In its 2022-23 fiscal year, the University of Oregon embarked on a journey of innovation, discovery and achievement that marked another year of research growth and success for the institution.
Compared to the previous fiscal year, the UO saw a 0.3% increase in funding and was given $180.2 million in grants, contracts and awards according to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation’s reports and metrics.
This increase showed through a myriad of achievements from faculty of all levels for their work. Honorable mentions include Professor Shannon Boettcher, named the Blavatnik National Laureate in Chemistry, and professors of economics and physics Trudy Ann Cameron and Raghuveer Parthasarathy, named fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, according to the OVPRI’s annual research roundup article.
Along with honors and awards, the year showed many new developments that collectively enhance the university’s standing as a prominent public research university and provide spaces for students, communities and policymakers to learn. Some of these spaces include the development of the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center;, providing leading research, training and connections across the Cascadia Subduction Zone;, and the Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice, which will help Oregon better prepare for wildfire smoke incidents as reported by the article.
Vice President for Research and Innovation Anshuman Razdan shared in the article how these new developments support the university in “training the next generation, fostering a culture of creative excellence, and contributing to research that helps communities make decisions about major events.”
With a strong foundation of research, the university was able to welcome much innovation according to the OVPRI’s annual innovation roundup article, reporting 31 new innovation disclosures and 26 newly filed patents, showing growth in the university’s development and commercialization of new ideas.
Moreover, the UO unveiled Launch Oregon, LLC and the Translational Opportunity Program and Fund in March of 2023. Both programs will function to “accelerate the translation of research and innovation into commercial ventures.” With these developments come the hope of an increase in momentum for innovation in the year ahead.
Beyond these achievements, the university continues to boast its commitment to “recruiting and retaining diverse scholars and preparing them to be the next generation of leaders,” as stated in the innovation article. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, this looked like renewing the Genetics Training Program for graduate students, receiving funding to develop a new Global Public Humanities Undergraduate major and launching the Hui Undergraduate Research Scholars program.
The Hui Undergraduate Research Scholars program is a 12-month commitment that aims to support undergraduate students from historically marginalized communities with a $15,000 fellowship award and aids in research engagement, financial support and professional development.
UO sophomore Valerie Owusu-Hienno, one of 10 recipients from the 2023-24 program, has been working as a research assistant for Professor Kate Mills’ Developing Brains in Context Lab since the spring term of her freshman year.
“I am very, very thankful the university has so many wonderful options for people who need funding while they are doing research,” she said.
Owusu-Hienno is currently in her last term of the 2023-24 program and hopes to continue working in the Mills Lab after the program’s end.
“My biggest takeaway was definitely seeking mentorship,” she said about her experience in the program so far. “Whatever your goal is, look for the people who have already gotten there, because they have so much wisdom.”
Student applications for the 2024-25 program will be due on Feb. 4. To learn more about UO’s research endeavors and more opportunities for students, visit the OVPRI’s website at research.uoregon.edu.
Compared to the previous fiscal year, the UO saw a 0.3% increase in funding and was given $180.2 million in grants, contracts and awards according to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation’s reports and metrics. (Devoulin/Emerald)
