Pilot Projects

Episode Notes UVA students interested in working on research with the Dark Matter Radio Telescope should email Professor Brad Johnson at bradley.johnson@virginia.edu The Jefferson Trust makes grants to innovative ideas that enrich the University of Virginia and the student experience. Any student, faculty, or staff member may apply for funding, with grants typically ranging between $1,000 and $300...

Episode Notes Pilot Projects is a Sound on Grounds podcast, produced with support from the Jefferson Trust. This episode was recorded by Sara Bastianelli and audio-engineered by Dalanda Diallo in the Robertson Media Center Audio Studio. The Pilot Projects show cover was designed by UVA alum Carina Velocci. Original music featured in the episode was written and recorded by Jason Evans Groth. If you...

Episode Notes Learn more about the Bits and Bytes course at https://vampiregames.org/   Here’s the UVA Today article mentioned in the episode: https://news.virginia.edu/content/class-dark-shadows-course-makes-game-creating-monsters Play some of the student-created games for free online at https://uvacs.games/ Sound on Grounds works in collaboration with WTJU’s Virginia Audio Collective. Check out...

Episode Notes Scientific discovery relies on trust, trust in data, in peers, and in the systems that vet and publish research. But what happens when that trust breaks down? This episode of Pilot Projects explores the alarming rise of academic fraud,  and the consequences these practices have for research, reputation, and public trust in science. We speak with Professor Matthew Bolton, a systems en...

Episode Notes This episode of Pilot Projects spotlights the Civil Discourse Initiative (CDI) at the University of Virginia, a student-led organization creating space for honest, good-faith political dialogue. With support from the Jefferson Trust, CDI hosts the “This Is (Not) a Debate” series—events where students with differing viewpoints come together to discuss complex issues, from tariffs to t...

Episode Notes Physical therapy and exercise coaching are commonly prescribed medical interventions and have long-lasting benefits for injury prevention and recovery and long-term health. However, accessing these interventions can be cost-prohibitive. The Fried Center for the Advancement of Potential, or FCAP, at the University of Virginia, is addressing this need by providing low-cost physical the...

Episode Notes What happens when students, faculty, and community leaders use data to reimagine justice—one spreadsheet, one policy, and one partnership at a time? This episode of  Pilot Projects  explores the  Criminal Justice Data Training Initiative (CJDTI)  at the University of Virginia's School of Data Science. With funding from the Jefferson Trust, Professor Peter Alonzi and his students work...

Become A Problem Solver, or BAPS at UVA, seeks to make your group projects a little easier. Katie Fidler, executive director and founder, talks to Sara Bastianelli about how her systems engineering major inspired her to create a service organization that helped other service organizations optimize their workflow. Furthermore, she chats about the systems engineering major as a whole, why it's cruci...

Episode Not Have you ever wondered why UVA is so beautiful, beyond being designed by Thomas Jefferson, who believed architecture itself could serve as a teaching tool? This episode takes listeners behind the scenes of the University of Virginia’s Office of the Architect, where a lead landscape architect and two interns share their experiences shaping and caring for UVA’s celebrated grounds. Togeth...

Episode Notes There are many benefits to having plants in workspaces: they can improve productivity, boost your mood, and generally make you and your workspace feel better. On this episode of Pilot Projects, University of Virginia undergraduate student Katherine Kearney describes her Jefferson Trust-funded project to place and care for plants in the Chemistry Building at the UVA. A full transcript...

Concussions are common injuries off the field, significantly impacting a student’s ability to operate for possibly weeks at a time. What if there was a way to reduce that, much like how your favorite quarterback can return to the field less than a week after being diagnosed with a concussion? On this episode of Pilot Projects, we sat down with Dr. Jacob Resch, associate professor in the department...

Episode Notes How many of us truly understand the benefits of healthy habits—small changes that over time, help us heal, grow, and better understand our bodies? On this episode of Pilot Projects, we sit down with Macy Stahl, a PhD student in kinesiology, who is launching the Women’s Lifelong Wellness Initiative. The program is designed to close persistent gaps in women’s healthcare by promoting ac...

Episode Notes What happens when a simple home-cooked meal becomes a source of comfort, healing, and community? On this episode of Pilot Projects we explore the Clean Plate Project, a student-led initiative at UVA that brings nutritious, homemade meals to families experiencing stressful medical situations. What started in 2024 with a handful of pre-med students has grown into a dedicated group of u...

Episode Notes The Alpha Kappa chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma is the one and only professional chemistry fraternity at UVa! We are a diverse and close-knit group of men and women from various fields of study and different backgrounds in education united by a passion for chemistry and science. We aim to promote an interest in science and chemistry throughout the Charlottesville-UVa community through a v...

Episode Notes What happens when student composers get to hear their music brought to life—by real musicians, in a real concert hall? This episode of  Pilot Projects  explores a new initiative at UVA that provides undergraduate composers the opportunity to write, revise, and showcase original compositions performed by professional musicians. With 17 world premieres, a packed house at Old Cabell Hal...

Episode Notes The UVA Speaking Center provides students with the highest quality service to assist them with their communication skills so that all Virginia students can realize their full oratorical potential. All of our services are provided free of charge to UVA students, made possible through the generous support of the UVA Jefferson Trust. Learn more about the Speaking Center at speakingcente...

Episode Notes The Virginia Student Film Festival establishes a prestigious annual event celebrating the creativity, talent, and dedication of student filmmakers across the nation. Taking place on April 6th, 2025, at the historic Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, the festival provided a platform to showcase over 15 short films, each under 20 minutes, during two screening blocks. The evening cul...

Pilot Projects is a new show created by the University of Virginia’s Sound on Grounds team. Sound on Grounds, and all of the projects featured in Pilot Projects are sponsored by the Jefferson Trust.   The Jefferson Trust makes grants to innovative ideas that enrich the University of Virginia and the student experience. Founded in 2006, the Trust has awarded over $16 million to 382 trustee-selected...