Research Highlights
2024 - 2025 Overview & Highlights
Grants Submitted: 71
2023 - 2024 Overview & Highlights
Grants Submitted: 70
Featured 2024 - 2025 Grants
PIE²RS (Partnership for Inclusivity in Engineering Education and Research for Space)
PIE²RS is a NASA‑funded, multi‑institutional initiative led by Principal Investigator Dr. Youssef Hamidi in collaboration with the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and NASA’s Johnson Space Center. With UHCL senior personnel Dr. Hakduran Koc and Dr. Kazi Billah, the $239,996 project aims to broaden diversity and strengthen retention in space‑related engineering programs using evidence‑based support strategies that guide students through critical academic years. PIE²RS also advances research by developing new infrastructure and technologies for space exploration in direct partnership with Johnson Space Center, preparing students for impactful careers in the aerospace sector.
Expanding Autism Services in the Houston Area
Funded by Texas Health and Human Services at $483,488, this project expands the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at UHCL through significant enhancements to the ABA‑SkIP and Severe Behavior Clinic programs. Under the direction of Principal Investigator Dr. Dorothea Lerman and Co‑PI Dr. Jennifer Fritz, the initiative strengthens individualized, caregiver‑partnered treatment plans that target 3 - 4 key goals in communication, adaptive skills, social skills, and reducing challenging behavior, increasing access to high‑quality services for children with autism and their families.
Advancing Engineering Education with Metal Additive Manufacturing
Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Kazi Billah and Co‑PI Dr. Youssef Hamidi, this National Science Foundation–funded project ($197,874) will bring a state‑of‑the‑art Direct Energy Deposition (DED) Metal 3D Printer to campus to elevate undergraduate engineering education. By integrating advanced additive manufacturing technology directly into coursework and lab experiences, the initiative will provide students with valuable hands‑on learning, strengthen technical competencies, and better align their training with regional industry needs. The project also enhances collaboration with local industry partners, ensuring students gain relevant experience that supports workforce readiness and innovation in manufacturing.
Featured 2023 - 2024 Grants
Texas State Library & Archive Commission LIS Tuition Grant
The College of Education's Dr. Sheila Baker received $25,000 to offer scholarships for rural Texas teachers to pursue a master’s in School Library and Information Science. This grant promotes educational access, diversity, and enhanced library resources in rural areas.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Autism Grant Program - Parent- Directed Treatment
Faculty members from the College of Human Sciences and Humanities Behavior Analysis program have received received $500,000, totaling $2.8 million since 2016, for the “Connecting the Dots” program. Led by Drs. Jennifer Fritz and Sarah Lechago, the program has helped over 500 Houston families with autism, providing internships and winning the STAR Award from Clear Creek ISD’s Special Education PTA.
NASA Science Mission Directorate Bridge Program Seed Funding
Faculty from the College of Science and Engineering secured $300,000 from NASA's Bridge Program to research space materials and microbiomes. This funding highlights UHCL’s key role in space research and aims to develop future NASA JSC workforce.