Colleagues and friends,
As I reflect on 2020—a year many understandably remember as “unprecedented” and “difficult”—I find myself thinking of a different word: extraordinary. I have been overwhelmed by the extraordinary dedication, creativity and collaborative spirit embodied by our researchers, faculty, students and staff during a year that was truly like no other.
That commitment to excellence, innovation and teamwork shines through in this collection of highlights from the University of Colorado Boulder’s research and creative work in 2019–20.
I am proud of the impactful work that our faculty, researchers and students are pursuing, such as: developing affordable, rapid-result COVID-19 tests; transforming how we explore our universe; and bolstering human resilience to the effects of major traumas like natural disasters. Advances like these explain why CU Boulder researchers received $614 million in competitive funding this year, including a record $457 million from federal agencies. Incredibly, our important work not only continued but accelerated in the face of true adversity.
These fascinating stories about our research and creative work introduce you to researchers who are pushing boundaries and shaping our future, including by addressing the most pressing topics of our time: the COVID-19 pandemic and a unique inflection point in social justice and equity.
Like many of you, I am looking forward to 2021. But I leave 2020 even more inspired and optimistic about the difference we are making.
I hope you enjoy these stories of discovery, invention and collaboration.
Stay well,
Terri Fiez
Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation Office