According to data recently submitted to the National Science Foundation, the University of Florida conducted a record $960 million in research. This was a $17.8 million increase from the previous year. UF Research had nearly 7,800 active awards in 2021.
Life Sciences
Life sciences research, including health and agriculture, made up 73% or $707 million of the year’s spend. One of their most promising studies through the UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences involves carinata, a variety of mustard whose seeds hold the promise of a renewable jet fuel. UF/IFAS is hopeful it can be established as a winter crop in North Florida, offering farmers additional income. For more information on this project, head here.
Artificial Intelligence
NVIDIA, a Silicon Valley technology company, has served as a partner in UF’s AI initiative. UF is currently the only institute of higher learning to possess NVIDIA DGX A100 systems. In addition to the contribution of invaluable equipment, they also offer the university support and collaboration through the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute. Details of this partnership can be found here.
Cybersecurity
Last year UF’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and The Ohio State University participated in a $9 million effort to make computer chips more secure. Conducted by cybersecurity researchers, this project offers workforce training and education programs geared towards microelectronics design and security. To learn more about the collaborative, holistic training program these universities have co-developed here.
“I’m grateful to our faculty for their continued dedication and excellence in growing our research enterprise,” said UF President Kent Fuchs. “Thanks to them, we are not only creating new knowledge and new technologies, but also supporting unique learning opportunities for UF students and helping to spur economic development statewide.”
By Jensen Taylor