2 minute read
Taking Care
From the earth to the skies, MTSU-connected researchers cultivate projects that improve people’s lives
Higher education research is a great investment for people and society. Researchers, faculty, staff, and students at Middle Tennessee State University are involved in research and public service initiatives that help Tennesseans.
This edition focuses on Taking Care to tell the stories of how research— both in our campus community and by our alumni—is impacting fellow Tennesseans as well as people across the nation and around the earth. Through real-world projects, the work of MTSU-connected researchers is changing lives and potentially saving lives in key areas of agriculture, aerospace, education, medicine and health care, public safety, and weather prediction.
THROUGH REAL-WORLD PROJECTS, THE WORK OF MTSU-CONNECTED RESEARCHERS IS CHANGING LIVES.
This magazine highlights a small number of the many projects for Tennessee, our nation, and the world ongoing at the University or involving our graduates. In this issue, we dive deep into how federal, state, and foundation grant dollars at MTSU and some alumni at private organizations play a pivotal role in boosting the food supply, solving issues related to literacy, making aviation safer, helping sex trafficking victims, improving weather forecasting, and wielding artificial intelligence in health care.
These stories of persistence, innovation, and empathy showcase our commitment at MTSU to help the citizens of our state, nation, and world live better and more rewarding lives.
David Butler, Vice Provost for Research and Dean, College of Graduate Studies
About the cover
EYE-OPENING IRIS
Tennessee’s official state cultivated flower is the iris, a hardy perennial with over 200 species and a range of colors that brightens lives—although the purple iris is widely accepted as the state symbol. Named for the Greek goddess of rainbows, the iris is joined by two state wildflowers: the passion flower (the previous state flower) and Tennessee echinacea (cornflower).
