{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67f5a4318e7bdeb4a63ed446/6ac6469deea51f2aa38a2ab1?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Colorado State’s Mission - Turning Research Into Real Solutions","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67f5a4318e7bdeb4a63ed446/1791379165945-09686555-35b9-4b9e-b92a-351b8e7388d3.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>In this episode of Micro Journeys Inside Access, host Daniel Marrujo catches up with Odaro Huckstep, Director of Defense Engagement at Colorado State University (CSU), to talk about the university&#39;s engagement at African Lion 2026. </p><p><br></p><p>Odaro explains how CSU is working to bridge academic research with fielded military work using the university&#39;s drone research center. He walks us through the university&#39;s Rapid Prototyping Lab and shares how the facility and drone center are already supporting SETAF-AF&#39;s interests. </p><p><br></p><p>The conversation also digs into the &quot;Valley of Death,&quot; and the challenge of getting new systems fielded. What used to be a stall point has shifted with many of the roadblocks cleared. CSU initiatives are at the forefront of that shift. By embedding researchers directly in field exercises like African Lion, it&#39;s moving technology from concept to warfighter faster than ever before.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>What You&#39;ll Discover in This Episode:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>[00:43] </strong>How Odaro and the defense engagement department at Colorado State University are aligning campus research with national security priorities.</li><li><strong>[01:53] </strong>Odaro introduces Chris Robertson and John Mizia and explains how together they’re bringing drone center and Rapid Prototyping Lab expertise to CTAF. </li><li><strong>[05:14] </strong>How Colorado State is working toward rapid prototyping capability that could reach the tactical edge via C-130.</li><li><strong>[10:07] </strong>The drone application ranges and how the CSU research team is harnessing the technology for either search and rescue or combat missions, </li><li><strong>[12:11] </strong>Programs like SBIR, STTR, STRATFI, and TACFI are shortening the &quot;Valley of Death&quot; challenge by bridging research funding and fielded technology.</li><li><strong>[19:53] </strong>The importance of the CSU team field testing in Morocco at African Lion.</li></ul><h3></h3><h3><strong>Let’s Connect</strong></h3><ul><li><u><a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-marrujo/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Daniel Marrujo</a></u></li></ul>","author_name":"Trusted Strategic Solutions"}