Annual Report

Office of the Vice Provost for Research

Annual Report Fiscal Year 2024

In FY24, ETSU researchers and innovators blazed new trails by challenging the status quo. They went where others have not gone. Our students, staff, and faculty blaze trails because doing so is a calling. This challenging, mission-driven trailblazing improves the quality of life in our region and beyond.

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Research by the Numbers

$71 million

In Sponsored Projects Awarded for FY24


229

Monetary Awards Rewarded in FY24


$21.3 million

Federal Awards in FY24

 

53%

All-Time Patent Approval Rate

$42.3 million

In Research and Development Expenditures in FY23

203% increase

In Research Expenditures FY20-FY23

745

Active Human Research Studies Under IRB Oversight in FY24

24%

Of Active Human Research Studies Led by Student PIs in FY24

35 Days

Median IRB Approval Time for Expedited Studies During FY24

2024 Research Highlights

image for Exploring ways to improve lives across Tennessee

Exploring ways to improve lives across Tennessee

Two East Tennessee State University researchers, Dr. KariLynn Dowling-McClay and Dr. Hadii Mamudu, are part of a statewide team studying ways to improve medication adherence in vulnerable populations in Tennessee. The Med AAAction Study, led by Dr. Satya Surbhi, focuses on patients in Memphis, Knoxville, and Johnson City, providing free medications and care coordination to improve health outcomes and reduce rehospitalizations for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, with funding from a $3.5 million NIH grant. Learn more here.
image for ETSU scientists part of team studying massive stars

ETSU scientists part of team studying massive stars

A global team of scientists, including East Tennessee State University professors Dr. Richard Ignace and Dr. Christi Erba, has launched a groundbreaking study to analyze massive stars near the Milky Way. Their research, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory, explores how metallicity—an important factor for understanding galaxy evolution—affects the properties of stars. The findings, published in Astronomy and Astrophysics, are part of a series that aims to shed light on the role of supernovae and other processes in the formation of the Milky Way's environment. Read more here.
image for What’s in your blood?

What’s in your blood?

The BIG (Biorepository and Integrative Genomics) Initiative, a partnership between East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, aims to explore how genetics influence health and treatment responses. By sequencing genomes and linking them to disease states, the initiative seeks to uncover new genetic insights to improve care, particularly for vulnerable populations in Tennessee. This research is part of a broader effort to address key healthcare challenges, including conditions like asthma, epilepsy, and long-COVID. Read more here.
 

More Research Highlights

 

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  • ETSU R&D Expenditures
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