DoW SciTechCONNECT Access Granted

“Access Granted” takes you behind the scenes of the Department of War’s most ambitious science and technology efforts – where discovery meets defense and innovation comes from every corner of the nation. Each episode spotlights the researchers, industry partners, and HBCU innovators driving breakthroughs that shape our national security future.

From campus labs to command centers, you’ll hear how ideas evolve into mission-ready capabilities and how collaboration across the Department fuels a stronger, more inclusive innovation ecosystem. This is Access Granted: your front-row seat to the people, partnerships, and progress powering the DoW’s science and technology enterprise.

Featured Episode

Featured: From Campus to Consortium: How HBCUs Are Powering National Research

In this episode of Access Granted, host Jason Preisser speaks with leaders from Jackson State University and Tougaloo College about how Mississippi HBCUs are participating in national security research through the Howard University-led University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). Guests Dr. Almesha Campbell, Dean Wilbur Walters, and Marta Collier Youngblood discuss their institutions’ work in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems, and how these efforts support student research, workforce preparation, and technology development. The conversation focuses on the role of cross-institution collaboration, partnerships with federal agencies and industry, and the practical considerations involved in conducting research at HBCUs within a UARC structure.

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Engineering Pathways – Dr. Jamel Ali on Expanding HBCU Leadership in Emerging Research Fields
How collaboration, mentorship, and visibility are shaping the future of HBCU innovation in defense science and technology. In this episode, Dr. Jamel Ali of FAMU–FSU College of Engineering shares insights on advancing HBCU leadership in biomedical engineering, nanorobotics, and national security research.
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Episode 2
Texas Southern University
In this episode of Access Granted, we spotlight Texas Southern University, a cornerstone of research growth in Houston and across Texas. Dr. Michelle John, Dr. Daniel Vrinceanu, and Dr. Mark Weatherspoon share how TSU is: Building the infrastructure needed to compete for Department of War research awards; Addressing gaps across HBCUs in defense research capacity; Leveraging Houston’s position as an energy, aerospace, and defense hub; And forging partnerships that deliver real impact.
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Investing in Capacity with Dr. Victor McCrary
In this episode of Access Granted, we sit down with Dr. Victor R. McCrary, former Vice President for Research at the University of the District of Columbia, to discuss how federal research investments are shaping the future of science and technology at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). From expanding research capacity to strengthening STEM pipelines, Dr. McCrary shares how UDC is advancing opportunities for students, building partnerships with federal agencies and industry, and contributing to the national security innovation ecosystem. Listeners will gain insight into the workforce outcomes of these investments, the unique strengths HBCUs and MSIs bring to the table, and where the greatest opportunities lie for the future of research and capacity building.
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Episode 2
Meet DoW SciTechCONNECT
Get a preview of what’s ahead. In this kickoff episode, we share what you can expect from the podcast, giving you a front-row seat to the people and ideas transforming defense innovation.
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