'Freedom' giant miscanthus grass, developed by MSU plant and soil sciences professor Brian Baldwin, is licensed as a high density source of feedstock for biomass-based fuels. With potential to be a major fuel source and clean energy solution, giant miscanthus research is one reason Mississippi State is among the nation's leading major research universities, according to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Designated by Carnegie as "a very high research activity university," MSU represents the highest level of research conducted for doctorate-granting universities in the U.S.