Annual Research Report 2022

Acknowledgements

Office of Research Administration

Office of Research Development

Office of Research Support

Office of Technology

Commercialization and Ventures

Office of Undergraduate Research

Photos Courtesy

Oguz Baykal

Kindra Clineff

Deirdre Confar

Karl Dominey

Elizabeth Friar

Jonathan Hillyer

Scott Indermaur

Daniel S. Logan

Jennifer White

WRITERs

Debra Hazian

David James

Ryan Merrill

Adrienne Wartts

Data

Catherine Palmer

Designer

Liana DePillo

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to report UMass Dartmouth's continued growth in impactful research activities with important contributions to knowledge creation, student training, and economic development. I could not be prouder of the research community at UMassD and the results they have accomplished.

Research volume is an important metric that highlights our growing reputation as one of the state’s leading public research universities. During FY22, UMassD’s research portfolio exceeded $82M, with new awards growing by 34% from FY21. As the funding for research expands, so does the impact of our research through new insights and solutions that translate into a brighter future for our society.

Our research enterprise has continued to focus on key strengths in marine technology, sustainability and resilience, oceanography and fisheries, and education, with NSF and the Department of Defense continuing to be the primary sources of funding.

I want to thank all our researchers for their unwavering commitment and passion for addressing critical societal needs. I am also very grateful for the research office staff that are deeply committed to supporting our faculty and students in their research needs.

I encourage you to engage with our team and explore new partnerships and opportunities. The Office of Research and Innovation provides a broad range of resources to help you advance new ideas and innovations.

Sincerely,

Ramprasad Balasubramanian, PhD Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Director, Marine and Undersea Technology (MUST) Research Program

Professor, Department of Computer and Information Science

A message from Chancellor Mark A. Fuller

Research is at the core of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's educational mission, and makes us unique among educational institutions on the SouthCoast. We are proud to be one of only 93 public universities in the country to achieve the R2 designation for high research activity. The discoveries at UMass Dartmouth directly impact our local knowledge economy and have implications that matter on the global stage.

Our world-class faculty are recognized by peers, national organizations, and funding agencies for their research accomplishments in critically important areas. Faculty are using big data to analyze dietary patterns to improve health. We are using technology to increase ocean sustainability by finding innovative ways to remove microplastics from our waters and studying marine ecosystems near America's first offshore wind farms. Our researchers are also looking outside earth by investigating black hole mergers and the process behind the formation of new stars. By creating new methodologies and pedagogies, we empower engineering skills in students and use our compassion and knowledge to develop modern ways of destigmatizing opioid use disorder.

But what makes it even more remarkable is how research impacts our students. Public research universities like UMass Dartmouth are our society's most powerful engine of opportunity because we bring a college education within everyone's reach and launch students into impressive careers. With half of our students the first in their families to attend college, our graduates are changing their own lives and the lives of their families and communities. Our students are conducting research alongside faculty and gaining learning experiences that will fuel the next generation of discovery.

Best, Mark A. Fuller, PhD Chancellor