Research

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Research

The excellence and impact of faculty research have distinguished UMass as one of the top 50 research universities in the world. With more than $400 million in annual research funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, corporate partners, and other Federal and Private Foundations, the University of Massachusetts is:

• The third largest research university in Massachusetts
• The fourth largest research university in New England and
• The 35^th largest research university in the United States.

The faculty at the University of Massachusetts undertakes research that transforms learning and advances innovation, making an important and sizeable contribution to the social and economic development of the Commonwealth and beyond.

One characteristic of this dynamic research is its interdisciplinary focus. Some of the most exciting and rewarding discoveries occur at the interstices of disciplines such as the life sciences, nanotechnologies, artificial intelligence, polymers, psycholinguistics, and the environment. The research moves quickly from the laboratory to its applicable setting. Both undergraduate and graduate students benefit from the opportunity to engage with stellar faculty in these cutting edge explorations.

Research Expertise

Award-winning faculty members provide undergraduate and graduate students with research opportunities in a multitude of disciplines. Areas of expertise include:

• Nanotechnology, computer networking, food science, cell engineering and renewable energy at UMass Amherst;
• Environmental science and bioinformatics at UMass Boston;
• Marine science and bio-engineering at UMass Dartmouth;
• Advanced materials and nanotech manufacturing at UMass Lowell; and
• Clinical and translational science, gene silencing, diabetes, and HIV transmission at UMass Medical School (Worcester)

Emerging Opportunities

The University works with faculty and outside partners to capitalize on opportunities to expand research and scholarship across all intellectual fields. This includes developing new programs, making strategic investments to seed new research initiatives and assisting faculty in obtaining funding from sponsors.

A number of areas of emerging opportunity have been identified, including

• the life sciences,
• clean energy,
• advanced materials and
• information technologies and communications.

Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine: Interdisciplinary collaborations are key mechanism for building new programs. For example, a faculty working group was convened in 2006 to develop a strategy for advancing stem cell research and regenerative medicine at the University. Its proposal was delivered in early 2007 to the Board of Trustees, as well as to the Governor and served a starting point for discussion about new investment in research infrastructure. Read: A Strategy for Advancing Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Massachusetts

Life Sciences: In Academic Year 2007-2008, the University of Massachusetts Life Sciences Task Force (UMass LSTF) was established and charged with crafting a university-wide aspirant vision in the life sciences and promoting inter-campus collaboration. The Task Force and six working groups comprised of key faculty members, deans, and senior administrators across all five of the University's campuses were led by UMass Medical School Chancellor and University Senior Vice President for the Health Sciences Michael F. Collins, M.D.

The Task Force's focused and collaborative work resulted in a report that includes specific action-oriented recommendations for achieving the University's aspirations in this critically important field. Life sciences and biomedical research represent more than $200 million dollars of the University's approximately $400 million dollar total research portfolio.  

Read the University of Massachusetts Life Sciences Task Force report, "A University-wide Plan to Strengthen the Life Sciences and Promote Inter-campus Collaboration Over the Next Five Years"

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