In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with Dean Naomi Boyd and Dr. Melissa Akaka from the Daniels College of Business to explore how research is evolving in higher education and the impact and opportunities of becoming an R1 institution. Together, they discuss the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and societal impact in expanding what “quality research” means in today’s world.  The conversation highlights how Daniels faculty are bridging academic scholarship with real-world challenges, connecting research to business practice, and preparing students to think critically and creatively. Boyd and Akaka share how data, partnerships, and technology -including artificial intelligence - are impacting how research is used, applied, and shared beyond the University of Denver campus.