Celebrating 10 Years of SMU Research

U. Narayan Bhat Dean, Research and Graduate Studies nbhat@mail.smu.edu

This is the 10th volume of SMU Research. When the first volume came out in 1993, I wasn't sure whether even a second volume would be feasible. With the generous support of the Office of Public Affairs, SMU Research has become a regular publication of the University.

During the past 10 years, SMU Research has tried to give a broadbased overview of the research undertaken by the faculty at SMU. In selecting personalities and stories, we have covered both sponsored and nonsponsored research and disciplines as diverse as engineering, theology, and law. We have profiled researchers from all six schools and celebrated the research accomplishments of the entire faculty.

This volume comes on the heels of the completion of a successful capital campaign and the construction of two new buildings on campus that I believe will make a large contribution to the growth of research at SMU. The Dedman Life Sciences Building, completed just over a year ago, and the Jerry Junkins Electrical Engineering Building, inaugurated within the past year, provide faculty members in the departments of Biological Sciences and Electrical Engineering, respectively, with up-to-date facilities to conduct cutting-edge research in their disciplines. The impact of such facilities is already being seen in the appointments made in the Department of Biological Sciences, which you can read about in the cover article in this volume. I have no doubt that the Junkins Building will play an equally significant role in advancing research in the School of Engineering.

The cover article about our research in the biological sciences features researchers who are working on the frontiers of science, emphasizing state-of-the-art methods in protein structure, cell biology, and recombinant DNA techniques. Specific research topics include conversion of food into chemical energy to provide fuel for life, gene regulation, causes of aging, and the ability of disease-causing pathogens to take over functions of the host.

Two faculty members – Professor Radovan Kovacevic from Mechanical Engineering and Professor William Dillon from Marketing – also receive prominent mention in this issue. Professor Kovacevic directs a Research Center on Advanced Manufacturing and Professor Dillon conducts research on consumer behavior and product development while shouldering administrative responsibilities as associate dean for academic affairs in Cox School of Business.

A new item introduced this year is the "Scrapbook" page that highlights faculty and student research in the field. In areas such as archaeology and geology, fieldwork is an essential part of research.

I wish to thank all of you who have supported us in the past 10 years. I look forward to your continued support and encourage your interest in what we do in the coming years.