Prem Paul, vice chancellor for research and economic development, opened the UNL Research Fair today by recognizing faculty accomplishments and outlining the university’s progress toward meeting research expenditures goals.
“There is one day I look forward to each year, and that day is today because we can say thanks to each one of you for the great work you have done,” Paul said during the faculty recognition breakfast in the Nebraska Union. “This is my favorite day because we can promote and recognize the research and creative activity that takes place here on our campuses. And, we also get to learn about issues and trends in research funding.”
In his 2011 State of the University address, Chancellor Harvey Perlman outlined ambitious six-year goals for UNL. Those goals included expanding total research expenditures to $300 million annually and growing federal research expenditures to $150 million annually. Paul said UNL is on its way to meeting those figures.
“In the second year of our (Research and Economic Growth Initiative), our total research expenditures have increased to just over $253 million,” Paul said. “We are well on our way to meeting that goal.”
Paul said budget reductions in Washington, D.C., resulted in a slight decline in federal research expenditures at UNL to $105 million.
“The federal situation continues to challenge us and other research universities nationwide,” Paul said. “However, I am confident that we will reach our goal because we have you.”
UNL Research Fair activities kicked off at 8 a.m. Nov. 6 with the faculty recognition breakfast. Following breakfast, faculty are encouraged to attend Proposal Review Panels: How You Can Serve and What You Can Learn at 9 a.m., led by UNL faculty with experience serving on federal review panels. Concurrent sessions focus on defense-related research, and National Science Foundation and National Institute of Mental Health research funding and priorities.
· Defense-Related Research Opportunities at UNL at 10:30 a.m. in the Nebraska Union includes presentations from Kurt Preston, associate vice chancellor for research, and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Hinson, University of Nebraska National Strategic Research Institute.
· NSF events also begin at 10:30 a.m. in Mabel Lee Hall with “Recent NSF-EHR Developments and Funding Opportunities,” a Skype presentation by Barry Sloane, Education and Human Resources Directorate.
· The National Institute of Mental Health is the focus of “Finding Your Way at NIMH: Funding Opportunities and Peer Review Process” at 10:30 a.m., presented by Christopher Sarampote, Office of Training and Career Development, and Aileen Schulte, Extramural Review Branch. The session is at the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior. Enter through the stadium’s southeast entrance facing Avery Hall.
· An 11:45 a.m. NSF working lunch at the Wick Alumni Center includes a presentation on conducting NSF-funded research by Tyrone Mitchell, Division of Chemistry. Registration is required.
· At 1:30 p.m. in the Wick Alumni Center, Defense Research Symposium: Growing UNL’s Defense Research Portfolio features presentations on basic and applied research opportunities from national experts Bruce LaMattina, Rutgers University; Ed Tovar, InTechSys LLC; and Wallace Buchholz and Christopher Stoik, UNL.
· “Recent NSF-Biological Sciences Developments and Funding Opportunities” is presented by Michele McGuirl, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, via Skype at 1:30 p.m. in the Beadle Center.
Visit the event website to view the full schedule and registration forms. The fall Research Fair continues Nov. 7. View daily event photos on Facebook and use the hashtag #UNLRF to join the discussion on Twitter.
