Chancellor Mark Mone puts the credit for 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s recognition as a top research institution squarely on the shoulders of all campus researchers.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou helped address societal issues and fed the bank of solutions and new products,\u201d Mone told the crowd at a research celebration during the annual 51ÁÔÆæ Undergraduate Research Symposium at the Student Union.<\/p>\n
The April 29 event celebrated the third consecutive time that 51ÁÔÆæ has earned the highest research rating from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This \u201cR1\u201d status places 51ÁÔÆæ among the world\u2019s leading institutions of research \u2013 one of only 146 institutions, out of nearly 4,000 considered, that are placed in this category.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t it great that we\u2019ve gotten our undergraduate research celebration to piggyback on our R1 celebration?\u201d he asked, donning a gold baseball cap with \u201cR1\u201d emblazoned in it. \u201cHow perfect is that?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important to realize how rare and how hard this achievement is. It doesn\u2019t happen overnight,\u201d Mone said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s because of your sustained efforts. You\u2019ve made us a better university.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mone thanked two UW regents in attendance \u2013 Kyle Weatherly and Rodney Pasch \u2013 and a half dozen state legislators.<\/p>\n
In 1965, 51ÁÔÆæ offered only one PhD program, he said. Today, there are 38 programs. And the university has conferred more than 4,000 doctoral degrees since it was first named as R1 in 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re probably one of the leanest universities named as R1,\u201d Provost Johannes Britz said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m so proud of this accomplishment. It means that if we had more resources, we have the potential to be a top urban institution, not just in Wisconsin, but in the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two faculty researchers also addressed the crowd of about 300.<\/p>\n
Lingqian Ivy Hu, professor of urban planning, said research makes it possible to solve society\u2019s longstanding problems.<\/p>\n
Her current research is a case in point. Lower income and minority workers without cars live mainly in the city of Milwaukee. But the Milwaukee County\u2019s transit system does not cross county boundaries, presenting a barrier between those who need access to good-paying jobs in the suburbs and suburban businesses that cannot find workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to figure out an efficient and affordable way to connect them,\u201d Hu said.<\/p>\n
She and her research team recently were awarded a $1 million federal grant to test FlexRide Milwaukee, an ondemand, microtransit service.<\/p>\n
The researchers will evaluate whether FlexRide Milwauke can improve employment of Milwaukee residents, help business to attract and retain workers, save travel time and reduce energy consumption.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe project underscores the mission and the value of 51ÁÔÆæ,\u201d Hu said. \u201cOur research serves real people, real communities. And the R1 designation underscores the importance of research.\u201d<\/p>\n
Distinguished Professor of Psychology Karyn Frick spoke about the value of 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s undergraduate research program.<\/p>\n
Frick\u2019s research lab consists of graduate students and postdoctoral scientists working to unravel the role of the hormone estrogen in memory decline in women. The work is driven by the fact that women face a much greater risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease than men.<\/p>\n
Undergraduates, who work side-by-side with the other lab members daily, are \u201cthe unsung heroes\u201d and the \u201clifeblood\u201d of the research, Frick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my years of experience at some of the top research universities in the world, including Yale and Johns Hopkins, I have never seen a university provide such strong support for undergraduate researchers and their mentors,\u201d Frick said.<\/p>\n
At the symposium, 280 undergraduate students presented the research they\u2019ve been working on with more than 200 faculty members and research staff.<\/p>\n