The University plays multiple roles in driving the State’s economy.
It prepares students for Maryland’s work force, conducts state-ofthe-
art research that feeds innovation, commercializes technology,
and partners with federal agencies and private industry on research
and entrepreneurial projects. These facets form a powerful nexus
of discovery, creation, and training. Entrepreneurship, innovative
research, and valuable partnerships work in concert to strengthen
Maryland’s citizens and its economy.
Entrepreneurial services move new research discoveries to the marketplace,
serving society and building businesses. Critical to this process is
the culture of entrepreneurship that thrives at the University. Classes on
venture capital, resources for technology commercialization, facilities
for bioprocess scale-up, and more, connect scholarship to application.
The University partners with emerging companies to pioneer new products
and to enhance the State’s competitiveness. This builds Maryland’s
economy, creating new jobs and businesses, bringing high-tech jobs into
the State, and improving lives with scientific advances.
Programs and Services
The Maryland Technology Enterprise
Institute (MTECH) is a key resource in
entrepreneurial activity on campus. MTECH
provides a portfolio of services including
product research, manufacturing solutions,
and contract bioprocessing, through multiple
programs: Maryland Industrial Partnerships
(MIPS), Technology Start-Up Boot Camp,
Hinman CEOs, A Scholars Program for
Industry Oriented Research and Engineering
(ASPIRE), Venture Accelerator Program,
Technology Advancement Program (TAP),
Bioprocessing Research and Education
Program, and a $75,000 Business Plan
competition. In 2008 alone MTECH served
innovation in 400 Maryland companies and
boasts an impact on over 8,500 jobs since
1983. Its economic impact in the State since
1983 is $19.7B in goods and services at a cost
to the State and the University of $88.8M.
Innovative Products
Pioneering companies are launched at the
University including companies that create
data protection systems, alternative energy
solutions, and national security tools.
RioRey products, for example, detect and
block Internet attacks in seconds, rather
than hours. Zymetis Inc., has developed
a process that breaks down cellulose for
transformation into ethanol, using bacteria
from the Chesapeake Bay. This finding has revolutionary implications for biofuels
and was lauded by Governor Martin
O’Malley for its innovation. Traffax
monitors traffic with unprecedented accuracy,
reducing air and water pollution by
cutting traffic congestion.
Award-Winning Companies
Three graduates of the University incubator
took first place in their respective categories
at the 2008 Maryland Incubator Company
of the Year Awards, administered by the
Technology Development Corporation
(TEDCO). The competition is supported by
the Maryland Department of Business and
Economic Development and other partners.
It awarded AccuStrata Inc. Best New
Incubator Company, and Zymetis Inc., the
Life Science Award for Best Technology
Transfer Company. TRX Systems Inc. was
named Best Homeland Security Company.
It went on to win first place and a $500,000
federal contract prize at the international
Global Security Challenge held in London.
Two University start-up companies
placed in the top five among 400 entrants
in the National Council of Entrepreneurial
Tech Transfer’s 2008 National University Start-ups Competition. Exponential
Storage took honors for its network storage
products optimized to deliver massive
digital content files simultaneously to large
numbers of users. Goozex was recognized
for its data storage solutions for medical
imagery, security information, and digital
entertainment.
Partnering with the State
The State has generously supported the
University’s efforts to commercialize
research advances. In 2008 the State chose
MTECH to administer the Chesapeake Bay
Seed Capital Fund, an initiative that will
invest $250,000 annually over a three-year
period in Maryland-based start-up companies
whose technologies improve water quality
in the Chesapeake Bay. Two Universitybased
start-ups have already benefited from
this initiative: Traffax was chosen for
a $50,000 investment for its potential to
reduce vehicle pollution and Zymetis Inc.,
for its alternative energy potential.
TRX Sentinel Location and Monitoring
System, a product of TRX Systems, also
received a substantial federal grant from
the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
The funds support the Maryland Fire and
Rescue Institute and the A. James Clark
School of Engineering’s development of a
system to track first responders in hazardous
environments.
Patents and Licenses
The University’s Office of Technology
Commercialization (OTC) helps inventors
navigate the requirements of business and
industry. In FY08 OTC processed 132 invention
disclosures from 247 inventors across
seven colleges. OTC ensures intellectual
property rights through patents or copyrights
and negotiates and executes license
agreements for the University and inventors.
In FY08 OTC negotiated 13 license agreements,
six of them in Maryland.
Student Entrepreneurs
Two living-learning communities support
student entrepreneurs, educating them to
tackle the marketplace. Hinman CEOs is the
nation’s first entrepreneurship living-learning
community. Hillman Entrepreneurs
is a partnership with Prince George’s
Community College that provides merit
and need-based scholarships for entrepreneurially
minded students. Hillman teams
placed first and third in the undergraduate
pision of the 2008 $50,000 Business Plan
Competition. The University offered 10
courses in entrepreneurship in 2008 with over 800 students enrolled. Topics included
“Fundamentals of Technology Start-up
Ventures,” “Advanced Engineering Start-up
Ventures,” "Entrepreneurship in Chemical
and Life Sciences," and “Innovation
Management,” among others.
“Investment in higher education is the best investment in
the economic future of Maryland, even, or perhaps most
importantly, in times of economic distress.”
—Commission to Develop the Maryland Model for Funding Higher Education
Funding Student Companies
Hinman CEO students who are starting
companies will now have access to more
seed funding, thanks to a generous alumnus
who graduated from the University
incubator. Anik Singal, named among the
“Best U.S. Entrepreneurs, 25 and Under” by
BusinessWeek.com established a fund this
year with other Hinman alumni to help
current Hinman students start their own
companies. Singal is now CEO of Affiliate
Classrooms Inc., a leading publisher of
educational tools for interactive marketers
and a Hinman program product.
Another supporter of entrepreneurship
is Kevin Plank, founder and CEO of
Under Armour, who started an alumni
endowment fund at the Dingman Center
for Entrepreneurship in 2007. Plank also
sponsors the annual Cupid’s Cup at the
University, where student entrepreneurs
compete for seed money. This year Plank’s
famous Under Armour apparel became the
official gear of all 27 University athletics
teams through a $17M, five-year partnership.
The University’s national reputation for
entrepreneurial activities is rising steadily.
U.S. News & World Report ranked the
University #9 among public universities for
entrepreneurship.
-
Building the Economy Through Research
New research contracts and grants contribute to national security,
health care, and advanced computing, among many other fields.
Here are a few specific examples:
National Security Research
Threat Detection
The Department of Defense has awarded a
$2.5M contract to two University bioengineering
professors to support their research
on next generation threat detection systems.
Using biological models of intercellular communication
to guide the development of electronic
devices that perceive environmental
threats, the work may also have implications
for medical diagnostics.
Terrorism
The National Consortium for the Study
of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism
(START) has been renewed for an additional
three years by the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security. START will receive
$5.2M in the coming year and an anticipated
$12M through 2011 to continue its work
on the world's largest and most comprehensive
database of terror incidents that
have occurred since 1970. START awarded
over $125,000 in scholarships this year to
students who agree to work in homeland
security for one year after completing
their degrees.
Electromagnetics
With $20M over five years from the
Office of Naval Research, a new Center
for Applied Electromagnetics pools the
talent of 20 University faculty members
from seven research centers and academic
departments. The new Center’s work will
form a basis for all-electric ships, speed-oflight
weapons, and advanced communication
technologies. With plans to involve 25
graduate students in its research, the Center
is also developing relationships with other
universities, government labs, and industry.
Intelligence
Siting and construction of the first
Intelligence Advanced Research Projects
Activity (IARPA) building in M Square is
expected to be completed in 2009. IARPA is
the U.S. government’s intelligence research
headquarters, supporting the most advanced
research on intelligence. The Center for
Advanced Study of Language complements
the arrival of the new agency in M Square.
Microvehicles
Development of autonomously operating,
networked microvehicles that crawl
and fly to enhance soldiers’ tactical situational
awareness in urban and complex
terrain is the goal of a new $10M Micro
Autonomous Science and Technology
(MAST) Collaborative Technology Alliance
Center on “Micro Systems Mechanics.” In
collaboration with other universities, the
Department of Aerospace Engineering was
selected by the Army Research Laboratory
to lead the new center.
Culture, Biometrics and Helicopters
For the second year in a row, the University
leads the nation in winning three
Multidisciplinary University Research
Initiative (MURI) awards. MURI is a multiagency
program overseen
by the Department of
Defense with Army, Navy,
and Air Force awarding
offices. The 2008 awards
will lead research examining
the effect of culture on
collaboration and negotiation;
remote multimodal
biometrics for the maritime
domain; and rotorcraft
brownout. The principal
investigators work in
psychology, electrical and
computer engineering, and
aerospace engineering.
“As we continue to grow our work force, there is no better investment
in Maryland’s future prosperity than higher education.”
–Governor Martin O'Malley
Medicine/Health Care Research
Breast Biopsies
$1.3M from the National Institutes of Health
supports research developing a teleoperated
robotic system with sensory feedback capability.
In collaboration with the University
of Maryland School of Medicine, the system
will provide accurate feedback to physicians
performing breast biopsies and/or radiofrequency
ablation under continuous magnetic
resonance imaging.
Avian Flu Vaccine
A University-led science team has developed
a universal influenza vaccine for
animals that may help prevent or delay
another human flu pandemic. This important
step promises to make it easier to create
a human vaccine capable of protecting
humans against lethal avian flu strains. The
University-based Prevention and Control
of Avian Influenza Coordinated Agricultural
Project, which draws researchers from 17
states, was re-funded in 2008 with a second
$5M grant from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
Nano-Velcro
A sponge has been designed by University
researchers that stops hemorrhaging when
applied directly to a wound, and a spray that
halts blood loss and seals tissue in situations,
like combat, where more intensive treatment
is inaccessible. The patent-pending biomaterial
won the prize for “Best Inventor Pitch”
at Bioscience Day 2008, attracting the attention
of venture capitalists.
Advanced Computing Research
Cloud Computing
The University has joined six other universities
in a Google-IBM partnership called
“cloud computing.” The research initiative
writes parallel applications that fully utilize
remote data centers rather than the conventional
one-server, one-application model.
Our component of the program is located
in the University of Maryland Institute for
Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) and
the College of Information Studies.
Combating Terrorism
UMIACS is using computer modeling to
fight terrorism with its development of the
Stochastic Opponent Modeling Agents
(SOMA) Terror Organization Portal. SOMA is
artificial intelligence software that forecasts
the probability of terrorist strikes. Another
UMIACS software project, Opinion Analysis
System, works at the intersection of artificial
intelligence and databases to identify the
intensity of opinion on any topic. It analyses
30,000 news articles each day in eight
languages.
Quantum Computing
After competing with over 300 physics
departments the University has been
awarded a prestigious Physics Frontier
Center by the National Science Foundation.
The $12.5M Center is a partnership between
the Joint Quantum Institute (JQI) and
the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST). Its interdisciplinary
work seeks to exploit the strange phenomena
of quantum mechanics for tasks such as huge
database searches and creating unbreakable
data encryption. JQI research published in
Science in January 2009 describes the first
teleportation of information between two
atoms located meters apart with no connectivity
between them.
Partnering on Research
Promoting high-impact, large-scale research
initiatives is an important goal of our strategic
plan. For the second year in a row the
University of Maryland, College Park and
the University of Maryland, Baltimore have
jointly invested in research partnerships
addressing complex medical challenges
such as cancer, brain injury, and tuberculosis.
These projects are designed to result in
joint research grant proposals to funding
agencies such as NIH. In 2008 nine research
collaborations were funded from 49 proposals,
and enthusiasm for the program on both
campuses is growing. Six of the University’s
colleges participated in 2008, double
the number in 2007, and funding for the
program from the two campuses grew from
$450,000 to about $700,000 annually.
Partnerships are the most effective means to expand our assets to achieve
strategic goals. The University collaborates with other universities, private
industry, State and federal agencies, and foreign governments, thereby adding
the strengths of its partners to its own. By assembling the expertise and support
of a wide spectrum of participants, the University leverages and expands
its assets for particular initiatives. The University’s strategic plan highlights
the importance of perse and complementary partnerships in building a
world-class university. For the second year in a row, University faculty initiatives
won over $400M in external research funding to support research by
undergraduate and graduate students and faculty scholars.
Federal Partners
Seventy-two percent of University research
sponsorship is through federal contracts and
grants with agencies such as NSF, DoD, NASA,
NIH, FDA, NOAA, NIST, and Departments of
Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Homeland
Security, Education, Health and Human
Services, and others.
The University has incomparable expertise
and a top position on national security
topics. With IARPA’s decision to locate
at the University, and the University’s
already strong collaborations, a wealth
of expertise has increased significantly.
The National Consortium for the Study
of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism,
the Center for Food Safety and Systems
Security, the Center for Advanced
Study of Language, the Laboratory for
Physical Sciences, the Laboratory for
Telecommunications Sciences, and the
University of Maryland Institute for
Advanced Computer Studies are among the
units that most often partner with national
security agencies. President Mote is a founding
member of the National Security Higher
Education Advisory Board appointed by
the directors of the FBI and the CIA. The
University leads the nation by a substantial
margin in the number of faculty, staff, and
students working at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST).
State and Local Partners
A Presidential Task Force on Research
and Economic Competitiveness recently
convened all of the University System of
Maryland (USM) institutions to select the
most compelling research
center initiatives and the
best ideas for direct economic
development for the
State that could be led by
USM universities. Appointed
by Chancellor Kirwan and
chaired by President Mote,
with the assistance of a team
of distinguished national
advisors, the committee
identified five Maryland
Research Centers of
Excellence that wouldbring substantial value to the State and could
become internationally competitive within
five years with modest investment.
The Task Force also created a 10-year plan that commits
USM institutions to creating or attracting
325 new companies to the State of Maryland
if modest infrastructure can be provided.
In building the 130-acre M Square
Research Park, the University is working
diligently with community neighbors, local
businesses, developers, and other stakeholders.
With $900M anticipated in investment
and 6,500 people employed there at full
buildout, M Square will accelerate economic
growth enormously in the County, State,
and region.
Another key element of our 10-year
strategic plan is the development of our
38-acre East Campus town center across
Route 1 from the main campus entrance.
East Campus will revitalize the community
around the University, supporting the residents
of College Park, enhancing the student
experience, and furthering the recruitment
of competitive faculty. With more than
400,000 square feet of retail space, and entertainment,
including a live music venue, the
Birchmere, East Campus will draw people
from throughout the region to College Park.
For University employees, students, and faculty,
more than 1,300 multifamily residential
units will be built including 535 providing
more than 1,300 beds for graduate
students. East Campus will also provide
a hotel, dining, and retail services for the
Research Park and Metro area, initiating
a transformation of the region.
International Partners
The University’s international partnerships
connect Maryland to the global
economy. They prepare students for international
collaborations: 1,670 students studied
abroad in 45 countries this year alone, up
23% over the previous year. These collaborations
enable scholarship and innovation to
cross national boundaries. Two hundred
and forty-two University agreements in 57
countries build relationships between people
and institutions.
In 2008 the University expanded its
partnerships with China, Turkey, Pakistan,
the United Arab Emirates, and Ireland
among other nations. The University continued
to provide first class foreign language
training in 11 languages, including its flagship
programs in Arabic and Persian. Preparing
for international collaboration and service,
University students continued to participate
at high rates in programs such as the Peace
Corps and Engineers without Borders.
International students add to the persity
of the campus. The University has more
international students than any other higher
education institution in Maryland. In FY08
international students across the State
contributed $375M in tuition and fees to the
State’s economy in addition to bringing talent
and ingenuity to our country.1
The University partnership in research
and degree programs with the Petroleum
Institute in Abu Dhabi is continuing to
expand through new agreements signed
this year. A new executive master’s degree
program in Public Policy has been created
for middle management executives from
Jiangsu Province in China. These programs
expand both the reach and the revenues of
the University and connect the State to these
important regions.
Environmental Partners
Sustainability is another central goal of the
University’s strategic plan. We are moving assertively to reduce our energy consumption
on campus, engage in green
business practices, and fulfill our promise
to the American College & University
Presidents Climate Commitment signed
by President Mote. This year our campus
was officially designated as an arboretum
and botanical garden with 6,600 trees
and more than 50 species. Our Center for
Integrative Environmental Research conducted
a comprehensive greenhouse gas
inventory, highlighting the major sources
of carbon emissions on campus. (To view
it please visit www.sustainability.umd.edu/
UMD_GHG_ExecSumm_FY02–07_
corrected.pdf) We are purchasing hybrid
buses for our shuttle bus fleet and exploring
the use of Energy Savings Companies
(ESCOs) to renovate buildings to minimize
energy usage.
The incubator company, Zymetis,
won the 2008 Green Business Award from
the Washington Business Journal and
the Greater Washington Board of Trade.
Business students created CompoStation
for recycling organic materials that they
are marketing to other universities. The
University is also expanding its recycling
efforts with a new Feed the Turtle campaign
led by the Athletics Department. Currently
54% of all campus waste is recycled.
The growing movement to address the
impacts of climate change is creating further
opportunities for research, innovation and
entrepreneurship. The National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
began construction of its nascent National
Center for Weather and Climate Prediction
(NCWCP) in the M Square Research Park.
The Center will collaborate with several
other academic and scientific organizations,
making the University a premier center
of climate change research worldwide.
One University unit, the Earth System
Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC),
moved into a new research building, 5825
University Research Court, a neighbor of
the NOAA NCWCP.
Academic Enhancements
A $6M gift from Robert H. Smith to the
School of Business supports Ph.D. gradu-
ate education with increased stipends for
students, plus research and travel support.
The gift was matched by the University for
a total of $12M in enhancements.
Leadership
Former U.S. Congressman Tom McMillen’s
new LEADERS program to prepare highpotential
students for prestigious postundergraduate
scholarships and international awards was established this year.
McMillen’s support, along with John and
Joe Gregory’s, totals $1M, which allows the
program to provide guidance and counseling
services from the University’s National
Scholarships Office.
![](.sidebar/sidebarspacer.gif"){kind=spacer}
