{"id":93,"date":"2025-03-13T21:26:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T01:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/annual-report\/?page_id=93"},"modified":"2025-08-29T09:49:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T13:49:03","slug":"ensure-preeminence-in-research-scholarship-innovation-and-collaboration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/annual-report\/university-goals\/ensure-preeminence-in-research-scholarship-innovation-and-collaboration\/","title":{"rendered":"2. Ensure Preeminence in Research, Scholarship, Innovation and Collaboration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

ORI Research Administration and Funding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Commitment to research preeminence is evident across all ORI units. ORI\u2019s Integrated Support Services Center (ISSC) functions similarly to college-level research administration groups but with added complexity due to working across multiple OUCs, supporting over 30 active clients from multiple campus units, including those reporting to the Chancellor, Provost, and several Vice Chancellors. In FY25, this unit assisted with 169 proposals valued at $62 million total, and its clients received 154 awards totaling $54 million. This places the ISSC 3rd in award funding, 4th in awards received, and 5th in proposals submitted across the university. This team manages research administration for an extensive list of units beyond ORI units, underscoring its significant responsibility for NC State\u2019s interdisciplinary research activities, which are inherently more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n

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3rd in award funding<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
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4th in awards received<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
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5th in proposals submitted<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

System Engineering Research Center of the Department of Defense<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

NC State University has joined the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), a Department of Defense-affiliated national network. This collaboration highlights NC State\u2019s expertise in systems engineering research \u2014 particularly in developing trusted, field-ready complex systems \u2014 and positions the university to contribute significantly to an impactful national research ecosystem alongside over 20 other leading universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic development, proposal development and program launch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ORI identifies, promotes, and builds interdisciplinary teams to pursue large extramural funding opportunities. NC State faculty secured significant external funding in FY25 for innovative, interdisciplinary research projects that advance national priorities across power electronics, quantum computing, environmental health, sustainable agriculture, and genetics and genomics. Key awards are highlighted below:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Power Electronics<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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Advanced High-Voltage Silicon Carbide Power Switches, National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL): Dr. Subhashish Bhattacharya \u2013 This $7.8M project aims to create more efficient, thermally stable, and power-dense Silicon Carbide (SiC) power switches (6.5-10 kV) for defense and aerospace systems.
High Permittivity Dielectrics to Increase the Performance of III-Nitride Transistors, National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL): Dr. Spyridon Pavlidis \u2013 A $3.8M project focused on integrating high permittivity dielectrics into Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors to enhance breakdown voltage, reduce power loss, and enable higher-frequency operation for RF and power electronics.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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Quantum Computing<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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Achieving Quantum Utility with Hybrid Discrete-Continuous Variable Quantum Processors, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): Dr. Yuan Liu \u2013 This $10.6M project seeks to develop a unified hybrid quantum computing platform combining discrete-variable qubits and continuous-variable bosonic modes to solve complex problems in physical sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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Human Health and Environment<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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Advancing Environmental Health Science through Interdisciplinary Collaboration, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): Dr. Sue Fenton \u2013 A renewed $7.6M center focused on interdisciplinary research into how environmental exposures affect human health, covering areas like neurodevelopment, emerging contaminants, and climate.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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Genetics, Innovation, and Sustainability<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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A GIFT SEED – Accelerated Genetic Improvement of Fir through Sequencing, Economics, Extension, and Diagnostics, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Dr. Justin Whitehill \u2013 This $7.4M national project aims to modernize the U.S. Christmas tree industry by using advanced genomics and breeding to create fir trees more resilient to climate challenges, pests, and diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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AI and Data Science for Sustainable Agriculture<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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GRAD-AID for Ag – Graduate Training in Translational Convergent Research: Harnessing AI and Data Science for Sustainable Agriculture, National Science Foundation (NSF): Dr. Terri Long \u2013 A $3M graduate training program developing scientists skilled in AI and data science for sustainable agricultural solutions, bridging plant biology and computer science.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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Genetics and Genomics<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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Collaborative Research: OSIB \u2013 A Multi-Omic Evaluation of Innate Immune Responses Across Vertebrate Evolution, National Science Foundation (NSF): Dr. Jeff Yoder \u2013 A $1.53M interdisciplinary project exploring the evolution of immune systems across vertebrate species to understand fundamental biology related to health and disease.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

UNC System Office-Recognized Centers and Institutes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ORI oversees the research, service, and educational activities of NC State\u2019s 41 Centers and Institutes that are officially recognized by the UNC System. In FY25, key accomplishments included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n