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From the Interim Vice President for Research
Throughout 2025, scholars at the George Washington University demonstrated resilience and purpose.
In a rapidly changing environment, our community led and contributed to research that addresses critical challenges, from improving maternal and infant health worldwide to shaping the future of artificial intelligence and building sustainable food systems. GW scholars published influential books, groundbreaking articles, and policy recommendations that informed real-world solutions. Our campus served as a dynamic hub for convening thought leaders and innovators, reinforcing GW’s role as a catalyst for ideas and dialogue that shape the future.
As the largest research university in the nation’s capital, GW continues to drive discovery and impact on a global scale. We invite you to explore the highlights below to learn more about some of the breakthroughs and partnerships that defined GW’s research enterprise in 2025.
Robert H. Miller
Interim Vice President for Research
Big Wins and Bold Moves
GW Charts a Bold Course for AI Across Campus
GW has launched a university-wide AI mapping initiative to shape a comprehensive strategy for research, teaching and operations, examining not only how AI can accelerate innovation but also the risks and responsibilities that come with it.
GW Research Funding Grows in FY25
Despite a rapidly evolving federal landscape, GW's sponsored research funding increased in FY25. To highlight the importance of continued federal investment in research, GW introduced Revolutionary Impact, a digital showcase demonstrating how federally funded research drives discovery, innovation and benefits for society.
GW joins AAAS as a Founding Institutional Member
In 2025, GW became a Founding Institutional Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), joining a global community committed to advancing innovation and discovery, celebrating scientific excellence, and advocating for science-informed decision-making.
By the Numbers
TOTAL RESEARCH EXPENDITURES*
$235M
70%
of research funding supports health and medicine research
Types of Sponsored Research (FY25)
50+
books published
544
aspiring entrepreneurs participated in GW's 2025 New Venture Competition
4,200+
publications, including 3,000+ peer-reviewed articles
GW is among the top 100 U.S. institutions granted utility patents
Research Shaping the Future
GW researchers continue to partner with communities, government and industry to solve pressing local and global challenges. In 2025, GW secured major new awards in key research areas.
HIV/AIDS
In 2025, GW secured more than $43 Million in renewed and new funding for HIV/AIDS research, including renewed support for the DC Center for AIDS Research, which GW leads in partnership with regional institutions.
Maternal and Infant Health
More than $32 Million in awards to the GW Biostatistics Center, as well as a major international study focused on maternal and newborn health, reinforce GW’s longstanding leadership in improving outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Artificial Intelligence
GW researchers secured more than $10 Million to support AI and AI-related research projects, including developing brain-inspired computing hardware to smarter systems that help humans and AI collaborate effectively in complex, changing environments.
Democracy and Civil Society
GW research initiatives, including from the Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics and the Multiracial Democracy Project, were awarded more than $12 Million to study combating misinformation, bolstering election integrity, and strengthening democratic values in education.
Cancer
GW cancer researchers received around $9 Million to study cancer growth and treatment resistance and to advance clinical trials aimed at improving cancer screenings for vulnerable populations.
Workforce Development
GW-led initiatives received more than $22 Million to strengthen the workforce across critical sectors, including programs to train long-term and acute care nurses beyond the DC Beltway and prepare vocational rehabilitation professionals to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Leading Global Conversations
In 2025, GW convened thought leaders, industry innovators and top researchers to tackle a range of pressing challenges, from how AI can be leveraged to shape the future workforce and strengthen human capital in low-income nations, to how we build resilient food systems, close the health and wealth gaps and shape the future of electric vehicles.
Food and Agriculture Policy Summit
GW’s Global Food Institute, Food Tank, The Culinary Institute of America and renowned chef and GFI founder José Andrés welcomed policymakers, researchers, advocates and experts to explore building better food systems at the first annual Food and Agriculture Policy Summit.
AI and the Future of Human Capital in the Global South
GW and The World Bank brought together experts to explore how AI innovations can address human capital challenges in low- and lower-middle income countries, applying research to real-world issues in education, health, jobs and social systems.
Research to Action for Economic Mobility, Health and Well-Being
GW’s Institute for Socioeconomic Opportunity held a daylong summit convening scholars, policymakers, and community leaders to advance action-driven research aimed at closing gaps in health, wealth, and well-being through collaborative, real-world solutions.
Electric Vehicles: Charging Ahead in Uncertain Times
GW’s Alliance for a Sustainable Future and the Environmental and Energy Law program brought together faculty and industry experts to discuss the future of U.S. electric vehicle and battery manufacturing and evolving tax and tariff policies.
GW Business and Policy Forum
GW’s third annual Business and Policy Forum brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the workforce and reshaping the future of leadership.
GW InnovationFest
GW’s inaugural InnovationFest showcased more than 150 projects from all 10 schools, bringing together scholars and inventors to highlight cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative solutions to global challenges.
Research Stories & Discoveries
Throughout 2025, we shared stories showcasing GW’s groundbreaking research. Here’s a look back at some of the stories and discoveries that defined the past year.
Rewriting Cancer's Script
Faculty in Focus: Heather Stebbins
The Particle Whisperers
'Magical' AI Perceptions and Receptivity
Protecting Privacy to Combat Authoritarianism
UTIs Linked to Contaminated Meat
Stone Tool Use in Early Humans
Anti-smoking Chatbots Provide (Mostly) Sound Advice
The New Space Race
Faculty in Focus: Shawneequa Callier
InnovationFest Showcases Breadth of GW Research
NVC Awards Funds for Startup Visions
Faculty Recognitions
In 2025, GW scholars earned prestigious honors, reflecting their excellence and impact across disciplines. Here are some of those recognitions.
Fulbright Scholars
Fulbright Scholar Awards for 2025–2026 were awarded to Catherine Cox (School of Nursing), Kimberly Rush (Office of Study Abroad), Jessica McCaughey (University Writing Program), and Aleksandar Jeremic (Columbian College of Arts and Sciences), who taught, conducted research and led projects in Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, Serbia and Northern Ireland.
National Academy of Medicine
Andrea A. Anderson (School of Medicine and Health Sciences) and Wanda K. Nicholson (Milken Institute School of Public Health) joined the newest class of National Academy of Medicine members. Membership in NAM is one of the highest honors in the health and medicine field.
NSF CAREER Awards
The National Science Foundation awarded, Zhengtian Xu (GW Engineering), Jimmy Saw (Columbian College of Arts and Sciences), Lien-Yung “Nyima” Kao (Columbian College of Arts and Sciences), and Yun Shen (GW Engineering) the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award, the federal agency's most prestigious award for early career researchers.
AALS Lifetime Achievement
GW Law’s Theodore Rinehart Professor of Business Law, Karen B. Brown, received the Association of American Law School’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her distinguished career in teaching, service, and scholarship.
New York Times’ Favorite Films
Jason Osder (School of Media and Public Affairs) was named to the New York Times’ list of favorite films from the past 25 years for his documentary, “Let the Fire Burn.” The documentary tells the story of a tragic operation by the Philadelphia police that resulted in 11 deaths.
2025 Stonewall Book Award
Annie Liontas (Columbian College of Arts and Sciences) won the 2025 Stonewall Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award, which honors outstanding LGBTQIA+ nonfiction. Liontas’s memoir, “Sex with a Brain Injury: On Concussion and Recovery,” explored how injuries can impact relationships.