Big Sky Institute
Center for Computational Biology
Center for Bio-inspired Nanomaterials (CBIN)
Geographic Information & Analysis Center (GIAC)
Local Government Center
Montana Space Grant Consortium
Optical Technology Center (OpTeC)
Spectrum Lab
Thermal Biology Institute
Wheeler Center for Public Policy
Writing Center
WWAMI

Big Sky Institute
The Big Sky Institute is an exciting research and education center that is connecting the public to the important science about the Yellowstone Ecosystem. Several faculty members from L&S participate in research and education projects with BSI, and serve on its steering committee.

Center for Computational Biology
The CCB is an interdisciplinary unit supporting research and education in the general area of Computational Biology through the combined use of advanced experimental, theoretical and computational approaches. The Center is directed by John Miller, Ph.D., Professor of Cell Biology and Neuroscience.

Center for Bio-inspired Nanomaterials (CBIN)
The Center for Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials blends the efforts of five MSU researchers, who are already working on various aspects of nanotechnology, and other scientists who may join them. The original CBIN researchers are Trevor Douglas, David Singel and Mary Cloninger in chemistry, Yves Idzerda in physics, and Mark Young in plant sciences and plant pathology. CBIN concentrates on two areas of application. One involves magnetic materials and is funded through a National Science Foundation (NSF) program called NIRT for Nanotechnology Interdisciplinary Research Team. The other application focuses on the delivery of medication to specific parts of the body and is largely funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Geographic Information & Analysis Center (GIAC)
Established in 1989 as an MSU Center within the Department of Earth Sciences, GIAC provides GIS services to the academic community and to the Montana community at large. The Center contributes to the university's programs of education, research and outreach by conducting on- and off-campus workshops, providing GIS technical support to the GIS-user's community, maintaining a GIS and Remote Sensing Computer Lab, and conducting joint government-industry-university research using a variety of geographic information system and remote sensing package.

Local Government Center
LGC works to build and sustain working partnerships with local government practitioners and their professional associations, Montana Tribal governments, key state agencies, the Local Government Committees of the Montana State Legislature, and the appropriate departments, centers, faculty and staff of the Montana University System. Jane Jelinski, a faculty member in Political Science, has been the Center's director since July 2001.

Montana Space Grant Consortium
Established in 1991 as a component of NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, the Montana Space Grant Consortium is one of a national network of 52 members working to strengthen aerospace research and education in the United States. The Montana Space Grant Consortium awards fellowships and scholarships to students pursuing aeronautical or space related studies and also awards stipends to undergraduate students pursuing space-related research at all member campuses. MSU is the consortium's lead institution, directed by Bill Hiscock of L&S's Physics department.

Optical Technology Center (OpTeC)
OpTeC is an interdisciplinary center with research groups from Physics, Chemistry & Biochemistry and Electrical Engineering. OpTeC promotes research on optical materials, lasers and optoelectronic devices, sensors, micro-optical systems, holography, and coherent optics. Seven of the center's ten research groups are led by faculty from L&S's Physics and Chemistry departments.

Spectrum Lab
The Spectrum Lab was established in 1999 to advance the opto-electronic technologies emerging from the research labs of MSU. Today, the lab continues to perform advanced research and development, to establish university-corporate partnerships and to provide research training for students. Randy Babbitt, from the Department of Physics, is the director.

Thermal Biology Institute
The Thermal Biology Institute (TBI) is a multidisciplinary team of scientists studying the unique thermal environment within Yellowstone National Park. TBI has 11 scientists, 20 students, 10 postdoctoral researchers and seven full-time technicians. Funded by an appropriation from NASA, TBI strives to conduct cutting-edge research focused on the biology of geothermal systems, to promote coordination and collaboration among academicians and resource agencies, and to contribute to the advancement of education and public awareness on the biocomplexity of geothermal environments. Co-directors are Bill Inskeep (Land Resources and Environmental Sciences) and John Peters (Chemistry and Biochemistry).

Wheeler Center for Public Policy
The Burton K. Wheeler Center for Public Policy in Bozeman, MT, promotes the discussion, analysis and eventual resolution of critical issues facing Montana and the region. The Center holds an annual conference and business roundtable, sponsors research and lectures, publishes conference reports and maintains a web page for Montanans and others who are seeking solutions to some of today's most pressing issues and problems. Professor Gordon Brittan (History and Philosophy) has been director since 1991.

Writing Center
The Writing Center offers free tutoring services to MSU students working on MSU writing assignments. The Writing Center employs 30-40 tutors who assist with understanding assignments, discovering research strategies and polishing academic style. Kirk Branch, English, is the director.

WWAMI
WWAMI is a cooperative program of the University of Washington School of Medicine and the states of Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. It makes medical education accessible to students in the northwestern United States by decentralizing the educational process and by sharing existing facilities and personnel in universities and communities in the WWAMI states. Support of WWAMI by the State of Montana allows 20 qualified Montana residents to be admitted to the University of Washington School of Medicine each year.

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