Pilot Projects

Exploring the Universe: The Dark Matter Radio Telescope with Dr. Brad Johnson

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 $300,000. Grants have been made to every school; and many University organizations, centers, or institutes have received grants. To learn more about the Jefferson Trust and their upcoming grant cycle, visit jeffersontrust.org [http://jeffersontrust.org] . Pilot Projects is a Sound on Grounds podcast, produced with support from the Jefferson Trust. Sound on Grounds works in collaboration with WTJU’s Virginia Audio Collective. Check out more Sound on Grounds podcasts at  virginiaaudio.com [http://virginiaaudio.com].  This episode of Pilot Projects was engineered, written, and edited by Sara Bastianelli. The Pilot Projects’ show cover was designed by UVA alum Carina Velocci.  All music used in this episode was written and recorded by Jason Evans Groth.

From Grounds to the Supreme Court: Moot Court w/ Yanni Aknine, Kirby Westerfield, and Sebastian Ghersi

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 are an undergraduate looking to find out more about Moot Court at UVA, follow them on Instagram @uvamootcourt.

Bits & Bytes with Mark Sherriff and Stanley Stepanic

EPISODE NOTES Learn more about the Bits and Bytes course at https://vampiregames.org/ [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 [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/ [https://uvacs.games/] Sound on Grounds works in collaboration with WTJU’s Virginia Audio Collective. Check out more Sound on Grounds podcasts at https://www.virginiaaudio.com/soundongrounds [https://www.virginiaaudio.com/soundongrounds]. The Pilot Projects’ show cover was designed by UVA alum Carina Velocci.  Music in this episode includes: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor By Johann Sebastian Bach (1703-1707) Futility of Swimming by Jason Evans Groth (2025) Audio clips in this episode include: Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) Twilight (2008) Sinners (2024) Arcade Akumajou Dracula (2008) Castlevania Symphony of the Night Opening (1997) Night Trap (1992) Vampirina (2017)

Safeguarding Science: Developing Tools to Prevent Scientific Fraud with Dr. Matthew Bolton

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 engineer at the University of Virginia, who shares the origins of a new scientific fraud initiative aimed at identifying and addressing misconduct in academic publishing. Professor Bolton reflects on what first drew him to this work, recounts personal experiences that revealed just how pervasive the problem has become, and discusses the difficult balance between innovation, competition, and integrity in research. For students interested in opportunities to research scientific fraud, contact Dr. Matthew Bolton at mlb4f@virginia.edu [mlb4f@virginia.edu] Sound on Grounds works in collaboration with WTJU’s Virginia Audio Collective and is based in Clemons Library at UVA. Check out more Sound on Grounds podcasts at http://virginiaaudio.com/soundongrounds [http://virginiaaudio.com/soundongrounds].  The Pilot Projects show cover was designed by UVA alum Carina Velocci. This episode was record by Sara Bastinelli and Jason Evans Groth, and edited by Dalanda Diallo, with original music written and recorded by Jason Evans Groth in the RMC audio studio.

Why Are We Bullying Each Other?: The UVA Civil Discourse Initiative's "This is (Not) a Debate" Series with Sabriya Sheikh and Christoph Schoer

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 the Gen Z gender gap, not to score points but to seek common ground. We hear from Sabriya Sheikh and Christoph Schoer, two student leaders from CDI, about how they’re reimagining disagreement as a collaborative act. Guided by kindness, curiosity, and a desire for accessibility, CDI helps students learn to disagree better; developing empathy, critical thinking, and the courage to change their minds. Follow the Civil Discourse Initiative on Instagram at @civildiscourseinitiative or connect on LinkedIn. Sound on Grounds works in collaboration with WTJU’s Virginia Audio Collective and is based in Clemons Library at UVA. Check out more Sound on Grounds podcasts at virginiaaudio.com/soundongrounds [http://virginiaaudio.com/soundongrounds]. The Pilot Projects show cover was designed by UVA alum Carina Velocci. This episode was engineered, written, and edited by Sara Bastinelli and Jason Evans Groth, with original music written and recorded by Jason Evans Groth.