BGSU Research

Impacting Communities

Research with Community Impact

BGSU is a public university for the public good, and our mission relies on students and faculty who undertake more than 1,500 sponsored research, service, education and workforce development projects annually. The University's research impact can be seen across the region, state and beyond.

BGSU Impact

Research by the Numbers

Carnegie Research Classification

$19M+

Annual Research Expenditures

$65M+

Annual Active Portfolio

50+

Issued US patents

Research Centers

The Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health: Future of Freshwater

The Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health is actively researching and addressing toxic algal blooms in Lake Erie. With research vessels on the lake and sites in northwest Ohio, their work contributes to a deeper understanding of the causes and solutions to this significant human health issue affecting freshwater sources worldwide.

The Center for Family and Demographic Research: Guiding Public Policy

The Center for Family and Demographic Research (CFDR) is a leading population center that provides infrastructure support and a stimulating intellectual environment to advance knowledge and bring together faculty affiliates from a range of disciplines. The Center, working hand in hand with the National Center for Family & Marriage Research (NCFMR) amplifies campus research capacity, mentors junior scholars, and fosters multidisciplinary collaborations that generate innovative population science.

The Center for Photochemical Sciences: The Power of Light and Chemistry

Faculty with the Center for Photochemical Sciences are studying the uses of light-responsive chemical compounds for beneficial applications in the health industry, agriculture, and other fields. Research topics include developing degradable substitutes for plastic, bio-gels to minimize watershed runoff, and advanced materials to improve solar technologies.

The Center for the Future of Forensic Science: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

Researchers with the Center for the Future of Forensic Science made a life-saving discovery in response to the national opioid epidemic. They scientifically proved that the laundry detergent OxiClean will deactivate fentanyl. That research finding is helping law enforcement and other first responders prevent accidental exposure to the deadly drug.

Research News

BGSU faculty and students studying children's gut health and its effects on food allergies Grant-funded through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dr. Wan Shen is collaborating with children and families from the ProMedica Allergy and Immunology clinic in Perrysburg.
BGSU research finds clear link between children's education level and parents' risk of dementia Research finds that when children don't graduate from high school, their parents are more likely to suffer from cognitive decline and dementia.
Global digital transformation leader to deliver public lecture at BGSU on the transformative power of generative AI Dr. Darren Pulsipher will examine how generative AI can enhance creativity, improve productivity and streamline workflows.
A growing threat: BGSU researchers continue to detect dangerous levels of harmful algae in Africa's Lake Victoria Used by nearby residents as a primary source of water for drinking, bathing and domestic use, BGSU research finds high levels of toxin in Lake Victoria
BGSU pioneering research that could dramatically improve outcomes for long-term hospital patients Using an NIH grant, the labs of Dr. Joe Furgal and Dr. Alexis Ostrowski are collaborating with University of Georgia researchers on a project that could dramatically improve rates of secondary infections in hospitals.

All Research News

Updated: 10/22/2025 02:49PM