USTAR
Encyclopedia
The Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative is a technology-based economic development initiative funded by the state of Utah. The Utah State Legislature passed Senate Bill 75 creating the USTAR initiative in March 2006. This measure provided funding for investments at the University of Utah
(U of U) and Utah State University
(USU) to recruit researchers, build interdisciplinary research and development facilities, and to form science, innovation, and commercialization teams across the state.
This initiative focuses on leveraging the assets of Utah’s research universities (U of U and USU) in creating and commercializing innovative technologies to generate more technology-based start-up firms, higher paying jobs, and additional business activity leading to a state-wide expansion of Utah’s tax base.
Current USTAR research teams are:
and Utah State University
. The buildings provide research teams with advanced facilities aimed at innovation and commercialization of their respective focus areas. Funding for the projects came in March 2006 when State legislators created a $160 million USTAR building fund. The universities are providing a $40 million match, bringing the entire building budget to $200 million. The USTAR legislation required both of the research universities to donate land and make significant contributions towards the cost of the building prior to construction. Both the U of U and USU have designated land that will be used.
broke ground on a new interdisciplinary research facility in October 2008 and the building was completed in October 2010. The Construction Manager General Contractor (CMGC) for the building at USU was Gramoll Construction and the Architectural & Engineering (AE) firm was AJC Architects. Payette Associates designed some of the lab space. The facilities include a Bio Safety Level 3+ lab, a vivarium
, a clinical nutrition center, and life science labs. The building is located in the Innovation Campus on the north side of the entire USU complex in Logan.
is Layton Construction and the AE firm is Lord Aeck Sargent. At the U of U, groundbreaking took place on April 22 (Earth Day) 2009, with the facility slated to open in 2012. The building construction process is being led by Project Managers from the Department of Facilities and Construction Management (DFCM). The facilities will include labs for nanofabrication, small animal imaging, optical imaging, neurosciences, biotechnology, as well as a vivarium and data center. Recently the Sorenson Legacy Foundation donated $15 million, and the new building will be named the "James L. Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building - A USTAR Innovation Center." This follows a $1.25 million donation from the Micron Technology Foundation. The new building is to be part of a four-building interdisciplinary quadrangle which will be located between lower and upper campus and act as a central unifier between the work in the College of Engineering and the Health and Medical School. USTAR and the U of U are seeking LEED
certification for the building.
USTAR’s TOIP is the organization meant to help commercialize the research being done by USTAR research teams at the research universities. TOIP directors assist in creating businesses along the same lines of USTAR focus areas and research teams.
The regional program is led by industry-experienced directors across Utah. Each director heads an Outreach Center located at one of the state’s higher educational institutions.
The TOIP directors promote commercialization of local discoveries and technologies emanating from the State’s research universities and enable technology-based entrepreneurial activities in their respective geographical areas. Center locations include Weber State University, Utah Valley University, Utah State University - Vernal, and Southern Utah University.
The directors assist in expanding the transfer of new or improved technologies from state universities to existing companies and advancing research on behalf of Utah’s leading firms.
Besides working with emerging and existing technology businesses and entrepreneurs in their regions, the directors have pursued regional initiatives. These include:
SBIR/STTR Assistance Program
In an effort to assist small technology businesses and entrepreneurs, USTAR, Salt Lake Community College, Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Small Business Administration have opened the SBIR/STTR Assistance Center located at the Miller Corporate Partnership Center in Sandy.
The SBIR/STTR Assistance Center assists technology companies in matching their technology products to possible SBIR/STTR grants as well as assisting in the writing and submittal process. The center also presents training and provides workshops.
BioInnovation Gateway (BiG) Project
Located within the Granite Technical Institute (GTI) in Salt Lake City, the BioInnovation Gateway (BiG) project combines business incubation with workforce development. Up to seven companies will access biotech and engineering equipment used in the Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology programs of Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) and Granite School District.
BiG will offer biotech start-up businesses and students shared facilities, equipment, technical resources, and talent. The three primary objectives of BiG are:
BiG opened on October 27, 2009 and is primarily funded through federal grants and the GSD for the first three years, after which it will become self-sustaining.
The USTAR staff organization is composed of regional technology outreach staff (directors, analysts, and interns) and headquarters personnel. The TOIP offices work with local entrepreneurs and businesses, provide consulting to the university USTAR research teams, and pursue regional initiatives. The headquarters team supports the TOIP offices, and provides executive administration, accounting/finance, and marketing/communications services.
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
(U of U) and Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
(USU) to recruit researchers, build interdisciplinary research and development facilities, and to form science, innovation, and commercialization teams across the state.
This initiative focuses on leveraging the assets of Utah’s research universities (U of U and USU) in creating and commercializing innovative technologies to generate more technology-based start-up firms, higher paying jobs, and additional business activity leading to a state-wide expansion of Utah’s tax base.
Research Teams
USTAR has recruited research teams to Utah and developed internally within six focus areas. The focus areas are meant to be based on the universities’ existing strengths and have commercialization opportunities, address large markets ranging from statewide to global, and leverage Utah’s industry strengths.Current USTAR research teams are:
| Research Teams | Institution | Corresponding Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Sensing and Imaging | Utah State University | Construction, 3D simulation, transportation |
| Advanced Nutrition | Utah State University | Obesity, cardiovascular, diabetes, Alzheimer’s |
| Energy Lab- Biofuels | Utah State University | Transportation fuels, alternative energy |
| Fossil Energy- Carbon Engineering | University of Utah | Carbon capture & sequestration for utilities |
| Nanotechnology Biosensors | University of Utah | Cancer tests for early detection and treatment |
| Diagnostic Neuroimaging | University of Utah | Psychiatric diseases, Methamphetamine abuse |
| Imaging Technology | University of Utah | Early pathology treatment, drug evaluations |
| Biomedical Device Innovation | University of Utah | Targeted drug delivery to treat cancer |
| Micro & Nano Systems Integration | University of Utah | Biomedical monitoring & analysis, drug delivery |
| Wireless Nanosystems | University of Utah | Wireless communication at the nano level |
| Synthetic Biomanufacturing | Utah State University | Pharmaceuticals, fuels, plastics |
| Space Weather | Utah State University | Telecommunications, aviation, space |
| Circuits of the Brain | University of Utah | Down and Williams Syndrome |
| Digital Media | University of Utah | Film production, animation, online gaming, simulations |
| Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine | University of Utah | Tissue regen. for cardio, diabetes, osteoporosis |
| Personalized Medicine | University of Utah | Genetically targeted medical treatments |
| Nanoscale & Biomedical Photonic Imaging | University of Utah | High-resolution diagnostics at the cellular level |
| Veterinary Diagnostics/Disease | Utah State University | Diagnostics and infectious disease |
| Intuitive and Solar Buildings | Utah State University | Task-adaptive lighting solutions |
| Alternative Energy | University of Utah | Catalysis, solar energy technology |
Research Facilities
USTAR funding supports construction of facilities at the University of UtahUniversity of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
and Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
. The buildings provide research teams with advanced facilities aimed at innovation and commercialization of their respective focus areas. Funding for the projects came in March 2006 when State legislators created a $160 million USTAR building fund. The universities are providing a $40 million match, bringing the entire building budget to $200 million. The USTAR legislation required both of the research universities to donate land and make significant contributions towards the cost of the building prior to construction. Both the U of U and USU have designated land that will be used.
Utah State University
USUUSU
The three-letter acronym, USU, can stand for* Utah State University * Ulyanovsk State University * Uniformed Services University* Universidade Santa Úrsula * Universal Student Unionism...
broke ground on a new interdisciplinary research facility in October 2008 and the building was completed in October 2010. The Construction Manager General Contractor (CMGC) for the building at USU was Gramoll Construction and the Architectural & Engineering (AE) firm was AJC Architects. Payette Associates designed some of the lab space. The facilities include a Bio Safety Level 3+ lab, a vivarium
Vivarium
A vivarium is a usually enclosed area for keeping and raising animals or plants for observation or research...
, a clinical nutrition center, and life science labs. The building is located in the Innovation Campus on the north side of the entire USU complex in Logan.
University of Utah
The CMGC for the building at the University of UtahUniversity of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
is Layton Construction and the AE firm is Lord Aeck Sargent. At the U of U, groundbreaking took place on April 22 (Earth Day) 2009, with the facility slated to open in 2012. The building construction process is being led by Project Managers from the Department of Facilities and Construction Management (DFCM). The facilities will include labs for nanofabrication, small animal imaging, optical imaging, neurosciences, biotechnology, as well as a vivarium and data center. Recently the Sorenson Legacy Foundation donated $15 million, and the new building will be named the "James L. Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building - A USTAR Innovation Center." This follows a $1.25 million donation from the Micron Technology Foundation. The new building is to be part of a four-building interdisciplinary quadrangle which will be located between lower and upper campus and act as a central unifier between the work in the College of Engineering and the Health and Medical School. USTAR and the U of U are seeking LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
certification for the building.
Technology Outreach Innovation Program (TOIP)
USTAR’s Technology Outreach Innovation Program (TOIP) supports commercialization activities by lending business expertise to local opportunities and focus areas.USTAR’s TOIP is the organization meant to help commercialize the research being done by USTAR research teams at the research universities. TOIP directors assist in creating businesses along the same lines of USTAR focus areas and research teams.
The regional program is led by industry-experienced directors across Utah. Each director heads an Outreach Center located at one of the state’s higher educational institutions.
The TOIP directors promote commercialization of local discoveries and technologies emanating from the State’s research universities and enable technology-based entrepreneurial activities in their respective geographical areas. Center locations include Weber State University, Utah Valley University, Utah State University - Vernal, and Southern Utah University.
The directors assist in expanding the transfer of new or improved technologies from state universities to existing companies and advancing research on behalf of Utah’s leading firms.
Besides working with emerging and existing technology businesses and entrepreneurs in their regions, the directors have pursued regional initiatives. These include:
SBIR/STTR Assistance Program
In an effort to assist small technology businesses and entrepreneurs, USTAR, Salt Lake Community College, Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Small Business Administration have opened the SBIR/STTR Assistance Center located at the Miller Corporate Partnership Center in Sandy.
The SBIR/STTR Assistance Center assists technology companies in matching their technology products to possible SBIR/STTR grants as well as assisting in the writing and submittal process. The center also presents training and provides workshops.
BioInnovation Gateway (BiG) Project
Located within the Granite Technical Institute (GTI) in Salt Lake City, the BioInnovation Gateway (BiG) project combines business incubation with workforce development. Up to seven companies will access biotech and engineering equipment used in the Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology programs of Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) and Granite School District.
BiG will offer biotech start-up businesses and students shared facilities, equipment, technical resources, and talent. The three primary objectives of BiG are:
- To provide early-stage Life Science companies a cost-effective competitive edge by sharing space, equipment, and talent.
- To train outstanding students to develop creative thinking skills in a product-driven environment. Participating BiG students will earn degree credit at GTI, SLCC, or Utah Valley University.
- To offer third-party contract research services.
BiG opened on October 27, 2009 and is primarily funded through federal grants and the GSD for the first three years, after which it will become self-sustaining.
Digital Media Alliance
The newly created Utah Digital Media Alliance is a cooperative effort between industry, local universities and colleges, and government to help the digital media industry in Utah by promoting the discovery of new innovations, creating new high-paying jobs through fostering talent development and recruitment, and commercialization opportunities.Funding
State funding for USTAR is more than $15 million a year on an ongoing basis for research and technology outreach activities. In March 2009, the State Legislature passed Senate Bill 240, directing an additional $33 million for two years from American Reinvestment and Recovery Act sources. The majority of this funding is planned for new and expanded research and commercialization projects at the two research universities.Organization
The USTAR Governing Authority is a 10-member team with experience in invention, entrepreneurship, financial capital, university research, and running and growing companies. A current list of members can be found at http://www.innovationutah.com/aboutustar/ga.htmlThe USTAR staff organization is composed of regional technology outreach staff (directors, analysts, and interns) and headquarters personnel. The TOIP offices work with local entrepreneurs and businesses, provide consulting to the university USTAR research teams, and pursue regional initiatives. The headquarters team supports the TOIP offices, and provides executive administration, accounting/finance, and marketing/communications services.