Research Initiatives
The university's commitment to leading-edge research and creative work is enhanced by five multi-disciplinary strategic research initiatives that examine critical issues in a global context:
- Aerospace Initiative
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In 2008, CU-Boulder launched a wide-ranging research and education thrust through the AeroSpace Systems Science and Engineering Initiative (AS3E) that seeks to address some of the most challenging and critical problems in earth and space science as well as create stronger connections between engineering and the sciences. The initiative will combine climate and environmental research conducted from Earth orbit with space weather research, planetary exploration astronomy and astrophysics. AS3E brings together scientists from three departments - aerospace engineering sciences, astrophysical and planetary sciences, and atmospheric and oceanic sciences - under one interdisciplinary umbrella.
One of the key elements of the initiative is a planned $40 million Aerospace and Energy Systems Building that will enable student/faculty and engineering/sciences interactions and provide an incubator for small-scale space system development. Graduate fellowship and educational programs in the initiative offer expanded opportunities for interdisciplinary graduate student research. Joint faculty appointments will be placed strategically to enhance cross-discipline interaction. An executive committee of leaders from each of the participating units oversees the development and outcomes of the initiative.
- Biotechnology Initiative
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The Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology (CIMB) was founded in 2003 to foster research, teaching and technology development at the interfaces of the life sciences, physical sciences, math, computational sciences, and engineering. Advances in biology are creating an explosion of new information that is redefining the understanding of life at the molecular level. CIMB scientists work to harness that knowledge for diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease, among other purposes.
The molecular biotech initiative is led by CU-Boulder's Nobel laureate Tom Cech, who returned to the university in April 2009 after 10 years as president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
- Computational Sciences and Engineering Initiative
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The Interdisciplinary Computational Sciences and Engineering Initiative addresses a rapidly growing field of study with long-standing ties between applied mathematics, computer science, engineering and the sciences. Focused development of the initiative began in 2007 with four faculty meetings followed by a Boulder campus town hall meeting attended by more than 100 people in February 2008. An ICSE Steering Committee developed a set of recommendations for launching the new initiative in their report of October 2008.
As noted in the Steering Committee report, the underpinnings of this emerging field involve numerical mathematics, algorithm development, and software and program implementation - but the implications for a broad range of scientific inquiry are significant. Current research problems often require computer modeling, complex programming and advanced visualization methodologies that demand high-performance computing power. At CU-Boulder, the potential already exists for applications of ICSE in such areas as: climate and weather prediction; geosciences and Earth system science; aerospace, manufacturing and engineering design; astrophysics and planetary sciences; bioinformatics and biology; material sciences; renewable energy; computational chemistry and molecular dynamics; fusion energy science; and computational physics, to name a few. Computation is utilized in all these fields, fueled by rapid advances in computing power, algorithm speed and reliability, and the emergence of complex visualization software tools, according to the ICSE report.
Meeting Notes from the Interdisciplinary Computational Science Town Hall Meeting, Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Presentations and meeting notes from a town hall meeting on interdisciplinary graduate education in computational science and engineering, high-performance computing and supercomputing research support needs, and other topics related to the formation and pursuit of the initiative. - Energy Initiative
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The Energy Initiative (EI) was launched in 2005 to help find solutions for the world's urgent energy needs. With more than 180 faculty and researchers engaged in some type of energy research, the initiative builds on existing strengths in climate and environmental science, behavioral studies, policy analysis, and entrepreneurship to seek answers to a growing global crisis.
The Energy Initiative acts as a catalyst to bring researchers from multiple fields together to address key problems and opportunities. Research efforts range from energy-efficient construction to energy storage, from solar and wind energy to hydrogen production. By 2008, the initiative had 43 funded research projects in renewable and sustainable energy.
- Geosciences Initiative
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CU-Boulder's Geosciences Initiative (GI), still in the early stages of development, addresses one of society's greatest challenges: environmental sustainability. The initiative reflects a general recognition that Earth is not limitless - that there are observable and accelerating changes in climate, the health of ecosystems, and the purity of air, water, and land. The effort builds upon a tradition of excellence in earth and atmospheric research in order to meet the challenges of sustainability and environmental change. Nearly 800 faculty and more than 1,000 graduate students are involved in related projects reaching beyond traditional academic boundaries.
By taking an interdisciplinary approach, the Geosciences Initiative intends to bring the best minds to bear on complex problems. The initiative combines natural sciences research, which describes how Earth systems function, with social sciences, humanities, law, journalism, and business research and education - which describe how human societies function. It also seeks to form partnerships that draw upon federal and private-sector expertise to help solve the great environmental challenges.
A GI steering group has begun work on identifying focus areas, potential unit members, issues to be addressed, and producing a vision document. The initiative is viewed as an opportunity to invest in, and build on, internationally known campus strengths in the broad area of environmental studies. However, the steering group agrees that it should not - and cannot - encompass the full breadth of this topic; rather its success will depend on focusing on a few key areas. Suggested areas of emphasis are: climate variability and change, water cycle, and land use change - all under an overarching them of "Geosciences: A Changing World." Within each focus area, investments of faculty lines and other resources will be crucial to advance research and teaching across academic units, keeping the GI in tune with the campus strength in interdisciplinary studies.
One of the key strengths of the Geosciences Initiative is its potential for broad participation and for substantial cross-campus synergies, spanning multiple institutes, centers and departments as well as schools and colleges. Initial plans for the Geosciences Initiative have identified several university units that could be involved: INSTAAR, CIRES, environmental studies, atmospheric and oceanic sciences, geography, geology, ecology and evolutionary biology, journalism, LASP, law, business, Center of the American West, IBS, and civil, environmental and architectural engineering. This list is not considered exhaustive and other partnerships may emerge.
Several issues also have been identified in the initiative's planning stages:
- development of graduate and undergraduate education programs,
- linkages with business and government,
- assessment protocols,
- hiring structures and faculty participation,
- fundraising,
- governance structures,
- stakeholder needs,
- and facilities needs.
To move the initiative forward, a Planning and Writing Team has been formed to craft a GI vision document, with a draft expected by fall 2009. Two review groups, one from inside the university and one outside group, will be named to officially review the GI planning document as it is drafted and finalized.
These initiatives are bringing together faculty and students, from CU-Boulder and other campuses, to join in intellectual inquiry and discovery as they confront issues affecting humankind. Three of the five strategic initiatives (aerospace, biotechnology, and energy) mirror key priorities set by the Colorado governor for economic development in Colorado.