Research
We’ve earned pole position as a Carnegie R1 research university. That’s the standard for measuring the performance of a university’s research engine and something that only 3% of U.S. institutions can claim. But our real bragging rights come in the form of the research breakthroughs and creative innovations that spark economic development.
Increase in research dollars awarded over the past year
Hope for Alzheimer’s Patients
Two studies offer hope that science is turning a corner in fighting Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Jeffrey Cummings’s annual review of clinical trials reveals important trends in the drug development pipeline. And another study by 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine shed light on the strong link between certain gut bacteria and the common form of dementia. These interdisciplinary studies demonstrate the immense role research institutions play in advancing human health.
Owning the Space
Every great space epic features Rebels, right? At 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, work that seems straight from a sci-fi movie is actually happening in real life, with researchers uncovering the mysteries of deep space and unlocking clues to how stars, planets, and entire galaxies form (and fall apart). They’re also helping to chart the course of NASA’s Mars rover and studying risks and stressors associated with space travel – and perhaps engineering a sustainable food source for those brave souls who will one day make the trek among the stars.
The Sports Economy
As Las Vegas ups the ante as dynamic professional sport destination, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is right there, bringing insights on the industry to policymakers, studying social media’s influence on gender equality in sports, finding new ways to diagnose brain disorders due to contact sports, and aligning academic programs to feed the growing workforce.
Safer Batteries
Nevada has a lot riding on lithium, a key component in electric vehicle batteries. But those batteries can catch fire in a crash. A polymer created by chemistry professor Pradip Bhowmik is making them more fire resistant. And, in a great example of how academic research spurs economic development, his work has led to a Las Vegas startup company, now housed at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Black Fire Innovation, to bring the idea to market.
The Ocean in the Sky
Engineering professor Jeremy Cho leads a team that’s studying atmospheric water harvesting — or capturing water vapor in the air around us — and transforming it into drinkable water. His approach is designed for low-humidity environments like our Mojave Desert. His work landed a nearly $600,000, highly competitive grant from the National Science Foundation.
Top Hispanic Serving Research Universities Form Alliance
In collaboration with 19 of the nation’s top research institutions, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ has established the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities. The Alliance plans to boost Hispanic doctoral student enrollment and faculty numbers at member institutions by 2030. By prioritizing equity and inclusivity, this pioneering initiative will create a lasting impact within graduate-level academia.