Engineering Momentum: A conversation with Dr. Chuck Bunting on the future of CEAT research
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Media Contact: Kristi Wheeler | Manager, CEAT Marketing and Communications | 405-744-5831 | kristi.wheeler@okstate.edu
Q: As associate dean for research, how would you describe your vision for CEAT’s research
enterprise?
My vision is to support faculty by helping launch and sustain their research success.
Our mission is to develop students, engage in collaborative research and make a meaningful
impact locally, nationally and globally.
Q: CEAT’s research expenditures have grown over 90% in five years. What’s fueling
that momentum?
Strategic hiring of faculty writing high-quality proposals has been a huge part of
it. We’re supporting researchers who want to do big things.
Q: What makes CEAT an ideal environment for faculty looking to grow major research
projects?
Honestly, one of our biggest strengths is our research staff. They support faculty
through every stage of the proposal and award process, which gives faculty the space
and confidence to go after ambitious projects.
Q: CEAT is known for collaboration. How are you encouraging cross-disciplinary research?
We’re investing in tools like the Experts Directory to help faculty connect, and we
offer seed funding to jumpstart interdisciplinary projects. It’s all about lowering
barriers and encouraging new ideas.
Q: What kind of research is CEAT known for nationally?
CEAT is nationally recognized for its leadership in fire protection and safety engineering,
energy and petroleum systems, aerospace and unmanned aircraft systems, and emerging
terahertz technologies. CEAT’s fire research shapes safety standards, while its energy
and aerospace work support innovation in critical infrastructure and defense. CEAT’s
growing expertise in terahertz sensing and imaging opens new frontiers in security,
communications, and materials research — demonstrating CEAT’s strength in interdisciplinary,
impact-driven research.
Q: How is CEAT working with OAIRE to expand the reach of its research?
There’s huge synergy. Many of our students and faculty are trained in the same labs
and systems used by OAIRE. That makes CEAT a critical link in Oklahoma’s aerospace
and defense ecosystem. It’s also helping our students gain real-world, industry-relevant
experience.
Q: What does undergraduate research look like at CEAT?
It’s a priority. From Freshman Research Scholars to college- and externally-funded
programs, we have undergraduates working on meaningful projects from the start. They
learn how to communicate, solve problems and sometimes even publish before graduation.
Q: What infrastructure investments is CEAT making for research growth?
We’re investing about $1.5 million a year in startup packages for new faculty. And
we’re working on solutions for lab and office space to support our growing graduate
population. Supporting infrastructure is essential to sustained research growth.
Q: What message do you want to send to faculty and students considering CEAT?
If you’re looking for a place where research is valued and supported — where you can
do high-impact work with real-world applications — CEAT is that place. We’re resilient,
collaborative and committed to helping you succeed.
Photos by: Ellie Piper and Kristi Wheeler
Story by: Desa James | IMPACT Magazine