Montana State University will hold its first Centers and Institutes Day on March 23, according to a March 10 announcement. The event, organized by the Office of Research and Economic Development, will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Strand Union Building ballrooms.
The event aims to highlight the interdisciplinary research hubs at Montana State University (MSU) and foster connections among faculty, students, community members, and stakeholders. It is free to attend, but organizers request that participants RSVP by March 12 for catering purposes.
The program includes opening remarks from Alison Harmon, MSU Vice President of Research and Economic Development; a panel discussion featuring faculty members, students, and a community stakeholder; as well as presentations from representatives of various centers and institutes. Carl Yeoman, MSU’s associate vice president for research, said that “Centers and Institutes Day will provide an opportunity for our newest faculty and students to find their interdisciplinary homes,” adding that it will also showcase “some of the ways Montana State University is improving lives in Montana and beyond.” Yeoman also said, “We hope the event will provide an opportunity for participants to see the breadth of our research centers and institutes, learn more about why they exist and what they do, see real world examples of the great work we are doing regionally and find opportunities to become engaged.”
MSU hosts more than 20 centers and institutes covering topics such as national security, community health, biofilm engineering applications in healthcare and industry, quantum computing through QCORE—which houses two distinct quantum computers—and ecosystem studies like the Greater Yellowstone Climate Assessment. The agenda features lunch with center directors at hosted tables starting at 11 a.m., followed by opening remarks at noon. A panel discussion with faculty members Nick Lux and Liz Johnson; National Park Service manager Kristen Legg; graduate student Dylan Maxwell; and undergraduate Aspen McKee is scheduled for 12:15 p.m., with center presentations running until 2:20 p.m.
Montana State University emphasizes collaboration and stewardship to support both natural environments and communities according to the official website. The university maintains four campuses along with Extension offices across all 56 Montana counties according to the official website. MSU has gained recognition for its community engagement efforts through teaching initiatives according to the official website, while focusing on hands-on research opportunities for students according to the official website. Dr. Brock Tessman has served as president of Montana State University according to the official website.
More information about MSU’s centers and institutes can be found online.