SEAS research expenditures reach record $102 million

By Marcene Robinson

SEAS faculty are the principal investigators on over 130 projects awarded during the past fiscal year, including 16 grants of more than $1 million. The rise in research funding has helped fuel unprecedented growth in the school, which has also experienced record levels of student enrollment and faculty hiring.

“The growth in external funding for our research excellence is an indication of the world-class scholarship of our faculty, staff, and students and their ability to tackle the greatest opportunities and challenges affecting society,” said Kemper Lewis, SEAS dean and professor. “Our faculty are driving and accelerating innovation in a multitude of areas that will help people live better lives, both now and in the future.”

“I always emphasize that our ambition is not motivated by pride, but impact,” said UB President Satish K. Tripathi during his 12th State of the University address on October 13. “Without a doubt our rising research expenditures validate the deepening impact of our disciplinary expertise.”

Funding allocated to SEAS researchers will help develop new semiconductors for ultra-high voltage power grids to reduce transmission losses and better provide climate resiliency, a new process for separating clean hydrogen from carbon dioxide to achieve net zero emissions of greenhouse gases, a program to boost retention and graduation rates among low-income students pursuing STEM degrees, and more.

Part of the record research expenditures also includes a $20 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish the AI Institute for Exceptional Education, which aims to develop AI systems that identify and assist young children with speech and/or language processing challenges.

The grants and contracts are provided by a range of institutions, including the NSF, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Energy, National Security Agency, and U.S. Department of Defense.

The largest awards from fiscal year 2023 include:

• $20 million from the NSF to principal investigator Venu Govindaraju, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and vice president of the UB Office of Research and Economic Development, to develop AI systems that identify and assist young children with speech and/or language processing challenges.
• $5 million from the NSF to principal investigator Siwei Lyu, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, to develop awareness programs to help older adults detect misinformation and online scams.
• $3.1 million from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to principal investigator Yun Wu, chair and professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, to create a quick, low-cost screening test for lung cancer to better enable early detection.
• $3 million from the NCI to principal investigator Ruogang Zhao, associate professor of biomedical engineering, to test an immune cell therapy’s ability to treat hidden tumors.
• $3 million from the NSF to principal investigator Corey Schimpf, assistant professor of engineering education, to build a web platform that utilizes an AI mentor to help grade school students explore engineering design and earth science.
• $2.4 million from the NCI to principal investigator Blaine Pfeifer, professor of chemical and biological engineering, to develop a drug that trains the immune system to better target cancer cells.
• $2.4 million from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering to principal investigator Chong Cheng, professor of chemical and biological engineering, to examine an alternative polymer for escorting cancer medications into the body, potentially reducing allergic reactions to some medications.
• $2 million from the National Institute on Aging to Pfeifer to design a more effective pneumonia vaccine for older adults.