Letter from the Senior Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation 2024-25

Colleagues and friends,

As I reflect on the year of research and innovation at the University of Colorado Boulder, the word that comes to mind is “resilience.” I’m proud that we attracted more than $767 million in funding. I’m even more proud of all we are accomplishing as we face both familiar and new challenges.

What accomplishments? The knowledge and experience our students are gaining, the discoveries our researchers are making, the pioneering scholarship and creative output our faculty are producing, and a commitment to innovation that’s turning these advances into impact and opportunities for people in Colorado and beyond. Here are a few stories that illustrate such accomplishments especially well:

Massimo Ruzzene
  • Sustainable spinouts and startup powerhouse: These stories highlight innovations originating from CU Boulder research—often launched by federal funding—that are creating jobs, economic opportunities and other benefits to society.
  • A new quantum incubator: Building on our legacy as a quantum science and technology leader, CU Boulder and partners unveiled a state-of-the-art facility to help accelerate quantum innovation.
  • Artificial intelligence advances: This story zooms in on work in Computer Science and our College of Engineering and Applied Science, but researchers across campus are advancing the technology and informing effective, responsible applications.
  • Space research helping people on Earth: Space exploration has always inspired us. This story reminds us that our efforts in space also improve lives here and now, from developing better weather forecasts to solving pressing health problems.

I’m thrilled that our faculty, researchers, students and staff are innovating and shining as never before, continuing to advance knowledge, scholarship and creative work in the service of society.

I hope you enjoy these highlights from CU Boulder’s research, scholarship and creative work in 2024-25.

Best regards,

Massimo Ruzzene
Senior Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation
Dean of the Institutes
Research & Innovation Office
University of Colorado Boulder