Originally published through the Research Radar e-newsletter
on November 13, 2024.
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Colleagues,
While spending Veterans Day in my home state of Vermont, I found myself reflecting on my parents. Both were children of the Great Depression, born into families of limited means. Like many of his generation, my father volunteered to serve in World War II right after high school. He went on to have a nearly 30-year career in the military, teaching mountain climbing and skiing skills for the 10th Mountain Division and Army Rangers. My mother went to nursing school in Massachusetts. After graduation, she supported the war effort by training nurses that were desperately needed.
After retiring from the military, my parents returned to Vermont. My mother had taken a career hiatus to raise a family and then resumed as a nursing faculty at a local state college. My father transitioned to an industrial engineering career, but on weekends, his avocation was teaching climbing and backcountry skiing clinics. Being back in Vermont, I frequently encounter nurses and skiers who share fond memories of my parents and their impact on their lives. As educators and mentors at a public university, I know that you can relate to the joy I feel when I hear these stories.
My experiences have given me firsthand insight into the dedication and sacrifices of our nation’s veterans and their families as they serve our country. I have also seen how this commitment fosters a lifelong spirit of public service, which has inspired my own journey as an educator and researcher at a land-grant university. I took some time today to review our research programs and admire those of you who serve our veteran community through research aimed at improving their post-military health and career transitions. Thank you for working to improve their lives as they have ours.
In 1938, Congress passed an act that declared November 11 a national holiday and “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace.” If you are on the Pullman Campus, consider visiting the WSU Veteran Memorial near Thompson Hall and contemplate as you read through the nearly 400 Cougs who have given their life for our country. Our colleague, Dr. Raymond Sun, associate professor in the Department of History, has developed a moving and impactful scholarly work entitled “Fallen Cougs.” This scholarship documents the history of many of the memorialized individuals. I cannot encourage you enough to take time, peruse the site linked here, and watch the short YouTube video about this project.
Michael P. Wolcott
Regents Professor
Interim Vice President for Research
Research Happens Every Day
Research Happens Every Day recognizes the fact that faculty make contributions to the WSU research enterprise every day of the year. In support of this crucial research and creative activity, ORAP will be hosting events celebrating diverse research and creative contributions as well as providing workshops, information sessions, and other training opportunities year-round.
We recently launched a new monthly Q&A series featuring our faculty and their research. This month, we are excited to highlight the research and creative work of Bertrand Tanner, associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience and adjunct associate professor in the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering. Tanner’s research focuses on molecular and cellular muscle function, and the mechanisms that regulate force production in striated muscles.
Upcoming Events
Lunch and Learn: SciENcv
The National Science Foundation requires senior personnel to complete Biosketches and Current and Pending Support (CPS) documents using the online SciENcv portal. The National Institutes of Health will soon follow suit. Bring your lunch and your laptop to the Lighty 280 conference room on Tuesday, December 3, from noon-1 p.m., and work alongside Cheryl Dykstra-Aiello, research development specialist from the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships, as she demonstrates steps you need to create your NSF and NIH compliant Biosketches and Current/Pending Support documents in SciENcv. RSVP online to attend.
Save the Date: USPTO Visit on November 21
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will be visiting the Pullman campus on Thursday, November 21, hosted by the Office of Commercialization. There will be two sessions presented by the USPTO guest in Lighty 405:
USPTO AI-related Guidance and Use of AI Tools, 10-11 a.m. – RSVP to attend.
USPTO Perspective and Q&A on Academic Innovation and Recent Initiatives, 1-2 p.m. – Topics will include the Council for Inclusive Innovation, U.S. Competitiveness, Cancer Moonshot, Climate Change Mitigation, and USPTO careers and hiring. RSVP to attend.
Additionally, USPTO is offering one-on-one or small team meetings for the WSU Research Community. Sign up for your one-on-one meeting.
Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships: New Information Sessions are Live
Each semester the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships offer 8–10, hour-long classes designed to assist you with all areas of research development. Topics include budget planning, broader impact opportunities, supplementary documents, research compliance, and more. If you were interested in any of the Information Sessions this semester but were unable to attend, recorded sessions are available on ORAP’s website.
Call for Proposals
Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects
The U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, administers the Small Surface and Groundwater Storage Program to enhance water storage opportunities and support future water supply needs in the Western U.S. These projects aim to improve water reliability, promote groundwater management, and provide environmental and climate resilience benefits.
Graduate Student Summer Community Engaged Research Grant
Pullman graduate students in good standing will be supported for three months (May 15 – August 15) with up to $10,000 for a summer community engaged research project guided by their advisor/principal investigator. Proposals should be submitted online by December 15. Late submissions will not be accepted.
For Your Information
The Cosmic Crisp® hot air balloon visit
The Cosmic Crisp® hot air balloon visit to the Pullman campus was a hit. The balloon was able to fly for about an hour over town. Many apples were handed out to people that stopped by, including classes from the WSU Children’s Center. A huge thanks to the departments involved in making this a success.
U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center, Combat Feeding Division visited the Tang Lab
Representatives from the U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center, Combat Feeding Division were on campus Tuesday, October 29, to visit the Tang Lab and get a tour of the microwave assisted thermal sterilization (MATS) and pasteurization (MAPS) machines developed here at WSU. During the tour they also got a demonstration of the machine and tasted food processed through it. Of course, no campus visit is complete without a visit to Ferdinand’s.
Protect your money from cyber scams this holiday season
The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is presenting a three-hour cybersecurity workshop at the Pullman Parks and Recreation Center on Wednesday, November 20, to help small business owners protect their business and their assets from scammers this holiday season.