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USTAR Investments Taking Shape at University of Utah
The University of Utah (U of U) announced last month two significant investments in TBED supported by USTAR, the state-funded initiative to grow Utah's knowledge economy.
Following a recent $15 million donation from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, U of U officials said they would begin construction next year on the 193,000-square-foot anchor facility for the new Interdisciplinary Quadrangle, which encompasses 11 acres bridging the upper and lower campuses. The Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building will be the first of four multidisciplinary facilities and will house advanced imaging and nanotechnology laboratories. USTAR is investing $100 million in the facility, which is slated for completion in 2012. The goal of the Interdisciplinary Quad is to bridge the university's health professions, engineering, science, business and law sections of the campus.
Also announced last month was the establishment of the Nano Institute of Utah located on the U of U campus. The institute will help attract industry-sponsored research and other collaborative efforts with life science businesses, said USTAR nanotechnology consultant Darwin Cheney in a U of U press release. A central role of USTAR is providing funds to recruit top scientists to lead cutting-edge research programs, including the assemblage of the research team for the Nano Institute.
During the last legislative session, lawmakers appropriated additional funds for the USTAR initiative, including a one-time expenditure for research teams and funds to establish USTAR Centers, a program that extends the school year for math and science teachers (see the March 12, 2008 issue of the Digest). Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. is expected to unveil his budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year to the legislature in mid-December.
Utah