Select West Virginia University research efforts were featured and displayed for West Virginias Congressional delegation and staff members Jan. 18 at a reception and exhibition in Washington, D.C.

The first everShowcase of West Virginia University Research Initiativeswas held in the Hart Senate Building on Capitol Hill. West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller and First District Cong. Alan B. Mollohan, in addition to nearly 50 congressional staff members representing each member of the states Congressional delegation, attended the event.

This event is intended to highlight the impact that WVU research is having on the state and nation,said John D. Weete, WVU vice president for research and economic development.One of our goals was to show that WVU is delivering on federal investments.

Projects presented included: forensics; biometrics; WVNano Initiative; aquaculture; unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); HSC scanning PET ; Cancer Center research; radio astronomyphysics; Choosy Kids; Water Research Institute; Industries of the Future; and the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute.

This opportunity allowed WVU to demonstrate and explain, hands-on and in person, some of the very important research being conducted here and how it impacts those beyond Morgantown,said Dr. Mridul Gautam, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.The Showcase was an excellent way to relay the return on investment (ROI) for federal funding of these projects.

In addition to WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. and two University vice presidents, the event was also attended by WVU Research Office staff and by deans of the colleges represented by demonstrations.

A forum such as this provides an excellent opportunity for WVU researchers to meet with and interact with the West Virginia Congressional delegation and their staff members on a one-on-one level,Hardesty said.This event, in combination with the State of the University Address on Capitol Hill, provides WVU with a great presence in Washington, D.C.