Graduate Student Research
Shape the future as a graduate researcher in AAD
Our graduate students bring advanced skills, fresh ideas, and the drive to push boundaries and create knowledge with real-world impact. With access to leading faculty, specialized facilities, and interdisciplinary collaboration, you’ll find the support to deepen your expertise and expand the reach of your work.
Consider Avery Gendell, a master’s student in architecture, whose research explored mycelium-based composites as sustainable alternatives for consumer product design. With funding from the college, Gendell experimented with advanced molding techniques and learned how to maintain focus and overcome setbacks. “Don’t get discouraged when things go wrong; you often learn more from failures than from successes, and learning is what research is all about,” Gendell said.
Advance your research with an AAD college grant
Graduate-level research often demands specialized tools, materials, and time for exploration. The college supports this work through the Student-Initiated Research Grant (SIRG) program, which provides up to $750 for original research or creative projects. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, graduate students can apply for funding to test new methods, prototype designs, or expand the scope of ongoing work.
Recent graduate projects have included:
- Exploring the Restorative Potential of Indoor Acoustic Environments Through Real-Time Auralization
- Biomimicry in Architecture Using Algae-Based Material Composites to Create a Building Skin
- Kinetic Facade Design Utilizing Polarization Technology for Indoor Light Control
Watch for announcements in the fall; the application deadline is typically mid to late September.
Architecture student embraces deaf community in design and in life
Kim Le, an architecture graduate student who studied at the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, chose deaf architecture for the topic of her master’s thesis. Going beyond conventional research, she learned American Sign Language and is active in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area deaf community. “I think my thesis in a way has changed my life. By being fully immersed in the deaf community, I just have a completely different perspective now,” said Le.
Who will guide your research journey?
Finding the right faculty mentor is key to your graduate success — they’ll help shape your research, open doors to opportunities, and support you as you grow into an independent scholar. If you’re searching for a collaborator who shares your research interests, try these resources:
- Virginia Tech Experts – Search by name or keyword
- School faculty pages for Architecture, Design, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts (browse all faculty)
Virginia Tech offers more graduate resources—see what’s available
In addition to AAD faculty mentors and research grants, Virginia Tech offers a range of resources to help you succeed. The Graduate Research Development Program provides competitive funding for research expenses, while the Graduate School’s funding resources page highlights fellowships, assistantships, and other opportunities to support your graduate journey.