In an effort to become a prominent international research institution, the University will create new research facilities and recruit top professors, bolstering the undergraduate and graduate science and technology programs, University Vice President and Provost Gene Block said.
The concept for the research program began five years ago as part of University President John T. Casteen, III's 2020 plan that identified areas in the science and technology fields for study, Block added.
"We hope to increase visibility of scientific research and enhance funding for graduate and undergraduate study," he said.
The University will aggressively recruit faculty for the research programs in the fall. Currently, the total investment will cost $124 million for the five-year plan, Block said.
Funding for the research program is "multi-pronged," Engineering Dean Richard Miksad said. University resources, donations and grants will finance the project.
The four target areas are nanotechnology and quantum sciences, morphogenesis and regenerative medicine, information technology and healthy aging.
To strike a balance between the strong arts and humanities departments and the sciences, Miksad said the University has been planning to enhance the science and technology research program for several years.
Since the world of science is advancing rapidly, Medical School Dean Arthur "Tim" Garson Jr. said the time is right to begin the research program.
"We are moving into the 21st century at a time when the pace of scientific discovery is logarithmic," Garson said. "It is the right time to be investing in science and technology for the entire University."
In order to establish the University as a top research institution, officials said they will recruit top professors from across the globe to supplement current science faculty.
"We will bring in super stars to get super results," Miksad said. "We want to bring in the very best resources and scholars to work with the very best students in graduate and undergraduate studies."
Medical Research Building 6 and an Advanced Research and Technology Building will house the new research programs. Currently, the buildings are in a planning stage.
Miksad said the program will be a plus for undergraduates, "planting the seeds" that spark an increased level in excitement for research studies.
The research program will benefit the entire University community. The new professors will provide students with the best educational experience and offer better patient care, Garson said.
"The [research program] will help all of us to be more collaborative around grounds," he added.
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