From grant strategy and infrastructure to indirect costs, university research relies on a complex, fast-moving system to pursue discoveries and deliver real-world impact. Lara Ferry, vice president of research for ASU Knowledge Enterprise and President’s Professor, joins the show to explain how universities balance basic curiosity-driven work with applied goals, the challenges and opportunities of the current federal funding landscape and more.

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise.

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Episode credits

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin and Christian Van Bebber

Edited by Alexander Chapin and Quinton Kendall

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Editorial support from Diane Boudreau and Sandy Leander

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson