MSU, ERDC celebrate impactful research collaborations, growing pipeline for Mississippi scientists, engineers

STARKVILLE, Miss.—��Ƶ and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center celebrated research collaborations and career opportunities for students this week during the third annual ERDC Days at MSU.

U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Director David Pittman speaks Wednesday [Oct. 30] during ERDC Days at MSU. (Photo by Kristen Polk)

ERDC senior leadership toured MSU research facilities and connected with more than 1,200 students to encourage them to tackle some of the world’s biggest engineering challenges. Headquartered in Vicksburg, the ERDC serves as the research and development branch of the Army Corps of Engineers and has longstanding educational and research partnerships with MSU. More than 300 ERDC employees have degrees from the land-grant university, and 48 MSU students interned recently with the center.

ERDC Director David Pittman said MSU researchers and students have a mindset of supporting the nation and solving problems, which makes them a good fit for his group.

“If you want to come up with a new way of doing something, come work for ERDC,” said Pittman, a two-time MSU alumnus. “You have to think outside the box here.”

Pittman also highlighted multiple ongoing research collaborations between the ERDC and MSU, including using wire arc additive manufacturing to more rapidly produce parts for key infrastructure, modeling pavement sustainment strategies for U.S. airfields around the world, and using recycled products in the production of railroad ties.

During Wednesday’s keynote presentations, MSU leadership noted the importance of the ERDC’s work in solving problems that impact our state and nation, as well as the hands-on research opportunities for students at MSU and the ERDC.

“When you look at MSU and ERDC, it is an amazing accumulation of research power in our state,” said Keith Coble, MSU vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. “I am excited that our relationship is expanding and growing.”

As Mississippi’s leading research university, MSU manages approximately $325 million in annual research expenditures, working to advance key scientific fields and deliver solutions for state, federal and industry partners. The ERDC administers an annual research program exceeding $2 billion. Both organizations are known as leaders in the field of high-performance computing, among other areas of mutual expertise. Between the ERDC, MSU and systems managed by the U.S. Navy at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi ranks among the top five states nationally for supercomputing power.

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