CONFRONTING COVID-19

WHILE DELIVERING UNRIVALED SERVICE

The Division of Research & Innovation (R&I) had a quick and diversified response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the global pandemic caused upheaval to many of us and changed how we live our daily lives at home, work, and on the university campus, we were committed to ensuring that our core research functions continued. +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ At the height of the pandemic, the university faced the possi+++++++++++++++++++++ bility of complete shutdowns of research laboratories, farm +++++++++++++++++++++ and agricultural facilities, and training locations. Through +++++++++++++++++++++ clear, concise, and easily accessible communica+++++++++++++++++++++ tions, we navigated challenges with multiple lay+++++++++++++++++++++ ers. We established the COVID-19 FAQ/infor+++++++++++++++++++++ mation page on the R&I website providing guidance, procedures, and services for continuity of research operations while mitigating the risk of spreading the virus for faculty, staff, and students. +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ The Division of +++++++++++++++++++++ Research & +++++++++++++++++++++ Innovation +++++++++++++++++++++ devel+++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++

oped campus protocols aligned with federal and state requirements to reduce the number of individuals gathered in research labs. We created protocols for faculty researchers to access laboratories on a rotational basis so that that the labs could remain open and the research could continue. We found ways to research off-campus, wherever possible. In addition, the several offices within the Division of Research & Innovation adapted and seamlessly transitioned into remote work adapting to the virtual world while maintaining close interactions through digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams.

R&I also confronted COVID-19 by showing its strength as a research community. Vice President Magesh Rajan aimed to directly address the COVID-19 challenges and their implications to the university research community. The resulting research and scholarly articles published about this uncommon time were significant in that they responded to the global challenges and cemented PVAMU as a research entity capable of contributing significantly to important and timely conversations of import.

During this unforeseen time, COVID-19 challenged humanity and society globally and personally, including affecting Prairie View A&M University faculty, staff, and students. Despite some personal losses and other complex outcomes of the pandemic, the R&I team demonstrated tremendous resilience. By having faith in one another, the team continued to deliver unrivaled service to the campus community.