Published: Sep 14, 2025 by Dr. Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca

[Dr. Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca is the Faculty Associate Dean at the College of Information, Data and Society. CIRI had the pleasure of interviewing her about her recent grant about CyVerse.]

1. Can you tell us about your grant from Honda? 

Honda’s contribution supports the development of CyVerse, an immersive Cybersecurity Metaverse that uses Extended Reality (XR) to educate and train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. The program is designed to welcome users, no matter their background or where they live, making cybersecurity education more accessible, engaging, and exciting for everyone.

2. What are the main goals or expected outcomes of your project, and how might they contribute to the broader field?

The project’s main goals are to build strong foundational cybersecurity knowledge, spark interest in cybersecurity careers, provide hands-on training through realistic simulations, and align with national cybersecurity standards. The ultimate outcome is to develop the next generation of cybersecurity professionals; individuals who are not only technically skilled but also prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape. By taking an immersive and accessible approach to cybersecurity education, CyVerse seeks to make a lasting impact on the field.

3. What does receiving this grant mean for your research, both in terms of resources and recognition?

Receiving this grant is both exciting and incredibly meaningful for my work. On a practical level, it gives me the resources needed to really bring CyVerse to life, from building an immersive XR environment to developing engaging, hands-on cybersecurity content that users can interact with. Beyond the funding, it also feels like a strong vote of confidence in the direction of my research. It’s exciting to see strong support for creative, XR-driven approaches to cybersecurity education. This contribution also opens the door to new industry partnerships and helps me share my work with a wider community, which is both rewarding and energizing.

4. Were there any challenges or surprises during the grant application process that stood out to you?

Interestingly, I didn’t find that there were any particular challenges or surprises during the grant application process. The proposal came together smoothly, and the goals of the project aligned naturally with the priorities of the funding opportunity. In many ways, the process reinforced my confidence in the project itself. It felt like the right idea at the right time. That clarity helped make the application feel straightforward, allowing me to focus on presenting the vision for CyVerse in a clear and compelling way.

5. What advice would you give to other researchers who are thinking of applying for similar grants? 

My advice would be to start by clearly defining the “why” behind your project. Ask yourself: What problem are you solving, who does it impact, and why it matters right now? Once that vision is clear, it becomes much easier to show how your work connects to the priorities of the grant.

I’d also suggest researchers keep their proposals focused, practical, and innovative. I believe reviewers appreciate creative, “outside the box” ideas, but they also want to see that your plan is realistic and achievable. Collaboration is another important piece. Having a strong, knowledgeable team not only strengthens the proposal but also helps you think about the project from multiple perspectives. And finally, don’t underestimate the power of a clear and compelling narrative. Even highly technical projects benefit from a strong narrative that highlights the human impact of the work and demonstrates how it can create opportunities for people who might not otherwise have access to them.