From the Vice President

Welcome to the first issue of the Georgia State University Research Magazine, devoted to sharing the new insights and discoveries being made on our campus. Recently Georgia State has gained national attention for our innovative approach to student success — and now we’re developing a reputation as one of the nation’s premier urban public research universities.

In the past decade, Georgia State has been distinguished by the tremendous expansion of our research program. Since 2011, our external research funding has increased by 252 percent, with expenditures exceeding $200 million for the first time this year. We’ve also invested in new faculty and infrastructure, positioning the university as a major player in research. Today, Georgia State faculty are producing transformative breakthroughs to tackle our most complex, pressing problems.

The stories here encompass only a fraction of our university’s growing research activity — but what an impressive fraction. Our cover story, “The Body on Fire,” spotlights several Georgia State researchers who are working to better understand and fight a major driver of disease: chronic inflammation. A few pages later, we detail the incredibly timely work of professor Ann-Margaret Esnard, who studies natural disasters and their impact on cities. In “Universal Treatment,” you’ll learn about two Georgia State scientists who are leading the pack of those racing to develop a universal flu vaccine.

It’s an exciting time at Georgia State, and we hope that this magazine provides you with an appreciation for how the university is advancing research that has the potential to significantly affect all of our lives. Follow along as we continue to build excellence in research. We promise there are many more discoveries to come.

Sincerely,

James A. Weyhenmeyer, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research and Economic Development