UNT to invest millions in multi-disciplinary research collaborations

President Gretchen M. Bataille spoke to nearly 650 UNT faculty and staff members during the annual Fall Convocation Sept. 9.

Dear Alum,

Our university took an important step forward today and I wanted to be sure you were among the first to know. This morning, during our annual Fall Convocation, it was my privilege to officially and publicly announce UNT's plan to invest at least $25 million to support multi-disciplinary collaborative research efforts.

Our plan is to recruit world-renowned faculty to expand our research contributions in fields in which we already have a proven nucleus of established excellence. Simultaneously we will improve the infrastructure to support more cutting-edge research by developing our available space and providing the equipment needed for the research initiatives.

We will begin this year with the development of six research clusters that capitalize on the expertise and reputations of current UNT faculty members. By investing in known areas of excellence, we will use our strongest existing research efforts to stimulate growth in complementary areas. Our goal is to tackle some of society's biggest challenges today.

The work of our clusters include the discovery of more effective ways to treat conditions such as autism, cancer and heart disease; the development of more durable jet engines and better materials for an array of uses; the investigation of molecular plant signals that could lead to innovations across the scientific spectrum; and the exploration of new ways to support sustainable environments.

UNT's first six clusters will align common research efforts in several broad areas:

• Bio/Nano-Photonics
• Computational Modeling and Simulation of Materials
• Developmental Physiology and Genetics
• Signaling Mechanisms in Plants
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Advanced Research in Technology and the Arts

This initiative builds on our previous significant investments to support cutting-edge research. In 2004 we opened a new 105,000 square-foot Chemistry Building and this year we are beginning construction on a new 81,000-square-foot Life Sciences Complex. We also are continuing to expand Discovery Park, our nearly 290-acre research park that was acquired in 2001.

I invite you to learn more about our research clusters, and hope you are all as excited about this new initiative as I am.

With green pride,
Gretchen M. Bataille
President