Three new members join the USTAR team
Three members join the Utah Science Technology and Research initiative in an effort to help Utah keep up with other states in scientific research and technological advancement.
USTAR is a state program that has research teams at USU and the University of Utah. To support the teams, $15 million is given to them annually. The program, which began in 2006, has three focus areas: Center for Advanced Nutrition, Center for Active Sensing and Imaging and BioFuels. USU USTAR has hired a researcher in each of these areas.
Name: David Ward
Team/Position: Center for Advanced Nutrition as an adjunct professor
Background: Ward earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, a master’s in biochemistry from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, a doctorate in biochemistry from Rockefeller University in New York and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London, England. He taught at Yale University School of Medicine from 1971 to 2004. Ward was then recruited by the Nevada Cancer Research Institute, serving as deputy director. His time will be split between the two, with 20 percent at USU.
Ward’s thoughts on working at USU: “Recent advances in genomic and proteomic technology suggest that it will soon be possible to treat patients with ‘personalized medicines’ designed to maximize efficacy and minimize adverse side effects. I will be working diligently with USU faculty to identify genetic markers that may be utilized in the commercial development of novel and diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Collectively, we will be working on genetic markers fro neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, developmental disorders such as autism and neonatal deafness, and cardiovascular diseases such as venous thromboembolism.”
From Ned Weinshenker, USU Vice Pres for Strategic Ventures & Economic Development: “(Ward’s) expertise in biomarkers and genetics is well respected by our faculty, and he is already serving as a catalyst to move several of our key biological studies forward. He is also very cognizant of the commercial potential of the work and will be instrumental in helping spin out new technologies and companies.”
Name: Allen Howard
Team/Position: Center for Active Sensing and Imaging as principal investigator and as a research professor in the physics department
Background: In 1995 Howard founded Terregraf, a high-resolution subsurface imaging company. He has worked as a professor in Brazil at Universidade do Para and Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense and at the University of Arizona. He is now on leave from the U.S. Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Tooele were he works on the technical staff.
Howard’s thoughts on working at USU: “Most of my career has centered on geophysical remote sensing in academic and industrial settings. The appointment in CASI as a USTAR professor reconnects my geophysical remote sensing experience. With my colleagues, I look forward to the opportunities and challenges in developing this new technology.”
From Gail Bingham, chief scientist at USU’s Space Dynamic Lab and CASI team member: “Dr. Howard brings with him extensive insight into the problems of both natural and hazardous particulates. He is a world-renowned authority on aerosol remote sensing and will be working with USU to develop a nationally recognized aerosol measurement laboratory and modeling capability.”
Name: Jeff Muhs
Team/Position: USU biodiesel team, serving as executive director
Background: Muhs was raised in Noble, Ill., receiving an associates degree from Vincennes University and a bachelor’s in electro-optics from the University of Houston. He has authored 14 patents and has technical publications and magazine articles. Coming from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Ward will split his time between the two until he officially starts at USU on Dec. 1, 2007. He has most recently been named Science Communicator of the Year in 2004 for Oak Ridge.
Muh’s thoughts on working at USU: “With USTAR funds, USU has both the human and financial capital needed to move forward quickly with a truly transformational approach to producing biofuels. Ultimately, my goal is to develop a world-class energy research center at USU that spins out companies, creates good jobs and is a catalyst for economic prosperity in Utah.”
From Ned Weinshenker, USU Vice Pres for Strategic Ventures & Economic Development: “Jeff will bring a crucial element of coordination to the biofuels team. With as many as 30 members currently on the team, in several colleges and disciplines, we will need to ensure that all are working with ultimate efficiency. Jeff’s experience in project management, for similar technologies at ONRL, will add immensely to the success of the initiative.”
-alison.baugh@aggiemail.usu.edu