Newly Hired USU USTAR Professor was featured on NOVA Jan. 19

Utah State University’s newest USTAR hire, Randy Lewis, is featured in a four-part PBS NOVA series that started Wednesday, Jan. 19. The focus of the series, “Making Stuff: Stronger,” examines emerging, futuristic-type technologies that are enhancing material properties to literally “make stuff stronger.”

Lewis, who is transitioning from the University of Wyoming, is bringing himself, his laboratory, research assistants and world-renown capabilities.

The thrust of Lewis’ research is based on what he calls “Spider Silk.”

“The spider silk does not actually come from the spiders; rather, it comes from proteins generated by certain bacteria, goats and silkworms,” Lewis said. “We then use those materials to create a strong silk-like fiber.”

One might wonder what silk spun from proteins might be used for, and the answer is quite simple, according to Lewis.

“The major efforts are for artificial ligaments, tendons, bone repair materials, parachute materials, car air bags, tire cords and a variety of materials for sports clothing,” he said.

Lewis has attracted the attention of some of the nation’s top funding sources, including NIH, the Air Force, the DOE, NSF and USDA.

“We are currently working with Caisson Labs in Logan on producing the spider silk proteins in cotton seed and expect to work with them on our alfalfa project,” Lewis said.

Regarding his transition to USU, Lewis said he is looking forward his move to USU as it will enable him to expand the work he started at the University of Wyoming. He is particularly excited about the new USTAR building and facilities, the Center for Integrated Biosystems and the new USU farm facility. 

“However, the real key is the emphasis that USU has in the biological sciences and the USTAR support for developing those areas,” Lewis said. “We believe we are bringing expertise in areas that can be used by a number of faculty in a variety of departments.”

“We are pleased Randy is coming to Utah State,” said Vice President for Commercialization and Regional Development Robert Behunin. “Randy’s alignment with USU’s newest USTAR BioInnovations Facility, and with the complimentary core of faculty in the colleges of agriculture, science and engineering, will bring significant research, innovation and commercialization opportunities and returns to the university and to the state of Utah.”

A preview of the NOVA series can be seen at the website.

For more information, contact Behunin, robert.behunin@usu.edu, 435-722-1766 or Lewis at silk@uwyo.edu, 307-766-2147.

Contact: Rob Behunin, 435-722-1766, robert.behunin@usu.edu; or Randy Lewis, 307-766-2147, silk@uwyo.edu