Innovation
with impact
At Wayne State University, discovery is just the beginning. From life-saving treatments to cutting-edge tech and next-gen mobility, our researchers turn big ideas into real-world solutions. Fueled by collaboration with industry, government and community partners, we don’t just imagine a better future — we build it.
Innovation
with impact
At Wayne State University, discovery is just the beginning. From life-saving treatments to cutting-edge tech and next-gen mobility, our researchers turn big ideas into real-world solutions. Fueled by collaboration with industry, government and community partners, we don’t just imagine a better future — we build it.
A history of health breakthroughs
Dr. Forest Dewey Dodrill, professor of surgery, teamed with General Motors engineers to design a mechanical heart pump and successfully performed the first open-heart surgery at WSU’s Harper Hospital in 1952.
From 1964 to 1987, Dr. Jerome Horwitz, a Wayne State professor, pioneered a new class of drugs for cancer treatments that remain vital to HIV and AIDS treatment today.
A WSU-led clinical study on premature birth prevention uncovered a low-cost natural progesterone gel that reduced early preterm delivery by 45%.
“Our faculty lead the nation in many key research areas and their innovative discoveries make a difference in the everyday lives of others around the corner and around the world. We strive to continue making an impact through our groundbreaking research.”
Dr. Ezemenari M. Obasi,
vice president for research & innovation
vice president for research & innovation
WSU is Addressing SOCIETY’S GRAND CHALLENGES
Empowering lifelong health
How do we advance and empower lifelong health through personalized preventive medicine?
How do we advance and empower lifelong health through personalized preventive medicine?
Revolutionizing smart mobility
How can we develop and deploy smart mobility capabilities into personalized solutions for our rapidly evolving world?
How can we develop and deploy smart mobility capabilities into personalized solutions for our rapidly evolving world?
Powering innovation with AI
How can we leverage responsible human-AI collaborations to allow us to drive discovery, innovation and economic growth?
How can we leverage responsible human-AI collaborations to allow us to drive discovery, innovation and economic growth?
Fostering sustainable environments
What critical steps can we take to develop sustainable environments that elevate our quality and length of life?
What critical steps can we take to develop sustainable environments that elevate our quality and length of life?
Research by the numbers
$291.7M
in research activities — a university record
Top 100 university
granted U.S. patents
241 businesses
on campus through WSU’s TechTown
Learn more at wayne.edu/research-impact.