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As the fall semester winds down, CU º£½ÇÉçÇø continues to build momentum toward our strategic research and innovation goals. We continue to lead nationally and globally in established strengths in aerospace and space, health and biosciences, sustainability and the environment, and quantum science and technology, while areas as varied as the social sciences and the arts and humanities also continue to thrive.Ìý

More than ever, CU º£½ÇÉçÇø is a destination for faculty, students and staff who want to change the world through innovative research, scholarship and creative work.ÌýÌý

Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and Dean of the Institutes Massimo Ruzzene sat down with us to reflect on what stood out this semester, why it matters and what’s ahead in 2026.Ìý

How has CU º£½ÇÉçÇø advanced in research and innovation this semester?

The semester has been an extraordinary time for research and innovation because of the rapidly changing federal environment, as well as the commitment and success of our people in the face of those changes.Ìý

Faculty, students and staff responded to the incredible pace of federal change and the longest government shutdown in history with perseverance, resourcefulness and determination to maintain our momentum and enable continued breakthroughs in research, innovation and impact.ÌýÌý

Our researchers have continued to thrive, as demonstrated by ongoing, significant successes: Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 listÌýincludes 19 CU º£½ÇÉçÇø-affiliated faculty spanning the campus; NASA announced that instruments designed and built by Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) researchers have beenÌý; the Department of Energy (DOE)Ìýrenewed funding to the tune of $125 million for the Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA), a DOE National Quantum Information Science Research Center; and weÌýcelebrated two major awards—totaling $45 million—from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), one for self-healing joints and one for advanced wound care. These are just a few examples.

CU º£½ÇÉçÇø was recognized forÌýlaunching 35 new companies based on university intellectual property during FY2024, more than any other U.S. campus in that timeframe. CU º£½ÇÉçÇø now ranks No. 2 for the most startups launched in any single year by a U.S. campus. The startups represent an array of industries, from clean energy to biotech. Examples include:ÌýMana Battery, developing a safer, more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology;ÌýFlari Tech, advancing technology to detect diseases via the breath; ²¹²Ô»åÌýMesa Quantum, utilizing next-gen chip-scale atomic clocks and quantum sensors to power autonomous vehicles, advanced deep-water oil exploration and more.Ìý

What projects are you most excited about for the year ahead and why?Ìý

A few of the projects worth keeping an eye on include:

The recently launched Industry Research Partnerships (IRP) team is creating lots of excitement. Through innovative contracting, access to top student and faculty talent, developing new funding streams for CU º£½ÇÉçÇø research, and the capacity to scale, IRP is simplifying the path to innovation and helping industry and CU º£½ÇÉçÇø collaborate to solve complex problems and shape the future together. The new team is already making waves across campus, and early indications are impressive.Ìý

Our quantum efforts continue to accelerate and reap results. OurÌýCUbit Quantum Initiative unites and drives quantum activities across campus, bolstering research, education and commercialization, including supporting the new Colorado Quantum Incubator (COQI). The COQI is regularly welcoming new tenants, attracting community events ²¹²Ô»åÌýbecoming a hub for the regional quantum ecosystem.

Our other strategic research initiatives—theÌýSustainability Research Initiative,ÌýCenter for National Security Initiatives ²¹²Ô»åÌýAB Nexus—continue to expand and engage across campus and beyond to discover innovative approaches, new funding mechanisms and novel partnerships to drive research and innovation breakthroughs in today’s challenging environment.

How can faculty, staff and students help achieve these goals?

Faculty and staff can participate through genuine engagement with research and innovation enterprise offerings: whether exploring ourÌýbi-weekly RIO Bulletin newsletter for funding and development opportunities, participating inÌýprograms and workshops, or finding ways to learn more about theÌýresources that can support the important work taking place across campus.Ìý

Students already engaged in research can benefit from many of the same approaches. Students not already engaged in research or innovation activities across campus: I invite you to exploreÌýresearch and innovation opportunities in your areas of interest—from business or law to music or art—to learn how they can enhance your learning and career opportunities.