By Xoel Cardenas, Sr. Communications Specialist, Office of the Vice President for Research 

At this year’s Mental Health, Brain, and Behavioral Science Research Day, University of Utah Vice President for Research Erin Rothwell delivered the opening remarks, underscoring both the urgency and impact of the research community’s work.

“If you look at all the challenges our country has faced, research has been a focal point for solutions,” said Rothwell. “If we really want to keep America going, we have to keep research universities going.”  

The annual Research Day event brought together faculty, students, staff, and collaborators to highlight groundbreaking research, foster collaboration, and recognize outstanding poster presentations.

Rothwell shared a personal story about teenagers and social media to illustrate how deeply mental health challenges affect today’s youth and society, in general. Using this example, Rothwell highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing researchers, noting strong federal investment in mental health. “Mental and behavioral health is still a high priority for federal funding,” she said. 

Research not only drives discovery but also powers Utah’s economy, supporting more than 8,000 jobs statewide, Rothwell said.  The U now ranks just outside the top 20 in research universities in the country, and its researchers are consistently “punching above their weight” in securing competitive grants in multiple research fields. 

Rothwell called on faculty and students to stay ambitious, collaborative, and persistent—even in uncertain times.

“I always get asked, ‘What can I do to help?’” Rothwell said. “My answer is: keep doing what you’re doing, because you are awesome. You are making a difference. You are powering solutions through research to solve one of the most critical challenges facing our country today.”