Centers, institutes and labs
WSU’s many research units bridge disciplines to answer difficult questions
Research centers
Scientists in WSU’s research centers zero in on specific topics, uncovering new knowledge that empowers communities.
Arboretum and Wildlife Conservation Center
Hosts facilities devoted to wildlife ecology, conservation, and the study of biological diversity, including the WSU Bear Center, Endangered Species Lab, Large Carnivore Conservation Lab, Raptor Rehabilitation Program, and Wild Ungulate Facility. The woodland forest within the arboretum is managed as a wildlife sanctuary and includes rare native plants.
Bear Research, Education, and Conservation Center
The WSU Bear Research, Education, and Conservation Center is a one-of-a-kind facility that aims to provide information and the necessary understanding to conserve bears around the world.
The Provost’s report on the Bear Center can be found here; the VPR’s statement on the report can be found here.
Biomolecular X-Ray Crystallography Center (BXCC)
Provides biophysical and biochemical data for a wide range of research projects, and serves as a center of teaching and outreach.
Center for Behavioral Business Research
An interdisciplinary research and education center that unites industry leaders, academics, and students to study behavioral and consumer issues affecting modern organizations
Center for Cannabis Policy, Research, and Outreach (CCPRO)
Four specific themes have been identified to establish WSU as a global leader in cannabis research, policy, and outreach: improving health and well being, public policy and safety, economics, and agricultural research.
Center for Digital Scholarship and Curation
Fostering the creation of digital tools, projects, public programming, and educational opportunities, with an emphasis on ethical curation and collaborative scholarship
Center for Environmental Research, Education, and Outreach (CEREO)
Academic and industry leaders applying innovative technologies and management tools to the challenges of global climate change and environmental sustainability
Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
Applying innovative methods to foster entrepreneurial skills
Center for International Health Services, Research and Policy
Conducts international comparative analyses regarding health system priority areas, emphasizing low- or middle-income countries
Center for Non-Thermal Processing of Food
Exploring new methods in nonthermal food processing (processing methods that do not use heat)
Center for Precision Agricultural and Automated Systems
Developing research and educational programs in the areas of agricultural automation and precision farming
Center for Reproductive Biology
Provides opportunities for reproductive biologists across the Pacific Northwest to collaborate and learn from one another
Center for Social and Environmental Justice
Fostering analysis of social, economic, racial and environmental justice issues and promoting human rights and conflict resolution at the local, national and global levels
Center for the Study of Animal Well-Being
Aims to improve the well-being of animals, enhance the mutual benefits of human-animal interactions, and offer related educational programs
Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Conducting research and providing education on critical issues facing agriculture, such as climate change, energy and water security, and ways to make agricultural production systems more sustainable
Center for Transformational Learning and Leadership
Providing learning and leadership experiences that build essential success skills in three areas: foundation, integration and translation
A collaborative effort of scientists, researchers, nurseries, and growers, working to increase the economic sustainability of specialty crop production in the U.S.
Energy Systems Innovation Center
Uniting research faculty, business leaders, and governmental organizations to address the demand for clean, reliable energy, including using Smart Grid technology to make the power system more efficient, responsive, and secure
Francheschi Microscopy and Imaging Center
A research and educational facility for the imaging and ultrastructural study of biological and non-biological materials. Available to all WSU researchers and students, the Center provides electron microscopy and light microscopy equipment for observation and analysis of a diverse array of specimens.
Addressing economic, social, political, and technical problems that affect the competitiveness of Washington’s agricultural and related sectors
Intensive American Language Center
Teaches English as a second language and prepares international students for study at U.S. colleges and universities
Learning and Performance Research Center
Studies factors related to success in work and learning environments, develops and evaluates statistical and methodological innovations, and provides evidence-based evaluations of program interventions
Marriott Foundation Hospitality Teaching Center
Providing students in the School of Hospitality Business Management with experiential learning opportunities in a dining room, “business of wine” classroom, production kitchen, and culinary lab for instruction
Monoclonal Antibody Service Center
Researchers in the biological and biomedical sciences use the center’s technology to study the immune system and how microorganisms can cause disease. The technology is pivotal in vaccine development.
Murrow Center for Media and Health Promotion
Develops and evaluates health communication campaign strategies that make flexible use of a full range of media platforms to affect social development and quality of life
The only research reactor in the state of Washington
Pacific Northwest Center for Mestizo and Indigenous Research and Engagement
Conducting research to improve social, economic, educational, and political conditions for Latino/Mestizo and Native/Indigenous communities worldwide
Sleep and Performance Research Center
Studies sleep and wakefulness in normal people to answer critical questions about the effects of reduced and displaced sleep on mental performance and health
Smart Environments Research Center
Making the environments in which we live and work safer, healthier and more productive through advanced data analytics and adaptive systems
Social and Economic Sciences Research Center
Providing high quality survey research services to the University, to citizens, and to policy makers nationwide
State of Washington Water Research Center
Conducting and facilitating applied water-related research, educating future water professionals, and connecting the academic community, water resource managers, and water stakeholders
Translational Addiction Research Center
Explores the problem of drug addiction
Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Wenatchee
Housing the F. L. Overley Laboratory (horticulture, plant physiology, soil sciences, entomology, and plant pathology) and the USDA Tree Fruit Research Laboratory, among other laboratories and facilities, on 200 acres
University Center for Innovation and Value Creation
Offering technical assistance programs that give inventors and innovators relevant data and interpretation about market forces and whether their products have a good chance of succeeding
Washington Center for Muscle Biology
Seeks new treatments for muscle disease, helps translate research discoveries into life-changing remedies, and prepares future scientists to continue the quest
WSU Health Sciences STEM Education Research Center
Over 100 WSU researchers conduct collaborative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education research from early grades to graduate school, a vital aspect of social and economic opportunity. A key feature of this work is research that focuses on clinical education.
WSU Research and Extension Centers
Conducting research to sustain crop health and Washington growers’ productivity
Western Center for Risk Management Education
Provides tools and training to help farmers and ranchers establish long-term risk management strategies that will strengthen the economic viability of their enterprises
The WSU Center, Institute, and Collaborative Unit Registry can be found here.
Institutes
The research, education, and outreach activities of WSU’s institutes address critical problems worldwide.
Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service
A nonpartisan, cross-disciplinary center that advances the public’s understanding of democratic institutions, engages students in public service, and supports academic research to address society’s most vexing public policy challenges
Freight Policy Transportation Institute
Addressing the need for improved intermodal freight transportation, as well as policies and actions that can be implemented to lower operating costs, increase safety, and reduce environmental impacts
Hoops Institute of Taxation Research and Policy
Fostering cross-disciplinary exploration of tax policy
Institute of Biological Chemistry
Pursues fundamental research in the molecular biology and biochemistry of plants
Institute of Materials Research
Finding interdisciplinary answers to advanced materials science problems
A multi-disciplinary research organization with an emphasis on understanding condensed matter response at extreme conditions
International Business Institute
The hub of international educational programs in the Carson College of Business
Washington State Institute for Criminal Justice
Providing an objective outlet for policy and programming decisions that affect criminal justice agencies
Labs
Tests performed in WSU labs address critical challenges in many arenas.
Food and Environmental Quality Laboratory
Working to ensure the quality and safety of food, the long-term sustainability of our food-producing lands and surrounding environment, and the economic viability of the agriculture and food industries of Washington State
Laboratory for Atmospheric Research
Conducting air quality research, emphasizing biosphere/atmosphere interactions and regional air quality measurements and modeling
Laboratory of Astrobiological Investigations and Space Mission Planning
Investigating planets and moons within and beyond our Solar System and how these environments can serve as a potential habitat for microbial life
Molecular Biology and Genomics Core
Providing services and instrumentation to researchers in the fields of molecular biology, genomics, and proteomics
Neurocognition Science Laboratory
Bridging disciplines to examine factors that may impede or enable learning across the lifespan
Investigating the dynamics of bat and ball collisions to help regulating agencies better understand equipment performance through experimental testing and numeric models
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory
Identifies drugs that may be dangerous to dogs with the MDR1 gene mutation, which predisposes dogs to many adverse drug reactions. The VCPL conducts laboratory tests for the MDR1 gene and determines alternative drugs and doses for affected dogs.
Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL)
A full-service diagnostic reference facility that safeguards the health of livestock, pets, poultry, and fish in the Pacific Northwest and protects the public from zoonotic diseases, or animal diseases that can infect humans
Wildlife Habitat Nutrition Lab
Determines the food habits of both domestic livestock and wildlife and performs chemical analyses on plants eaten by those animals, seeking to develop methods for predicting the nutritional well-being of free-ranging animals
Interdisciplinary units
By uniting minds from a range of disciplines, WSU unleashes new dimensions of discovery and innovation. The vice president for research oversees the following interdisciplinary units.