June 24, 2021
by Jere W. Morehead, President
The fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) underpin advancements in human health, environmental sustainability, economic development, and other essential areas. With renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, the University of Georgia is conducting pioneering research in the STEM fields and educating the next generation of academic and industry leaders.
This year, three UGA faculty members—Drs. Mary Ann Moran, Greg Robinson, and Marshall Shepherd—were elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the highest honor a U.S. scientist can receive. The University of Georgia is also home to 18 Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholars, with two more arriving this fall, who are driving cutting-edge discovery and innovation in a variety of STEM fields. In addition, numerous faculty hiring initiatives launched since 2014 have brought to UGA a host of elite, world-class scholars in disciplines ranging from vaccinology to informatics.
Research taking place in our centers and institutes, such as the Center for Molecular Medicine and the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, is at the forefront of scientific inquiry. Soon, new and renovated facilities will further increase our STEM capabilities. Phase I of the Interdisciplinary STEM Research Complex will be completed this fall, while Phase II of the project is underway. In all, the I-STEM Research Complex will provide over 200,000 square feet of new space for research and innovation, boosting the impact of STEM faculty and attracting the nation’s most talented graduate students to our campus. Additionally, the final phase of renovations to the Driftmier Engineering Center are underway, and modernization of facilities on Science Hill has commenced, further enhancing instructional space in the STEM fields.
The University of Georgia is committed to securing a healthier and more prosperous future for our state, nation, and world. With expanding physical resources and talented faculty and students, we will be better positioned than ever to achieve this aim.