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Research at SUNY – Past, Present and Future

Research at SUNY – Past, Present and Future. James A. Weyhenmeyer, Ph.D. Senior VP for Research October 6, 2008. Overview. Provide background on SUNY and its research enterprise Talk about strengths and challenges facing the research enterprise today

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Research at SUNY – Past, Present and Future

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  1. Research at SUNY – Past, Present and Future James A. Weyhenmeyer, Ph.D. Senior VP for Research October 6, 2008

  2. Overview • Provide background on SUNY and its research enterprise • Talk about strengths and challenges facing the research enterprise today • Discuss initiatives designed to help grow the research enterprise

  3. The System is Born • In 1948, Governor Thomas E. Dewey and the NYS Legislature combined 32 unrelated public institutions with 27,000 students into a single entity, the State University of New York, to give the state's residents a critical educational opportunity. • In 1951 The Research Foundation of State University of New York was established as a separate corporation to administer sponsored research programs for the University.

  4. The University Centers Emerge • University Centers – research institutions, with national and international stature, offering baccalaureate, masters, doctoral, and advanced professional degrees – were designated in the 1960s • 1960: Stony Brook • 1962: • Albany • UBuffalo (joined SUNY as a U Center) • 1965: Binghamton

  5. Some Research Milestones • 1989: University at Buffalo elected to the AAU – first SUNY school so honored • 1998: SUNY adopted "zero based" and performance driven budget allocation process. Campuses gained significant state funds for research in proportion to their success in attracting and renewing external grants • 2001: Stony Brook University elected to the AAU

  6. Examples of Past Discoveries • Chemist Paul Lauterbur pioneered the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for medical imaging in the early 1970s (Stony Brook) • The first human images produced by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were produced by MRI inventor Dr. Raymond Damadian (Downstate) • The first isolation of the spirochetal bacterium that causes Lyme disease, and the antibiotic regimen to combat it were developed at SUNY (Stony Brook)

  7. Recent Past Trend in Research Funding Source: National Science Foundation

  8. Recent Past (con’t.) Total Academic R&D Expenditures at Doctoral Granting Campuses SUNY Research Growth 1998-2007(dollars in thousands) SUNY doctoral campuses have substantially increased research productivity since 1998, the year the Board of Trustees initiated a research match in the University budget and implemented Mission Review with a focus on doctoral campuses in increasing research activity. Source: National Science Foundation

  9. Now (cont.) R&D Expenditures at Universities and Colleges Ranked by FY2007 Expenditures (dollars in thousands) Source: National Science Foundation

  10. Now (cont.) • Strengths • Committed university community – even in the face of tightening resources • Establishment of SUNY BOT URC committee • Public/private partnerships • RF flexibility at multiple operational levels • NYS’s push toward an innovation economy

  11. Now (con’t.) • Challenges • Budget – at all operating levels • Aging physical infrastructure – an important factor in attracting the “best and brightest” faculty • Significant focus on contract support • P&T policies that recognize entrepreneurship • The RF challenge – to be a forward thinking partner for SUNY (change as part of our culture)

  12. Examples of Current Discoveries • Recently, a UB chemistry professor, James Garvey, received significant federal funding to develop his patented BioBlower technology that rapidly removes biohazards from the air • A UB physician-researcher, Donald Hickey, patented a breakthrough device that monitors blood flow and volume, cardiac pumping ability, and heart valve function.

  13. Future • The Case for Research Investment • The US invests more than $50 billion (>$30 billion from NIH alone) annually in academic research • States and communities whose universities secure these grants reap enormous collateral economic benefits • The most successful universities have the strongest research faculties

  14. Future Federal obligations for research, by agency ($ millions) Source: National Science Foundation

  15. Future • The Case for Research Investment (con’t.) • “…New York’s leaders must embrace a new reality of global connectedness and competition, of accelerating idea creation and dissemination. New York has no choice…we must compete with many others on the cutting edge of ideas and innovation, or be left behind.” • “…outstanding research universities are key to the State’s future…SUNY…needs significant investment to become competitive with other states’ top public research universities.” Commission on Higher Education Report, 2008

  16. Future • Three keys to growing SUNY’s research enterprise • Add research faculty • Bring in more federal dollars • Make capital investments in the infrastructure

  17. Add Senior Research Faculty • Empire Innovation Program • Recruit (globally) faculty teams to build highly competitive, interdisciplinary research clusters • Focus on multi-campus collaborations around large research themes on areas of existing research strength • Provide competitive start-up resources to attract star faculty to quickly increase the funding base and serve as a magnet other faculty talent • Provide graduate and postdoctoral fellowships to support education and research in extant and emerging clusters

  18. Bring in More Federal Dollars • The federal government provides full overhead recovery (“indirect” or “facilities and administrative” costs). • For every million dollars in direct costs: • Federal returns $299,600 in overhead (29.96% ROR) • Business, Industry and Other returns $106,200 (10.62% ROR) • NYS returns $35,300 (3.53% ROR) • Overhead helps to support research infrastructure!

  19. Make Capital Investments in the Infrastructure From Chancellor Clark’s testimony to the NYS Legislature (1/08) • The Executive Budget recommended a new five-year capital plan for SUNY that provides a foundation for insuring progress in coming years. • An additional $1.6 billion in funding for strategic initiatives will allow SUNY to selectively expand and renovate facilities to support the enhanced research and instructional needs of the university. • Taken together, SUNY capital funding of $4.4 billion in new authorizations is a welcome beginning. We appreciate the capital funding recommendations and look forward to working with the Legislature on advancing this very important component of SUNY’s budget.

  20. Future Discoveries • Expect SUNY to be in the forefront of discoveries in: • Nanotechnologies and small scale systems packaging • Alternative energy • High performance computing • Medical diagnostics and therapeutics

  21. Conclusion • The large turnout for today’s workshop reflects SUNY’s strengths: • Talent/Ideas • Commitment • Diversity • These strengths will help grow SUNY’s research enterprise and build a bright economic future for NYS. • Thank you for joining us today

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