Wichita State Research & Innovation News

WICHITA STATE RESEARCH NEWS • June 2020

WICHITA STATE RESEARCH & INNOVATION NEWS • November 2020

Just as the fall brings about change and evolution, this fourth issue of the Wichita State Research News is evolving into the Wichita State Research and Innovation News, which combines two newsletters.

Wichita State University also welcomes its interim president, Dr. Richard Muma. We remain steadfast in our commitment to research and innovation. Many of the programs brought forth during the previous administrations will continue, including the Convergence Sciences Initiative, expansion of our Innovation Campus, and our priority to be (inter)nationally recognized as a top urban research institution serving the needs of Kansas and the region. Future issues will describe each of the centers funded by the Convergence Sciences Initiative in detail.

We remain unwavering in our values, and we continue to hold true to our mission: The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural, and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.

Molecular Diagnostics Lab capable of processing up to 32,000 COVID-19 tests per week

A ribbon-cutting marked the opening of Wichita State’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL), the first and only high-volume COVID-19 test lab in Wichita and the region.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who spoke at the event, said, “With a coordinated strategy, we can identify hotspots before they spread out of control and make sure that Kansans can take proper safety precautions or avoid locations where the virus is present. We can help provide certainty that our schools and our businesses can stay open safely.”

At full capacity, MDL can test up to 32,000 specimens per week with a 24-hour turnaround on results, allowing for precise quarantining and treatment for those infected.

Learn more about Wichita State’s MDL.

Convergence Sciences researchers focus on solving complex societal problems

The university has awarded its first round of funding for the Convergence Sciences initiative, which empowers faculty, staff and students who span the disciplines to form research clusters that address our most pressing and opportunistic challenges. Of the 18 proposals submitted, four teams were selected to receive $300,000 each over three years to work on some of society’s most complex issues. Projects include research on smart-fusion materials to address sustainability, a data-enabled Disaster Resilience Center, reducing obesity among vulnerable populations, and creating educational technologies to assist refugee learners.

Learn more about the Convergence Sciences Initiative.

Wichita State alumni in the running to win $1 million in XPrize mask challenge

Putting their Master of Innovation Design degrees to the test, three Wichita State University graduates are in the running to win $1 million in XPrize’s Next-Gen mask challenge.

Researchers work to understand blue-green algae and mitigate its threat

A team of researchers from Wichita State, University of Kansas, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are working together to understand and help mitigate the threat of blue-green algae on people, pets, livestock and wildlife. This project is funded by a $148,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Learn more about Wichita State's blue-green algae research.

Deloitte launches Smart Factory @ Wichita on WSU's Innovation Campus

One of our newest innovation partners, Deloitte, announced the launch of The Smart Factory @ Wichita — a cutting-edge facility that will accelerate the future of manufacturing. The Industry 4.0 immersive experience center demonstrates the smart factory technologies that are reshaping business today.

Learn more about manufacturing 4.0 at Wichita State.

ZipSip emerges from WSU's innovation ecosystem

A new spin on the old drink Koozie has become a new sensation in the world of beverages and branding. Lacie Leatherman’s idea for ZipSip was nurtured and blossomed through Wichita State’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

Learn more about ZipSip.

Getting to Know

Wichita State University

Research Advantage

Research Records

Total Awards for FY20: $164.7 million

$60.8M

from the U.S. Department of Defense

$11M

from the U.S. Department of Education

$10M

from the U.S. Department of Transportation

$97.6M | Federal

$51.3M | Industry

$14M | Private, local, other

$1.8M | State of Kansas

Our Research Innovation Team

Let us help build your future

Have questions about what Wichita State can do for your business?

Need access to student interns or workforce development assistance?

Reach out to our Research Innovation Team to find out how Wichita State can work with you to advance your business and serve the applied learning mission of the university.