Methodology and Evaluation Research Core Facility

MERC is hiring! Join the MERC team and make an impact through data and evaluation! We’re looking for: 📌 Senior Evaluation Project Manager – Lead cutting-edge evaluation projects. 📌 Data Specialist – Manage and analyze data while supporting innovative research methods. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gUAcNXVq #NowHiring #EvaluationJobs #DataJobs #CareerOpportunity #UNL

Exciting news from MERC client Shuai Nie, assistant professor in the School of Computing! With a $340,000 NSF grant, Nie and her collaborators are breaking barriers in wireless communication by developing an innovative smart surface. This cutting-edge technology aims to revolutionize connectivity for next-gen 6G applications like virtual reality, robotics, and smart factories. We’re proud to support groundbreaking projects like this that embody the power of data and innovation. Learn more about her impactful work: https://lnkd.in/gTrskWSf

🎉 Shoutout to several of MERC’s amazing clients who have been ranked among the world’s top researchers! ✨Dr. Toshihiro Obata ✨Dr. Shaui Nie ✨Dr. Christian Binek ✨Dr. Paul Kononoff We’re honored to support these brilliant minds as they continue to push the boundaries of research and innovation.

Meet MERC client, Sangjin Ryu, aka "Professor Otaku," an Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering. With a passion for anime and sci-fi, Professor Otaku has transformed his engineering classes by using popular animation and movies to explain complex concepts. Whether it’s analyzing Godzilla’s water dynamics or testing the aerodynamics of Möwe from Studio Ghibli's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Ryu’s unique approach makes challenging theories and science accessible and engaging. His innovative teaching style not only captivates students but also sparks lively discussions, turning lectures into an exciting blend of science and pop culture. Read more about Professor Otaku by clicking on the linked article! #STEMeducation #Anime #University of Nebraska-Lincoln #popculture

🌾 Exciting news from MERC client, Joe Louis, who has identified a key hormone, IAA-Asp, that strengthens sorghum's natural resistance to the destructive sugarcane aphid! This multidisciplinary research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln uncovered how a gene mutation boosts plant defenses, offering a more sustainable approach to agriculture. This groundbreaking work, published in New Phytologist, showcases the power of innovation and collaboration. Big congrats to the team! 🥳

Congratulations to the ADAPT project team and MERC client, led by beef expert, Galen Erickson, for receiving the UNL Grand Challenges Catalyst Award! Their pioneering work is setting the stage for a climate-smart beef industry by developing assessments, practices, and tools that are scientifically proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon capture in grazing systems. As Nebraska continues to lead the nation in beef production, this project is crucial for ensuring a sustainable future—environmentally, economically, and socially. We're proud to support their innovative efforts!

🌾 We're excited to spotlight an impactful MERC-evaluated project! Husker researchers, led by Dr. Harkamal Walia, have made groundbreaking discoveries in boosting rice’s resilience to nighttime heat stress—a rising challenge due to climate change. With support from a $5.78 million NSF grant, this research holds immense potential to ensure sustainable rice yields globally. 🚀 Learn more about their innovative work and its future impact on global food security. #AgInnovation #ClimateResilience

🌱 We’re thrilled to highlight our amazing MERC client, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Growing Together Nebraska project, featured in Nebraska Today! 🌽 This initiative, powered by Nebraska Extension, SNAP-Ed, and Master Gardener volunteers, is transforming communities by growing and distributing fresh produce to nearly 20,000 Nebraskans. Their work is a true testament to promoting better health and food security across the state. Learn more about their impactful work at go.unl.edu/gtn. #CommunityImpact #HealthyNebraska 

MERC is proud to work with the UNL Graduate Studies team at the Nebraska Summer Research Program. With top-tier resources, dedicated faculty, and a supportive community, it’s no wonder over 1,500 scholars from all over the world have thrived here. Faculty members, read on to learn more about how to apply for an REU, and don't forget to keep MERC in mind for your evaluation needs! #ResearchExcellence #evaluation #studentsuccess #nsfreu

🌟 Congratulations to our colleagues at the Rural Drug Addiction Research Center (RDAR) on their remarkable achievements! 🌟 After over five years of groundbreaking research, the RDAR center, based at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been awarded an impressive $11,597,682 Phase 2 renewal grant from the The National Institutes of Health Institutes of Health. Led by principal investigator Rick Bevins, the center is dedicated to understanding and addressing the complexities of rural drug use and misuse in the Midwest. Kudos to the Rural Drug Addiction Research Center team for their impactful work in driving positive change!