At UTA, a Celebration of Research and Innovation
The University of Texas at Arlington is spotlighting the ingenuity and creativity of its students, faculty and staff at its first Celebration of Research and Innovation, scheduled for April 24 at College Park Center.
The day-long event, sponsored by Toyota, is akin to a collegiate science fair for UTA’s world-class researchers. It will feature some of the University’s top scientists and inventors alongside business leaders, entrepreneurs, commercialization experts and more. More than 30 members of the UTA community will be recognized for earning patents in the last three years.
“This event is aptly named, because we’re celebrating and honoring the Maverick spirit of innovation, inspiration and collaboration that has helped this University become synonymous with academic and research excellence in Texas,” said Kate Miller, vice president for research and innovation.
Eileen Clements, one of the event’s organizers and the interim executive director of the UT Arlington Research Institute, said she wants the campus research community to “learn where UTA innovators and inventors get their inspiration and how they navigate the world of innovation at the University.”
“We really want the UTA community to understand where their research can go,” Clements said. “By bringing together our scientists, entrepreneurs, commercialization experts and industry partners, we can maximize the impact of the amazing discoveries and technology developed here on campus.”
Attendees will have opportunities to:
- meet students, faculty and alumni who have started their own businesses based on the innovations they developed at UTA
- hear from teams of faculty working together on interdisciplinary research projects
- learn about the expertise and resources within the Office of the Vice President of Research and Innovation to conduct research and partner with industry
- learn about research going on across the University
- Robert Magnusson, professor of electrical engineering and the Texas Instruments Distinguished University Chair in Nanoelectronics, is the keynote speaker. Sherry L. McCaskill, manager of HR talent acquisition college programs, diversity and employer brand at Toyota North America, will deliver the sponsor address.
The celebration event also includes:
- presentations by UTA interdisciplinary research teams
- a panel discussion of UTA inventors and innovators
- a panel discussion of entrepreneurs leading UTA startups
- brief presentations highlighting research and innovation at each of UTA’s nine schools and colleges
- exhibits from the Bone-Muscle Research Center, Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Innovation, Center for Rural Health and Nursing, the North Texas Genome Center and more
UTA’s fast-growing research enterprise has led to statewide and national recognition. Since 2021, UTA has been by the state for its academic and research excellence and reaffirmed with the Carnegie R-1 designation for very high research activity, placing the University among the nation’s top 150 research institutions.
UTA is one of just 21 universities nationwide to be categorized as a Carnegie R-1 university and designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a dual requirement for the University’s founding membership in the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, which launched in 2022.
In addition to its Hispanic-Serving designation, UTA also is an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, making it one of just eight research universities nationally that share this commitment to being a fully multicultural campus.
UTA and its 250,000 alumni create an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion and nearly 250,000 jobs in Texas, according to a recent study.