Engineering Momentum: A conversation with Dr. Chuck Bunting on the future of CEAT research

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 | [email protected]

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