April 22, 2021
by Jere W. Morehead, President
As a land-grant institution, the University of Georgia is committed to harnessing research to improve our quality of life. By growing UGA’s research enterprise and collaborating with partners around the world, we are making significant progress toward this vital goal.
UGA recently received the second largest research award in our institution’s history—a contract worth up to $92 million from the National Institutes of Health to establish a Center for Influenza Disease and Emergence Research. Scientists in the center will work to increase understanding of influenza virus emergence and infection while also making preparations to combat future outbreaks or pandemics. Directed by UGA faculty, the center will include partners at Boston Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the University of Rochester, and the University of Melbourne.
Working with partners across Georgia, UGA faculty are expanding research in rural parts of our state. This spring, the University held its first Rural Faculty Engagement Workshop, which included virtual sessions and a visit to a rural community. Faculty members learned about rural Georgia’s demographics and trends, high-impact community engagement practices, and existing UGA Public Service and Outreach and Extension networks with which they can partner to further support communities, small businesses, farmers, nonprofits, and local governments.
Collaboration with industry partners is leading to gains for UGA and society. We are once again ranked first among U.S. colleges and universities for the number of products developed by industry partners based on faculty research discoveries. New products include software and educational tools, research and laboratory tools, horticultural and commercial plant varieties, and animal health products such as vaccines that protect against pathogens affecting Georgia’s poultry industry.
As UGA’s research enterprise expands, we are increasing our positive impact on Georgia and the world.