September 15, 2023 - Fresno State research is conducted in a range of disciplines from the sciences and public health to engineering, agriculture and the humanities. This research supports entrepreneurs, advances health and equity and expands technical expertise.

For the fifth consecutive year, Fresno State set a new funding record with 434 awards for a total of $70.7 million in grants and contracts to support research during the 2022-23 academic year. That’s a 29.2% increase in funding over the previous year. 

“A phenomenal year of excellence in research and contracts reflects the ongoing and growing need for research infrastructure support for our campus. Our research administrators, staff, and especially faculty, are recognized for their dedicated hours and commitment” said Dr. Joy Goto, interim dean of the Division of Research and Graduate Studies at Fresno State. 

The grants varied in amounts and were awarded by nationally-known science and health institutions and government agencies for projects that will help benefit related industries and the San Joaquin Valley. Among the notable grants and contracts from the past year are: 

• $950,000 from the United States Department of Agriculture to Dr. Katy Tarrant, in the Animal Sciences and Agriculture Education Department, to partner with Fresno City College to increase access among underrepresented students, particularly those of Hispanic descent, to poultry processing career training, an innovative curriculum and experiential learning opportunities to promote career readiness. 

• $467,622 from the National Science Foundation to Dr. Joel Slade in the Biology Department to study the effect of urbanization on ecological immunology and microbiology in cardueline finches. 

• $435,000 from The California Endowment to the San Joaquin Valley Public Health Consortium in the College of Health and Human Services to promote health and racial equity in the San Joaquin Valley by partnering with county health departments and community organizations throughout the region. 

• $750,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration to Eduardo Gonzalez and Dr. Alam Hasson for the Central Valley Women’s Entrepreneur Center. 

• $7.5 million from the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration to the Lyles College of Engineering, the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and the College of Science and Mathematics for iCREATE — the Innovation Center for Research and Entrepreneurship in Agfood Technology and Engineering. iCREATE will provide and expand technical expertise in focus areas that include precision agriculture, digitization and data science, artificial intelligence, internet of things, sensor technologies and more.

Source: Fresno State