RASL’s Director, Dr. Nilanjan Sarkar, awarded NSF Research on Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Learning (RITEL) Grant
Vanderbilt researchers, led by Professor Nilanjan Sarkar, have received a $900,000 National Science Foundation grant to explore AI-driven solutions aimed at enhancing communication between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals. The project, supported by NSF’s Research on Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Learning (RITEL) program, focuses on addressing the communication barriers, known as the “double empathy problem,” that hinder collaboration between these groups. Through the development of an AI-based virtual environment, AiCoVE, the team aims to improve cross-neurotype teamwork and problem-solving, helping more neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism, enter and thrive in STEM careers.
This work will be done in collaboration with Frist Center Director Keivan Stassun; Frist Center Associate Director David Caudel; Frist Center Deputy Director of Business Innovations Tim Vogus; and Frist Center Fellow Nigel Newbutt, School of Teaching and Learning, University of Florida.
Congratulations to Dr. Sarkar and the rest of the team! We are excited to see this work thrive.
Read more about this in the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering News!