University on the rise without PhD students

California State University in Northridge (CSUN) is ranked 24th in the latest Nature Index of the 25 North American institutions classed as 'Rising stars' (see go.nature.com/2dfvirb). Of these, CSUN has the greatest percentage increase in publications in 2012–15 in high-impact journals (up by 190.61%). As professor emeritus at CSUN, my view is that the rise is attributable to the university's unusual research model.

The university does not offer any PhD degrees. Instead, science undergraduates and master's students work alongside exceptional faculty members, who train and mentor them in research. The faculty includes 28 prestigious members hired over the past decade. The dean of the science college, Jerry Stinner, backed by the university chairs, president and provost, organized CSUN funding to recruit and support them. This support included comprehensive packages of research equipment and supplies, specific laboratory renovations and a reduced teaching load while they set up their labs.