Overview
MSU scientists, scholars and artists pursue excellence in service to the common good as they generate new knowledge and apply it in practical ways to address complex societal problems. They look for answers to fundamental questions that lay the groundwork for solutions to problems decades in the future. They also study our histories and cultures to assure new knowledge is informed by our collective and unique experiences as part of the larger society.
To continue to lead, we must aggressively pursue external resources and partnerships that give us the platforms necessary to develop solutions to the big problems that confront us globally. We will elevate visibility of the arts at MSU, enriching the student experience and deepening learning with opportunities for creative expression and engagement with cultural experiences. We will seek like-minded partners to expand our scope and reach, support multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary grant proposals that span the sciences, arts and humanities, and forge new partnerships with industry to commercialize MSU inventions and enhance economic impact.
In order to meet our aggressive goals, we will organize research around the following objectives:
Objective 1
Demonstrate excellence in science, scholarship and creative endeavors, both in pursuit of fundamental knowledge and research designed to improve the human condition and address problems of today and to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.
Objective 2
Invest in research to advance partnerships that increase economic development and opportunity in our region and beyond and that helps understand, shape and improve the future of work and the workforce.
Objective 3
Develop and implement new strategies to recruit and retain highly talented and more diverse student and faculty researchers and scholars across all disciplines.
Metrics
- Total annual research expenditures to reach $1 billion by 2030
- Total number of faculty in national academies and other distinguished academic societies (increase)
- QS World University Rankings — U.S. universities, agriculture and forestry ranking (increase to top 5 globally)
- Faculty in leadership/advisory roles in key federal and state agencies (increase)
- Multidisciplinary research projects/initiatives/activity in global grand challenges priority areas (increase)
- Number of undergraduate students involved in research programs in multiple disciplines (increase)
- Training grant programs for graduate students (increase)
Executive Sponsors
Norman Beauchamp - Executive VP for Health Sciences
Doug Gage – VP for Research and Innovation
Thomas Jeitschko, Provost and Executive VP for Academic Affairs
Convenors
Doug Gage – VP for Research and Innovation
Thomas Glasmacher – FRIB Laboratory Director, Interim Executive VP for Administration
Workgroup Members
This faculty group also serves as an advisory committee to the Vice President for Research and Innovation.
Devon Akmon, Director, MSU Museum and MSU Science Gallery
Titus Awokuse, Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Partnerships International Studies and Programs (ISP).
Federica Brandizzi - MSU Foundation Professor, Department of Plant Biology; College of Natural Science, Science Director of the MSU-DOE Plant Research Lab
Christina Chan – Chairperson of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and Professor Department of Computer Science and Engineering; College of Engineering, and University Distinguished Professor Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; College of Natural Science
Jiquan Chen – Professor, Department Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences; College of Social Science
Kay Connelly, Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation, MSU Research Foundation Professor in Computer Science & Engineering
Kendall Mahn - Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy; College of Natural Science
Evonne Pedawi - Director, Contract and Grant Administration
Amy Ralston - James K. Billman, Jr., M.D. Endowed Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; College of Natural Science
Quinetta Roberson - John A. Hannah Professor of Management and Psychology; Broad College of Business and the College of Social Science
Michael L. Stokes - Assistant Vice President, Office of Financial Planning and Budget
Bruno Takahashi - Brandt Associate Professor of Environmental Communication, School of Journalism and AgBioResearch, Research Director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism.
Kurt Zinn – Professor, Departments of Radiology, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering; Colleges of Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering
Communication Support
Melanie Kauffman - Sr. Communications Manager, Research and Innovation
Please direct any questions to kauffm59@msu.edu or call 517-355-0306.