Researchers at the
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences broke
records in
fiscal year 2016 with
$69 million in external funding to
fuel college projects.
From research plots across Georgia to state-of-the-art laboratories in Athens,
Tifton and Griffin,
CAES faculty members use this funding for research to
support Georgia's $74.3 billion agricultural industry and improve the food security and health of people around the world.
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Esther van der Knaap, horticulture professor, was one of the many UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers who helped the college break its external research funding record.
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"This (achievement) was only possible because of the extraordinary efforts of our dedicated faculty, staff and graduate students," said
Sam Pardue, dean and director of CAES. "We're proud of their creativity, their hard work and their commitment to identifying solutions to the challenges that face Georgia, our nation and the world."
CAES's external research funding totals helped contribute to a record-breaking year for research funding across the university.
I
n fiscal year 2016, research expenditures at UGA increased by 14 percent to reach $175.3 million. UGA's dramatic increase in fiscal year 2016 comes on the heels of a 7 percent increase in fiscal year 2015 for a 21 percent rise over the past two years.
"As the university's research productivity continues to increase, so does our ability to make a positive impact on our state, nation and world," said UGA President
Jere W. Morehead. "I am grateful to our outstanding faculty, whose commitment to excellence is helping to strengthen UGA's position among the top public research universities in the country."
Part of the bump in research funding across the university was a significant increase in funding from the
National Science Foundation, highlighting UGA's strength in
plant research.
Five university research teams -- including one team led by College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences horticulture Professor
Esther van der Knaap, a recent presidential hire -- received a total of more than
$14 million to explore the growth, development and behavior of a
variety of plants, including tomatoes, sunflowers, maize, legumes, dogwood trees and soybeans.
