Health and Life Sciences
Research ranges from basic biotechnological sciences to applied areas such as bioengineering, human psychology and health policy to gain an understanding of complicated life processes and to use that information to enrich the lives of our citizens. Research excellence in biotechnology, which builds on the availability of complete sequences of genomes from plants, animals and microorganisms, includes plant and animal molecular biology and biochemistry, reproductive biology, genetics, neurosciences, and infectious diseases. Related research in bioengineering integrates this scientific base to develop processes, products and devices.

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Environmental and Natural Resource
Research in this area face issues that threaten the quality of life, human health, economic vitality and national security, and their solutions demand the cooperation of physical, biological and social scientists and engineers. To address these issues, research at WSU seeks to minimize the effect of environmental hazards through projects on air and water quality, biodiversity, environmental health, invasive species, climate change, environmental chemistry and microbiology, and hazardous waste.

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Physical and Computational Sciences and Engineering
Research in this area includes the fundamental science fields of chemistry, physics, earth, and materials science, and the engineering disciplines that are based on these scientific disciplines provides better understanding of the fundamental principles which govern the natural world, and facilitates new technologies based on this understanding. At WSU, such research is focused on the properties of materials at high temperatures and pressures inherent in shock physics, on the determination of material properties, including geologic materials, on atomic scales, and on the application of this information for the development of new materials, including those which use natural fibers such as wood.

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Arts, Humanities, Culture and Design
Research employs cultural-stylistic theory, technique, history, and critical analysis to increase the effectiveness of individual and collective creative expression and our interpretation and use of it. Through aesthetic judgment, applied theory, artistic productivity, and understanding of multiple languages and symbols, artists, humanists and designers contribute to and demonstrate our past, current, and emerging values. WSU research in archeology, ceramics, communication, vocal music and jazz, and several forms of writing illuminates past cultures side by side with contemporary creativity, confirming a quality of life in our state that attracts productive people.

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Security and Safety
WSU leads in research designed to ensure the Security and Safety of the nation's citizens, with strengths in four primary focus areas. First, WSU researchers have led and continue to develop technologies that ensure the integrity and security of electrical power transmission systems, so vital to the functioning of modern society . Secondly, a safe, secure food supply is a vital element in our nation's security.

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Society, Communication, and Learning
Productivity results from the application of statistical analysis, people-to-people engagement, conceptual-theoretical study, teaching, and learning. WSU's several focal research efforts emphasize economic viability, effective human interaction, and societal improvement. Our emphases in public policy and governmental services see application in local agencies and criminal justice as well as national and international-comparative politics. WSU's widely recognized work in social justice and equality encompasses issues of gender, race, age, religion, sexuality, disability and socio-economic status. Such work informs WSU's contributions to P-16 education in the state and nationally, print and other communication media, and the many state-wide partnerships facilitated by Extension faculty.

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Leadership, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Scholarly activities in a variety of fields enable our society to better understand the characteristics which underlie and enable effective Leadership, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. Because of their leadership in these research areas, our innovative faculty are able to educate successful, entrepreneurial leaders who have improved the quality of lives, created new jobs, and improved our state and nation's position in the global economy.

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