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

Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University 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 Day at MSU.

ERDC’s senior leadership toured MSU’s research facilities and engaged with more than 1,200 students to encourage them to tackle some of the world’s greatest engineering challenges. Based in Vicksburg, ERDC serves as the research and development arm of the Army Corps of Engineers and has long-standing educational and research partnerships with MSU. More than 300 ERDC employees hold degrees from the land-grant university, and 48 MSU students were recently interned at 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 graduate. “You have to think outside the box here.”

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

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

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

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

For more on ERDC, visit www.erdc.usace.army.mil.

Mississippi State University takes care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.