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A collage of 4 images showing students and faculty performing research using electronic equipment, machines, cattle, precision agriculture vehicles, and lab equipment

Division of Research & Economic Development

The Division of Research and Economic Development works closely with university researchers, business leaders and other sponsors to promote faculty expertise aimed at solving real-world problems in society and industry. The university has positioned itself as a leader in agriculture and precision agriculture, remote sensing and life sciences. The research enterprise also capitalizes on expertise in digital technology related to agriculture and resource management.

The precision agriculture initiative brings together experts from computer science, statistics, engineering, remote sensing and agriculture, as well as industry partners to increase the profitability and the sustainability of agriculture.

  • Research expenditures increased by more than $4 million from $63.5 million in fiscal year 2018 to $67.6 million in fiscal year 2019. This 6.5% increase moves the university closer to its Imagine 2023 goal of increasing research productivity by 40%.
  • SDSU ranked 182nd for total research and development expenditures in 2019, according to the National Science Foundation.

Division of Research & Economic Development News

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River otters

Restoring the river otter

In the late 1990s, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe reintroduced approximately 35 river otters into the Big Sioux River. Otters, which at one time could be found throughout the Upper Midwest, had become nearly extinct in South Dakota due to habitat loss, pollution and unregulated harvest. ...
Advanced Unsat Triaxial Device

Searching for solutions to America's infrastructure problem

Infrastructure—like roads, bridges, dams and airports—form the backbone of society and are essential to economic development. In 2021, the United States earned a "C-" grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers for its infrastructure.

SDSU researchers investigating conservation solutions for pinyon jays

A bird that once flourished throughout the Western United States is falling victim to population decline.