On February 19, leaders from government, academia, and industry came together at the Ohio Statehouse not just to reflect, but to highlight the future of research and innovation in Ohio.
Celebrate Ohio!, hosted by the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN), showcased cutting-edge technologies and partnerships that are driving economic growth, national defense innovation, and research excellence. The event brought attention to OFRN’s critical role in connecting institutions and catalyzing impact across Ohio.
“And as we lead in job creation in these areas, we must also lead in research,” said Mike Duffey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. “That’s exactly why OFRN is so important.”
From Groundbreaking Research to Real-World Impact The event highlighted Round 6 OFRN-funded projects, with teams presenting their technologies to an audience that included members of the Ohio Legislature, federal partners, academia, and representatives from ODHE, JobsOhio, and the Governor’s Office.
“Strong, meaningful research that benefits our entire nation in Ohio is also job creation,” Duffey said. “It not only creates jobs in performing the research but also becomes the seed that germinates an entire ecosystem of companies that support our national mission and the state of Ohio’s economy.”
Table displays highlighted innovations from Ohio’s universities, small businesses, and research institutions, while speakers emphasized how public-private-academic partnerships are strengthening the state’s national and global competitiveness.
Key Messages from Featured Speakers: Mike Duffey, Chancellor, Ohio Department of Higher Education
Emphasized the economic impact of research and OFRN’s role in job creation
Highlighted the connection between innovation and workforce development
Rodney Rogers, President, Bowling Green State University
Underscored the value of linking university research to national and industry needs
Timothy Bunning, Chief Technology Officer, Air Force Research Laboratory
Highlighted OFRN’s role as a central hub for aligning federal goals and fostering coordinated, cross-agency collaboration over the past decade
Dean Zody, CEO, GhostWave Inc.
Represented the small business perspective and value of OFRN-funded collaborations
Tehran Davis, Senior Research Scientist, Kairos Research
Shared how collaboration with Wright State and Sinclair has led to lasting research opportunities
Maj. Gen. Mark Bartman (Ret.), VP for Advanced Development, Parallax Advanced
Research and Ohio Aerospace Institute, representing OFRN
Discussed OFRN’s role in aligning federal priorities with regional research strengths
Their collective message: collaboration between research institutions and federal agencies isn’t just a smart strategy—it’s essential.
“The creativity you’re hearing about from those individuals that are part of these projects makes me pretty excited about where the puck is headed,” said Rodney K. Rogers, Ph.D., president, Bowling Green State University pointing to the real potential for innovation when research is deeply connected to industry and national needs.
A Hub for Connections—And Growth
Many attendees spoke to OFRN’s success in convening the right people at the right time to drive innovation.
“OFRN has served as a nucleus over the last 10 years—bringing federal partners together, aligning future goals, and synthesizing that into coherent, cross-agency activities,” said Dr. Timothy J. Bunning, chief technology officer, Air Force Research Laboratory.
The project teams present shared how their collaborations, supported by OFRN funding, have already opened doors for additional research, commercialization opportunities, and continued federal partnerships.
“It’s not just about the projects themselves—it’s about the partnerships that are forming,” said Tehran Davis, Ph. D., senior research scientist, Kairos Research “The work we’ve been doing with Wright State and Sinclair has translated into other opportunities… and those partnerships will exist long after this particular project is over.”
Looking Ahead As OFRN continues to fund and support innovative solutions across Ohio, Celebrate Ohio! was a reminder of what’s possible when strong research, strategic funding, and shared vision come together. It was also a signal to the broader innovation community: Ohio is not just participating in the future of technology—it’s helping lead it. With support from state and federal leaders, and a growing network of innovators across the region, OFRN is poised to continue driving progress in 2025 and beyond.
With Round 7 now open, research teams, small businesses, and federal collaborators have the opportunity to join the next phase of innovation. Final submissions are due April 28.
Learn more about Round 7 funding priorities, eligibility, and how to apply, visit ohiofrn.org.
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About Ohio Federal Research Network The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) has the mission to stimulate Ohio’s innovation economy by building statewide university-industry research collaborations that meet the requirements of Ohio’s federal laboratories, resulting in the creation of technologies that drive job growth for the State of Ohio. The OFRN is a program managed by Parallax Advanced Research in collaboration with The Ohio State University and is funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects. More information on both organizations can be found at Parallax and OAI websites.
