Wright State administrators meet with Air Force Research Lab leaders

Leaders from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have been in contact with Wright State administrators to discuss strengthening relations between the base and the university and pursuing research opportunities.

AFRL directs the Air Force’s science and technology research budget. The lab’s research is focused on aerospace warfighting technologies.

University President Cheryl Schrader met with individuals from AFRL to discuss outreach opportunities through the air force base, according to a release from the Wright State Newsroom.

In the Newsroom release, Schrader mentioned that STEM and healthcare fields have large workforce needs in the Dayton region. Wright State is attempting to fulfill those needs through research partnerships. The university posted about $100 million in research and sponsored programs, according to the Newsroom.

AFRL Commander and Maj. Gen William Cooley emphasized the Pentagon’s focus on science and technology. He also noted the importance of computer software in modern industry.

Schrader stated the possibility of having Wright State Research Institute as a means to translate research into the field more quickly.

University deans shared with AFRL members projects their colleges have worked on in the past. They were provided with contact information from AFRL Executive Director Jack Blackburst, should they want to pursue opportunities with the lab in the future.

Cooley has expressed the possibility of working directly with Wright State researchers, possibly in the Neuroscience Engineering Collaboration Building.