“ The most consequential problems do not fit neatly within a single discipline. C A S S A N D R A M O S E L E Y, P H . D. V I C E P R E S I D E N T F O R R E S E A R C H C S U “By combining that expertise with spe cialized facilities, industry partnerships, and commercialization support through STRATA, CSU can move discoveries more quickly toward practical use and eco nomic impact.” CSU’s influence extends well beyond Colorado. Fort Collins’ designation as one of just five new USDA regional hubs underscores the university’s evolving role at the center of agriculture, animal health, biotechnology, and public health. Combined with the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation and Centers for Disease Control-affiliated research laboratories, these national assets strengthen Colorado’s position as a leader in life sciences. The possibilities are especially powerful in translational medicine. At the C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute, part of CSU’s top-ranked veterinary medi cine program, six specialized laboratories span cellular engineering, immunotherapy, companion animal studies, orthopaedic research, bioengineering, and preclinical surgical research. Together, they create a launchpad for veterinarians, physicians, engineers, and researchers to unlock dis coveries in health across species. Studies from the Flint Animal Cancer Center involving pet dogs with natu rally occurring cancers are improving veterinary care while informing new approaches to human disease. A treat ment developed through CSU research in collaboration with Children’s Hospital Colorado at the University of Colorado Anschutz is now moving through a phase 1 clinical trial for pediatric osteosarcoma. State programs such as the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade’s Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant have provided critical funding to move more than 80 CSU projects toward commercial licensing and startup creation. “Over the next decade, the greatest oppor tunities will come from intersections, particularly in advanced therapeutics, infectious disease, biomedical engineering, and AI-enabled discovery,” Moseley says. CSU is also developing the talent to carry this work forward. More than 5,000 students participate in undergraduate research opportunities each year, devel oping the expertise that will help meet the workforce needs of Colorado’s fast est-growing industries. CSU’s legacy is deeply intertwined with Colorado’s own, shaped by decades of discovery in service of a larger purpose. As the pace of life sciences innovation accelerates, CSU is preparing the people whose curiosity and ambition will define the trajectory of science and human health. Top: Sean Gleason, USDA Agricultural Research Service scientist, collaborates with the Translational Medicine Institute to examine drought-tolerant traits in plants with a micro-CT scanner. The team of CSU, CU, and U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists says understanding this special trait could improve agricultural productivity and food security. Right: Staff at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) rehearse procedures in the primary operating room. CSU VTH is one of the premier centers globally for canine open-heart and minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The heart team features board-certified medical cardiologists and surgeons who handle complex congenital and acquired heart conditions. 8 2026-27 BIOSCIENCE COLORADO
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