USU research sparks 60 Utah companies over years
Utah State University has the 16th most-productive researchers in the nation and is a great treasure to Utah and its economy, and it’s not just the famous Aggie ice cream.
In a DVD called “Research Matters,” provided by USU Research, President Kermit L. Hall said, “Our researchers solve practical problems and, at the same time, generate real economic benefits for the state.”
He said they provide high-quality jobs, a technically gifted work force, and the ability to transfer discoveries they make through research into businesses that do everything.
These businesses modify genes, engineer water systems, enable young children to read and promote space travel, Hall said.
Public relations and media specialist Anna Brunson said, “Sixty companies in the state had their beginnings in USU research and technology. These companies brought in more than $300,000,000 in taxable revenue and employed more than 1,000 people.”
For every dollar provided by the state, USU brings in $6 from federal government and industry, Brunson said.
Also in the DVD, Logan Mayor Doug Thompson said, “We really depend on USU in having a great research institution, providing new businesses and new jobs for us and not experiencing the kind of downturns that other economies have. Some of the best jobs in the valley have been created by USU research.”
Brunson said she could write a book about the many great research projects being done at the university. For example, USU has sent more experiments into space than any other university in the nation. It is working on cures for the West Nile virus, which many scientists believe will enter Utah this spring, she said.
In addition, USU is working on the drought condition by finding ways to conserve water, Brunson said. Its researchers are aiding in the fight against bioterrorism, so USU ranks 12th in the nation in research funding from the U.S Department of Defense, she said.
“A researching faculty is a higher-quality faculty. When they are in the cutting edge of their field they are able to share parts of that with the students that are learning from them,” Brunson said.
There are more than 130 research-related courses available to all undergraduate and graduate students and employees. There are a lot of opportunities students don’t take advantage of, she said.
Some students do take advantage of these opportunities, however.
A couple of students working as an undergraduate team have been creating an air conditioner with no moving parts, which could be a great economic opportunity for USU, Brunson said.
–paulrjenkins@cc.usu.edu