By Communications staff, College of Arts and Sciences
Ten Washington State University research projects were awarded funding from the President’s Big Ideas Initiative, and two of those efforts come from professors affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences.
The initiative was launched earlier this year by President Betsy Cantwell and Vice President for Research Kim Christen to bolster high-impact science and enhance WSU’s role as the state’s public research lab.
Michael Forbes from the Department of Physics and Astronomy is leading the “iQ@WSU: A Quantum Innovation Platform Supporting AI” effort. The program will unify quantum research and education across the university and collaborate with the Northwest Quantum Nexus to build a regional innovation platform. The institute will also create a sustainable quantum certificate program and develop best-practice guidelines for responsible AI use, positioning the Pacific Northwest as a leader in next-generation technology. Co-investigators for the project include Mark Kuzyk and Peter Engels (Department of Physics and Astronomy) and Subhanshu Gupta (School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science).
Jenifer McIntyre from the School of the Environment is the principal investigator for the “Addressing Water Quality Impacts on Salmonids in Runoff-Impaired Watersheds” effort. The research program will assess how the chemical 6PPD-quinone is driving salmon mortality by assessing survival, growth, development, molecular responses, and swimming performance alongside real-time 6PPDQ levels. The initiative will help agencies improve stormwater management and protect salmon recovery efforts. Co-investigators for the project include Michael Phelps (Animal Science); Nathan Ivy (School of the Environment); Melissa Dreissnack (Entomology); and Anand Jayarakan (WSU Extension).