Joe Fanguy's innate sense of wonder about science and its practical applications first guided him to the international science fair in junior high school. That same curiosity led him to a career in connecting research with the public.
Fanguy, assistant director of MSU's office of technology commercialization, works with university researchers to find the best route for their research results to reach the public, which can lead to start-up companies or licensing agreements with existing companies.
While lots of useful research at the land grant university involves classified information linked with government programs like the Department of Defense, other research has universal appeal, such as an innovative method to keep termites out of your house.
"Our office strives to find public applications and benefits for the cutting-edge research being conducted at MSU," he said.