Statler College bolsters WVU’s record-breaking NSF research expenditure rankings and breaks some records of its own

Professor of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering Edward Sabolsky works with materials science doctoral candidate Saad Waseem to prepare a solid-oxide electrolysis cell manufacturing test. (WVU Photo/Paige Nesbit)

The Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to innovation, achieving a record high of $52.2 million in total research expenditures for the 2023 fiscal year. As a result, all engineering programs reached the top 100 rankings in the latest National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey. 

Story by Laney Eichelberger, Storyteller
Photos by Paige Nesbit

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

In the 2023 fiscal year, WVU secured a record-breaking $246.2 million in research expenditures, funds used to conduct the University’s broad spectrum of research efforts. The HERD Survey, a data report by NSF on research and development expenditures across more than 900 national higher education institutions, reveals federal, state and local support for research efforts. The Statler College is one of the largest contributors to WVU research and its expenditures are no different — engineering and computer science programs accounted for an impressive 21.2 percent of the University’s total research funds. 

Funds distributed across the Statler College support top researchers in tackling global challenges in areas such as infrastructure, energy, health, robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and space exploration. While these advancements pave the way for West Virginia and the nation, research efforts also provide unique opportunities for faculty and students. It clearly pays off — the HERD Survey also showcases engineering as the field with the highest number of earned doctorates across WVU. 

Electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and materials engineering led the College’s HERD rankings with  $8.8 million, $8.5 million, and $8.1 million each, propelling WVU into the top 100 engineering programs nationwide.   

During the 2023 fiscal year, the main sources of funding for the college were the U.S. Department of Energy and NSF — championed research efforts in water distribution safety, the use of AI models in genetic engineering, hydrogen production, and measurement of methane emissions across Appalachia.  

“Research is at the core of improving societal challenges,” stated Xingbo Liu, associate dean for research and Statler Chair of Engineering. “The generous funding from organizations like these are essential to give our researchers the tools to advance knowledge and understanding, improve health and well-being, drive technological innovation, solve environmental problems, enhance quality of life and foster economic growth in the state and beyond." 

Just as the University breaks records, so too does the Statler College. In recent years, the overall College’s research expenditures, including external and institutional research expenditures, have surged by approximately 34.5 percent, increasing from $38.8 million in the fiscal year 2018 to $52.2 million in the fiscal year 2023. Since 2020, the College has also seen a 72 percent increase in externally funded engineering and computer research and development. This upward trajectory showcases the Statler College’s role in maintaining WVU’s status as the state’s flagship, land-grant R1 institution. 

“I’m thrilled by the significant growth of research within the Statler College” said, Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College. “Our faculty, staff and students are truly living up to the R1 classification, consistently breaking boundaries and exceeding expectations. As the college’s dean, I am incredibly proud of our research community and confident that both the scope and quality of our research will continue to grow.”

Statler College research expenditures of the 2023 fiscal year include:

Statler College total: $52 million

Engineering programs: $50 million, ranked 96 in the nation

Electrical Engineering: $8.8 million, ranked 84 in the nation

Chemical Engineering: $8.5 million, ranked 45 in the nation

Materials Engineering: $8.1 million, ranked 42 in the nation 

Mechanical Engineering: $6.8 million, ranked 77 in the nation 

Civil Engineering: $6.5 million, ranked 84 in the nation 

Other Engineering: $4.7 million, ranked 97 in the nation 

Industrial Engineering: $3.9 million, ranked 35 in the nation 

Aerospace Engineering: $2.7 million, ranked 54 in the nation 

Computer Science program: $2.2 million, ranked 181 in the nation

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