Best-kept secret in research is too prolific to remain hidden: North Carolina A & T State University's prowess in discovering and developing technology is attracting global attention.

When the topic of research is mentioned in North Carolina, one tends to think about the two largest state universities located just a few minutes apart. But perhaps the best-kept secret in research in the state is North Carolina A & T State University. Ranked third in research funding for fiscal year 2005 (behind UNC Chapel Hill and N.C. State), NCA & T is now a globally recognized research powerhouse. "Our vision is to be the premier interdisciplinary research institution in the nation," says Dr. N. Radhakrishnan, vice chancellor for research and economic development. "We believe that not only can we compete in mainstream research areas, but that we can win those big, competitive grants."

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Radhakrishnan's statements are more than just talk. Since 1998, NCA & T has doubled its research dollars, last year bringing in almost $36 million. This year, the university is on track to top that figure. "We have some niche areas, such as advanced materials and nanotechnology, and computational science and engineering, in which we are world-renowned. Our aim now is to let everyone know that we are producing quality research in other areas," he says.

To that end, the university defined eight core research clusters: advanced materials and nanotechnology; biosciences and biotechnology; computational sciences and engineering; energy and environment; information sciences and technology; leadership and community development; logistics and transportation systems; and public health. The clusters represent a way of bringing faculty together across disciplines to develop multimillion-dollar proposals in the university's strength areas.

The cluster concept has proven successful--spawning interdisciplinary efforts across the campus. The result of that research is paying off both monetarily and in economic development throughout the Piedmont Triad. "Our goal is to be able to transition and transform more of our research into new products and jobs. We want to make an impact on our region," Radhakrishnan says. "Our outreach and technology-transfer office has done a great job of converting research into intellectual-property and licensing deals. We are positioning ourselves to make an active and present contribution to the Triad's economic growth."

A favorite philosophy of the vice chancellor's that he has instilled upon the research community at NCA & T is, "when there is a will, there is a way." That will encompasses building on the...