Research Programs In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dr. David Smith, Director North Carolina Agricultural Research Service Positioning Ourselves for the Future

“ We are here to educate students and to create new knowledge through our research. And, of course, in Land Grant Universities, a third leg of that stool is to extend that information and see that it has value….. What I found that I enjoyed the most about academic administration was helping others be successful. You cannot be fulfilled in an academic administrative role if you don’t enjoy creating an environment where other people can be successful. Because it can’t be about you. It’s got to be about the students and the faculty.” Chancellor Randy Woodson Spring 2010

The Knowledge Pipeline

CALS Research n Our research is about outcome that enriches the lives of our citizens. –Healthy, safe, and sustainable food. –Healthy population with access to effective therapies. –Diverse ecosystems and sustainable environment. –Renewable and affordable energy. –Economic development

CALS Research n Our programs impact every citizen in North Carolina –Our agricultural programs directly support the state’s largest industry and 700,000 jobs –Our human health, food safety, and wellness programs impact everyone. –Our work in ecosystem diversity, environmental protection, and land use impact urban and rural citizens.

NC State n Is the largest university in the UNC System. n NCARS has the third largest ARS budget in the USA. n We have both agriculture and life science faculty. n We are positioned to succeed!

The strength of our program is our people NCARS is supported by over 1,000 faculty, staff and graduate students

Examples of Research Diversity n Crop and animal production systems n Applied genomics in plant, animal, and microbial systems n Structural biology, metabolomics, and systems biology n Quantitative, computational biology, and bioinformactics n Plant Breeding n Aquaculture, fisheries, and livestock biology n Integrated crop protection systems n Bioprocessing and value enhancement of food, fiber, and bioenergy crops. n Ornamentals, turfgrasses, small fruits, and vegetables n Food security and safety n Animal nutrition n Animal welfare and behavioral biology n Ecosystem Sciences and climate change n Human nutrition and health n Market function and impact of policy on markets

Balanced Portfolio of Research n Agricultural programs and life sciences n Commodity support and competitive grants n Hypothesis driven research and the generation of intellectual property n Discovery, translational research and service n Production agriculture and human health

Success Occurs Through Teamwork Common Goal Leadership Talent Resources

NCARS Expenditures $127.8 million

Message n The ratio of appropriated to external support is about 1 to 1. –External funding doubles our capacity to conduct research. –Appropriated and external support are both important. –Attention to state needs is important in maintaining state funding and thus our capacity to obtain extramural funding. –Appropriated support will decline over time and external support must increase to maintain program.

Appropriated Support for Agricultural Research

Competitive Grant Support for Agricultural Research

Message n Our appropriated funding is among the highest in the USA. n Our competitive funding is respectable, but at least some of our peer institutions are doing better than us. n The competition is high and success is variable. –Graduate and technical support on grants will be constantly at risk.

Message n Our large appropriated budget and our commodity support are a strength. n But, they can become a weakness if we become complacent and are not aggressive in the competitive arena. n We are diverse enough that we can do both.

CALS Research Contracts FY 2009 $50,755,662

Federal Sponsors of CALS Research FY 2009 $23,675,107

Research Support from Selected Sponsors

AFRI Priority Science Areas n Global Food Security and Hunger n Climate Change n Sustainable Energy n Childhood Obesity n Food Safety

USDA Competitive Funding YearNumber of Awards Total Funding per Award $16,776,679$108, $17,828,093$98, $11,929,904$78, $16,166,647$96, $9,808,242$53,891

USDA Funding FY /18 Dept. 165 faculty

NSF and NIH Funding FY /18 Dept. 87 Faculty

Message n In 2009, USDA supported 155 projects involving 165 faculty in 13 departments. –Current AFRI priorities may not result in reduced funding but it will greatly reduce the number of faculty. n NIH and NSF supported 84 projects involving 74 faculty in 9 departments. –Core facility upgrades to compete in human health arena.

Message n Competition for federal funding is very high. –Variability among years. n Opportunities to increase funding in human health and environment. n Some faculty/departments are not competitive in current national priorities.

Opportunities

Increase Collaborations with Industry When There is Mutual Benefit n Universities offer significant intellectual capacity and infrastructure which result in lower development costs than in-house R&D. n IP and scholarship issues must be addressed.

Grant Support vs. IP n In 2009: –CALS faculty generated $50,755,662 in contract income which resulted in $6,355,621 in F&A to NCSU. –The net return to CALS was $1,251,936 and $685,655 to departments. n In 2008: –CALS generated $2,205,920 in royalty income (61% of NCSU receipts). The net return to CALS was $626,771 and $313,386 was available for return to departments.

Message n NCSU is among the best of our peers in IP sharing with the inventor. n There is institutional and personal recognition for patents issued. n But, the total return to the units is low compared to grant income and F&A. n Financially, we are better off pursuing grants and contracts and being less concerned about total ownership of IP.

Additional Opportunities n Formalize and expand international programs. n AFRI shift is positive for some. Build multidisciplinary and institutional collaborations. n Increased NC Biotech Center interest in Ag Biotech (30 in 10 intiative). n Human Health and Environment

Agrosphere Modeling for Producing Large Increases in Food Yield (AMPLIFY) - An NC State University initiative for high intensity sustainable agriculture (led by Payne and Boston)

Challenges n Resource allocation –Commodity support vs. need to grow the life sciences –Startup and matching commitments. n Investment in research capability rather than direct investment in research. –Core facilities vs. technical support n One size approach to funding doesn’t work. –Remove silo funding? –Separate admin/budget for life science vs. ag?

Talking Points (Internal Priorities) n Intellectual property and revenue sharing with units. n Source of funding and eligibility for GSSP. n CALS share of student growth is critical for life science growth. n A great university depends on a great faculty. We need to support not hinder faculty productivity. –University processes, OH on TSA, gift fees.

After 10,000 Years of Agriculture, Whither Agronomy? Previously Published in Agron. J. 100:22–34 (2008) Fred P. Miller * Trends in U.S. demographics, farm numbers, farm size, and land in farms, 1850–2006

Comparison of Corn and Soybean Yields in the United States: Historical Trends and Future Prospects Published in Agron J 100:79-88 (2008) D. B. Egli * Corn and Soybean Yields in the USA High Yield Potential Low Yield Potential

Trends in Irrigation, n America's irrigated land constitutes one sixth of the nation's harvested cropland but accounts for one third of the country's agricultural productivity and about half of the value of all crops. n But this irrigated land accounts for about 40% of America's fresh water withdrawals and more than 80% of the nation's consumptive fresh water use. n In 2000, the nation's irrigated agriculture withdrew 59% of its water needs from surface water sources. Groundwater supplied the remaining 41%, a percentage that has been increasing After 10,000 Years of Agriculture, Whither Agronomy? Previously Published in Agron. J. 100:22–34 (2008) Fred P. Miller *

The Case for Research n 25,000 people die each day from chronic malnutrition and about 3/4 of the deaths are children. n Global population will increase 38% by n World food demand will double by 2050; 50% from population growth and 50% from economic growth.