Curiosity is the engine of discovery.

It’s not a soft force—it’s a propulsive one. The kind that pulls you into uncertainty, compels you to explore what’s uncomfortable, and refuses to settle for easy answers.

At the University of Utah, curiosity has been our foundation for 175 years. It’s what drives our researchers to notice what others overlook, to ask better questions, and to build the future through bold ideas and rigorous inquiry.

But today, we face a new kind of challenge.

Twenty years ago, the U.S. led in 50 of 54 critical technologies. Today? Just 7 out of 64. Meanwhile, global competitors invest more, move faster, and protect their innovations more strategically.

We are in a new era—one that demands more than questions. It demands velocity.

R1 institutions must move with urgency—aligning discovery with national priorities and accelerating the pace of innovation.

Our charge is clear:

• We must transform curiosity into impact—faster.
• We must align discovery with national priorities—more deliberately.
• And we must build new systems that take research from idea to implementation without delay.

And we can’t do it without you.

Across the university, we are choosing not to react to external pressures, but to design our own future. As Provost Montoya recently shared, we must stop compensating for outdated systems and start building stronger ones—together.

We are united by a shared goal: To make our research more focused, more connected, and more impactful.

So whether you’re launching a new project, mentoring a student, or challenging a long-standing process, know this: you’re part of something larger. The U is moving—and we need your voice, your urgency, and your ideas.

Let’s lead the next era of research.
Let’s build the future we want to see.

Erin Rothwell, PhD
Vice President for Research