Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative
OVERVIEW Turning innovation into industry 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: • Strategic investments at the University of Utah (U of U) and Utah State University (USU) to recruit world-class researchers • Construction of state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facilities at these institutions for innovation teams • Deploying teams that work with companies and entrepreneurs across Utah to promote technology commercialization Research Teams USTAR has recruited 49 entrepreneurial minded “star” researchers from around the country, organized into innovation focus areas aligned with Utah’s seven strategic industry clusters. Areas include: • Energy and Environment • Biopharma/Biodevice • Medical Imaging and Brain Medicine • Imaging Technology and Digital Media • Nanotechnology Based on data for fiscal years 2007 to 2012, USTAR research teams have attracted $131 million in federal and industry-sponsored grant funding to the State with an additional $100 million in grant awards for programs such as EPSCoR, MRSEC and STORM. This performance exceeds the goals of USTAR’s 2005 Economic Prospectus by more than 70 percent.
Photo courtesy of U of U Brain Institute
U of U USTAR researcher Ling Zang recently launched a startup company, Vaporsens, which uses nanotechnology to detect methamphetamine.
Governor’s Office of Economic Development • 2012 Annual Report • www.business.utah.gov
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