Michael LeFevre	David York
Sridhar Viamajala	Jeff Muhs
David Ward	Allen Howard

Each new year brings opportunities to reflect on the goals and accomplishments of the past 12 months, and in 2007 Utah State University had much to celebrate.   The Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative was more fully implemented, and we’ve been able to see the first fruits of Utah’s most innovative research- and technology-based economic development initiative.

Thanks to USTAR, USU is building new facilities and has welcomed six new researchers in the areas of advanced nutrition, biofuels, and remote sensing.  These researchers are at the top of their respective fields, and they bring significant new capacity to USU’s research programs.

Michael Lefevre, an expert in natural products, has joined USU’s Center for Advanced Nutrition (CAN), which focuses on finding solutions to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.  David Ward’s expertise in creating biomarkers will also be an important asset to the CAN and other areas at USU.  These two researchers are joining CAN Director David York, who was hired last year with USTAR funds.

Sridhar Viamajala and Jeff Muhs are the newest members of USU’s Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC).  The SERC, formerly known as the biofuels group, is focusing on creating economically viable renewable and sustainable energy sources.  Viamajala researches the conversion of biomass to ethanol and the production of biodiesel.  Muhs, who specializes in developing hybrid solar lighting systems, is the new executive director of the SERC.

USU’s Center for Active Sensing and Imaging (CASI) also has a new principal investigator, Allen Howard, an expert in aerosol and particulates.  Howard has significant experience in industry, with two U.S. patents and a start-up company.

These researchers will elevate USU’s ability to address some of the nation’s biggest problems.  As they develop tangible solutions, they will also create new technologies, companies, and jobs for the state of Utah.

USTAR is just one aspect of exciting research at Utah State, and in the following pages, we offer you twelve months of reminders of how USU is affecting Utah’s communities, open spaces, economy, and families.  Thank you for your interest in and support of research at Utah State University.

Best Regards,


Stan L. Albrecht
President   

Brent C. Miller
Vice President for Research