February 2019
Productive discussion about research enterprise, strategic investment

Many of you were able to join me last month for a very productive discussion about the university's research enterprise and areas we are targeting for strategic investment. I appreciate all of your questions, comments, and suggestions. If you missed my presentation, it's available online at https://www.research.msstate.edu/rresources/pdf/21stcentury.pdf and I welcome your feedback at dshaw@research.msstate.edu.

David Shaw
David Shaw

David Shaw is vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University.

Breaking ground: SEC universities all receive highest research designation

In a first, all 14 member universities of the Southeastern Conference have achieved Carnegie R1-Very High Research Activity classification. It's another reminder that in athletics, academics, and in research, "It Just Means More" rings true in the SEC. I invite you to read more about this achievement in The Chronicle of Higher Education at https://bit.ly/2MUFC1o.

MSU, UIR continue to grow successful partnerships

The university's partnerships with the Universite Internationale de Rabat in Morocco continue to grow. Our work with UIR is a great example of MSU's global engagement efforts. You can read more about the latest developments at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4921.

Kudos and congratulations

Every month, I look forward to sharing faculty and staff success stories with you, and here are a few that have crossed my desk recently:

* Congratulations to Chief Human Resources Officer Judy Spencer, who recently announced that she is retiring this spring. Judy, it has been an honor to work with you, and all of us in the Office of Research and Economic Development wish you the very best.

* Kudos to Michele McDonnall, the director of the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, who has been honored by the American Foundation for the Blind with the 2019 Corinne Kirchner Research Award. Additionally, former director and long-time MSU faculty member and administrator Elton Moore has been honored by the AFB with a Migel Medal. Read more at https://prn.to/2I71XKy.

* Congratulations to Steve Demarais, Dale H. Arner Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, who as been named the Taylor Chair in Applied Big Game Research and Instruction in the College of Forest Resources. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4918.

* Kudos to Gnaneswar Gude, an associate professor in the Bagley College of Engineering's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who has been elected as an American Society of Civil Engineers Fellow.

* And a welcome to Chris Jenkins, who will be joining the Office of Research Security as export control officer in mid-March.

Final words

Thank you for taking the time to read this month's letter. You can learn more about our research and economic development initiatives at https://www.research.msstate.edu or keep up with us on social media at http://www.facebook.com/MaroonResearch or http://www.twitter.com/MaroonResearch.