Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative
OVERVIEW The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah’s “knowledge economy” and generate high-paying jobs. Funded in March 2006 by the State Legislature, USTAR is based on three program areas. The first area funds strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers. The second area is to build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facilities at these institutions for the innovation teams. The third program area involves teams that work with companies and entrepreneurs across Utah to promote technology commercialization. Research Teams Nearly 40 leading researchers from around the country have been recruited to Utah since USTAR’s inception, and recruitment continues. Strategic innovation focus areas include: • Energy – Conventional and Alternative • Biopharma/Biodevice • Medical Imaging and Brain Medicine • Imaging Technology and Digital Media • Nanotechnology Based on preliminary data for fiscal years 20072010 combined, USTAR research teams have attracted federal and other extramural funding to the state at nearly twice the rate projected in USTAR’s 2005 economic prospectus. Detailed data will be posted at http://www.innovationutah.com.
Collaborating with other Southern Utah economic development stakeholders, USTAR was instrumental in launching the Information Technology and Renewable Energy business incubator in St. George.
Some research highlights include: • In the last year, USTAR researchers Massood Tabib-Azar (U of U) and Ken Tobiska (USU) have started or relocated companies to Utah. • HCCS, a U of U/Headwaters, Inc. joint venture based on research by Brian McPherson, is performing a $2.7 million study of carbon dioxide management for a Midwest-based ethanol plant. McPherson is considered one of the world’s leading experts on carbon sequestration of greenhouse gases. G o v e r n o r ’s O ff i c e o f E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t • A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 1 0 • w w w. b u s i n e s s . u t a h . g o v
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