An op-ed published in mid-May 2026 in the Wisconsin State Journal discusses the University of Wisconsin-Madison's 'Engineering Moonshots,' a set of six ambitious initiatives designed to tackle significant societal challenges. Author Tom Still, a former president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, highlights the importance of these projects, which span critical areas such as human health, sustainable energy, and quantum technologies. Dean Devesh Ranjan of the College of Engineering envisions these moonshots as a way to revolutionize research by fostering collaboration across various academic disciplines. He believes that the initiatives can lead to substantial public benefits, echoing the spirit of the Apollo space program's goal of landing on the moon. The success of these initiatives will be assessed over time, acknowledging the distinct nature of each goal. Ranjan's background in a farm family in India has shaped his perspective on the role of public universities in driving innovation for societal good.