Grand Challenges Research Investments
The University’s Great and Good 2030 Plan identifies five priority focus areas for research: Democracy, Environmental Resilience and Sustainability, Precision Medicine, the Brain and Neuroscience, and Digital Technology and Society. The Grand Challenges Research Investments are intended to make a substantial difference through large strategic investments—to move the needle and not just fund business as usual. We plan to focus on opportunities that will have high impact, such as significant research infrastructure or new faculty (cluster hires or key leaders). We do not plan to support routine research expenses or replace externally sponsored research funding. This transformative new investment is designed to expand and complement our current research portfolio.
Similar to the University’s new differentiating $100 million investment in Democracy, UVA plans to make substantial commitments of up to $50 million each in two other key research areas in the 2021-22 academic year: Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability and the Brain and Neuroscience. We plan to follow with funding in Digital Technology and Society and Precision Medicine in the 2022-23 academic year.
Grand Challenges Brain and Neuroscience Forum
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November 9, 2021 - 12:30PM-6:00PM at the Rotunda Dome Room. Registration required.
Livestream link: https://youtu.be/T6InJ1ABs84
Agenda:
12:30-12:45 pm Opening Session/Welcome
12:45-1:30 pm Cognitive/Developmental Neuroscience – Early detection of intellectual and physical disabilities
- Moderator: Howard Goodkin, Professor (SOM)
- JC Cang, Professor, Biology & Psychology (A&S)
- Emily Solari, Professor, Reading Education, Director, UVA Reading & Phonological Awareness Literacy Screener (PALS); (SEHD)
- Sarah Kucenas, Professor, Biology (A&S)
- Mark Beenhakker, Associate Professor, Pharmacology (SOM)
1:30-1:50 pm Discussion
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1:50-2:00 pm Break
2:00-2:45 pm Autism: Molecules to Minds
- Moderator: Jaideep Kapur, Professor (SOM)
- Kevin Pelphrey, Professor, Neurology (A&S, SOM)
- Micah Mazurek, Professor, Education (SEHD)
- Adema Ribic, Assistant Professor, Psychology (A&S)
- Jack Van Horn, Professor, Psychology and Data Science (SDS and A&S)
2:45-3:05 pm Discussion
3:05-3:20 pm Jim Ryan, President
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3:20-3:30 pm Break
3:30-4:15 pm Conquering Challenges at the Intersection of Neuro-imaging and Neuroimmunology
- Moderator: Harold Sontheimer, Professor, Neuroscience (SOM)
- Tajie Harris, Associate Professor, Neuroscience (SOM)
- Ukpong Eyo, Assistant Professor, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia Neuroscience Department, (SOM)
- James Stone, Associate Professor, Radiology & Medical Imaging, Department of Neurological Surgery (SOM)
- Fred Epstein, Professor, Radiology & Biomedical Engineering (SEAS)
4:15-4:35 pm Discussion
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4:35-4:45 pm Break
4:45-5:30 pm Neurodegeneration: Causes, Treatments, and Societal Impact
- Moderator: Carol Manning, Professor, Neurology
- Ishan Williams, Associate Professor (Nursing)
- Mimi Riley (Law, ethics, and medicine)
- John Lukens, Associate Professor, Neuroscience (SOM)
- Heather Ferris, Assistant Professor, Endocrinologist (SOM)
5:30-5:50 pm Discussion
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5:50-6:00 pm Closing comments
6:00 pm Reception (Multipurpose Room)
Use IdeaNote to share ideas on Brain and Neuroscience topics discussed. Find instructions on how to set up an account and use IdeaNote here.

Grand Challenges Environmental Resilience and Sustainability Forum
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November 16, 2021 - 12:30PM-5:30PM at the Rotunda Dome Room. Registration required.
Livestream link: https://youtu.be/UutTla9AJeg
Agenda:
12:30 -12:45 pm Opening Session/Welcome
12:45-1:30 pm Climate Mitigation: Removing Carbon Through Technology, Behavior, and Policy
- Moderator: Mike Lenox, Professor, Senior Associate Dean & Chief Strategy Officer (Darden)
- Ellen Bassett, Professor, Urban and Environmental Planning (SARC)
- Lisa Colosi-Peterson, Associate Professor, Engineering Systems & Environment (SEAS)
- Scott Doney, Professor, Environmental Sciences (A&S)
- T. Brent Gunnoe, Professor, Chemistry (A&S)
- Deborah Lawrence, Professor, Environmental Sciences (A&S)
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1:30-1:55 pm Discussion
1:55-2:10 pm Break
2:10-2:25 pm Jim Ryan, President
2:25-3:10 pm Climate Adaptation: Resilient Cities
- Moderator: Karen McGlathery, Professor, Environmental Sciences (A&S); Director, Environmental Resilience Institute
- Brad Cantrell, Professor and Chair, Landscape Architecture (SARC)
- Jonathan Goodall, Professor, Engineering Systems and Environment; Associate Director, Link Lab (SEAS)
- Jenny Roe, Professor and Director, Center for Design and Health (SARC)
- Jay Shimshack, Professor, Public Policy and Economics; Associate Dean, Academic Affairs (Batten)
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3:10-3:35 pm Discussion
3:35-3:50 pm Break
3:50-4:35 pm Climate and Democracy
- Moderator: Leon Szeptycki, Professor of Law (Law)
- Willis Jenkins, Hollingsworth Professor of Ethics (A&S)
- Sallie Ann Keller, Division Director, Biocomplexity and Professor, Public Health Sciences (BI/SDS)
- Sally Pusede, Assistant Professor, Environmental Sciences (A&S)
- Barbara Brown Wilson, Associate Professor, Urban and Environmental Planning (SARC)
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4:35-5:00 pm Discussion
5:00-5:05 pm Closing comments
5:05 pm Reception (Multipurpose Room)
Use IdeaNote to share ideas on Environmental Resilience and Sustainability topics discussed. Find instructions on how to set up an account and use IdeaNote here.