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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

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    Community News Recognition & Awards

    Team at the University of Illinois Develops Emergency Ventilator

    A team led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering and Carle Health has produced a prototype emergency ventilator to help address the expected surge in the need for respiratory care associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois RapidVent, as the emergency ventilator is known, would plug into the oxygen source available in most hospital rooms or could plug into a tank of oxygen. The prototype has run for more than 75 hours, which is more than 125,000 breathing cycles. Over this time, the device delivered the amount of oxygen necessary and the pressure that patients would need when they are unable to breathe well enough on their own. So far, focused testing in the laboratory shows equivalent performance to commercial products—which are in very short supply. Partners in the Illinois RapidVent project include faculty and researchers from across the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, its Grainger College of Engineering, its Siebel Center for Design, its Applied Research Institute, Carle Health, Tekmill, and Creative Thermal Solutions, Inc. TEKMILL, the Applied Research Institute, and Carle all have facilities in the Research Park. Read the full article on the Grainger College of Engineering’s website here.

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    Community EnterpriseWorks News Research Park

    Research Park’s Response to COVID-19

    We are making continuous updates to our operations in light of the current information and policies with COVID-19. This is an unprecedented situation, and we are doing our best to be responsive to our clients, employees, and students who are all impacted by this global pandemic. The Champaign Urbana Public Health Department is the best local source for this information. We are following guidance that we are receiving from the University of Illinois and other public health sources. This is changing rapidly, so please be aware that new information is rolling out hour by hour.  The latest information is being posted to the university’s COVID-19 website. On March 11, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announced its decision to eliminate in-person classes for the rest of the Spring 2020 semester. Starting March 23, all classes will be delivered online. Governor Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order effective through April 30.  This means that employees, unless those in essential jobs should work remotely. Jobs deemed essential include: Health care workers, grocery store employees, pharmacists, hardware store workers, plumbers, electricians, day care providers, bank tellers and roles that are essential to a business’ operations such as payroll and security. Police, firefighters, paramedics and sanitation workers will not be quarantined. Residents can still go to the grocery stores, put gas in their cars, take walks outside and make pharmacy runs.  While this may have a major impact on the University of Illinois community, we want to make sure that everyone understands what this actually means and how it will impact Research Park operations. (Of course, this information is changing hour by hour; this is what we know TODAY.) University of Illinois is not closing; dorms remain open and while students are encouraged to return home, they are welcome to stay in place. University employees will work remotely other than those in essential jobs defined in the order, such as police, healthcare workers, power plant operators, and housing and dining personnel. EnterpriseWorks and Research Park buildings remain open.  EnterpriseWorks and Research Park staff are working remotely for the remainder of the spring semester. Research Park Response to Covid-19 Following the CDC’s recommendation to cancel or postpone events of 50 or more people, the Research Park is suspending in-person events through the end of April. We will be hosting some workshops online via Zoom; please refer to our calendar for more information. EnterpriseWorks remains open by keycard access 24/7 to all tenants and their employees for the foreseeable future; extra cleaning supplies are available for tenant use. Please be respectful of others and return them when done. Starting Monday, March 23, EnterpriseWorks will be unlocked between 9 am and 2 pm to allow for couriers and USPS deliveries. This may change as we access the situation. EnterpriseWorks and Research Park staff are working remotely for the remainder of the spring semester. We will not not be signing for packages. Please email us with urgent needs; we will do our best to address remotely. Consider your company’s policies on remote work.  Please communicate clearly your company’s remote work policy. If you are a tenant in another Research Park building, please refer to your property manager/landlord regarding any changes in procedures during this time. Consider if your work falls into order’s definition of an essential job. More information on the order can be found here. Here are some suggestions and information as it relates to student interns and other employees in the Research Park. Consider your company’s policies on remote work. Many companies have implemented remote work strategies, however it may not be apparent how that impacts students specifically. Communicate clearly your company’s remote work policy and requirements of in-person attendance. Anticipate that some students may want to pick up MORE hours if they are able, since they will not have to spend time traveling back and forth to classes. MANY students do not plan to leave campus. Most students, especially upperclassmen and graduate students, live in private housing. Some students will be unable to leave the community, as it may not be safe for them to travel home. Given best practices for “social distancing” provided by public health professionals, consider the density of your office and evaluate if you need to limit how many employees should be in the office at one time. Here is some guidance from the World Health Organization on healthy workplaces. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/getting-workplace-ready-for-covid-19.pdf Student Mindset Please keep in mind, students may be experiencing a lot of emotions in light of COVID-19. The uncertainty surrounding the rapidly evolving policies may leave students scared, stressed, and saddened. This policy may leave students isolated in their dorms, and some may find solace in coming to the office for work or school. By moving to online classes, some students have expressed feeling robbed of their collegiate experience. This is especially true for graduating students who have seen their “last” of everything cancelled. Considerations for Student Workers Some students may not have the ability to travel home and many have indicated plans to stay in the Champaign-Urbana area. Anticipate that some students may want to pick up MORE hours if they are able, since they will not have to spend time traveling back and forth to classes. It is important to keep in mind that remote work and online learning is a new environment for many students. Consider strategies to best mentor students and direct them while they adapt to the remote work environment. FIND UP-TO-DATE COVID RESPONSE INFORMATION HERE. 

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    Community Events News Research Park

    Illinois Conference Center Expansion Celebrated with Groundbreaking Ceremony

    Representatives from campus and community gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Illinois Conference Center expansion on Monday, Nov. 25. The Conference Center expansion will add 32,500 square feet to the facility, nearly doubling its size. The $13 million project will include a 12,500 square foot exhibit hall and add roughly 140 parking spaces. The expansion will provide the campus and community with a dynamic event space that can hold more than 600 attendees at one time. The building is scheduled to be completed in September of 2020. “The expansion of the Illinois Conference Center is the result of the university’s commitment to serve our students, staff, faculty, and the Champagin-Urbana community,” said Danita M. B. Young, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.  “The expanded Conference Center will serve as a gathering, learning, and networking space for a larger number of patrons than we have ever been able to engage with previously. The new modern facility will provide students with the opportunity to display and discuss what they are learning in classrooms and labs, gain access to expert speakers, and discover chances to expand their knowledge, thanks to the access the larger conference space will provide.” Located adjacent to the I-Hotel, the Conference Center has been a fixture in Champaign-Urbana since 2008. A public-private partnership, the Conference Center is owned and operated by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, while the hotel is owned and managed privately. “The first exposure many people have with the Research Park is the iHotel and Conference Center, which makes it an important part of our outreach,” Research Park executive director Laura Frerichs said. “In addition to hosting companies and organizations for collaboration, conferences, and events, it is a place that bridges the university and the community.” Currently the Illinois Conference Center hosts over 3000 events per year, and there are already 2000 on the books for 2020. The project addresses the concern that the community has been unable  to cater to large conferences of 700+, including meetings of interest to Illinois faculty as well as meetings for Illinois-based associations and business. “To this point we’ve been selling a concept,” said Jayne DeLuce, President and CEO of Visit Champaign County. “After today it’s a reality. We are ready to bring in more and more business.” The project is being constructed by Fox/Atkins Development, the development partner of the University of Illinois Research Park. This story was featured in the News Gazette. Read their coverage here.

    Illinois Conference Center Expansion Celebrated with Groundbreaking Ceremony Read Post »

    Community Features News Research Park

    Campus Conversation with Susan Martinis, Interim Vice Chancellor for Research

    Susan Martinis, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign‘s Interim Vice Chancellor for Research, spoke with Julie Wurth from The News Gazette on September 18, 2019, about efforts on campus to reduce campus sexual harassment, her experience as a woman in STEM, and the impact of ownership within the Research Park. In regards to the latter, Martinis noted that, “I think that it’s given us a few more players to think about. And I think with a few more players and getting to know our partners, it’s also given us some more opportunities…. They are interested in growing the Research Park, which again is my mission, to double the Research Park in whatever capacity that means.” Martinis provides leadership for campus-wide interdisciplinary research institutes while promoting research initiatives and overseeing appropriate research conduct at the University of Illinois. Her research focuses on leucyl-tRNA synthetase, and she currently leads a W.M. Keck Foundation-supported team to characterize mammalian variants of the synthetase. To hear the full episode, click here for the article.

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    Community News Research Park

    Cargill Innovation Lab Opens at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Research Park

    HOPKINS, Minn. (August 21, 2019) – University of Illinois students focused on solving some of the world’s greatest challenges across the global food and agriculture systems will soon have a new space to test their work thanks to a partnership with Cargill. The Research Park at the Urbana-Champaign campus will be the home of the newest Cargill Innovation Lab, the company announced today. Led by Cargill’s digital labs team of data scientists, Innovation Lab students and staff will work directly with Cargill business leaders, operations teams and customers to help move digital ideas – in weeks, not months – to test mode. “Cargill’s commitment to engaging our students in its innovation process will add a new dimension to their educational experiences at Illinois,” said Robert J. Jones, chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “I had the good fortune to visit Cargill’s headquarters and engage with their leadership in this process. I am excited that Cargill has decided to join the dynamic environment in our Research Park.” In turn, the Innovation Lab provides Cargill with a pipeline of talented software engineering and data science students and graduates ready to modernize agricultural supply chains and food systems across the globe. “We are on a constant search for new innovations and new talent, whose fresh thinking can help us bring new technologies to life,” said Keith Narr, vice president, Cargill’s digital labs team. “With an impressive engineering and computer science program, the University of Illinois is an ideal partner to spur the growth and innovation in our digital business.” The Cargill Innovation Lab formally opens its doors this fall, following a successful first phase of the partnership, including a 12-week internship program. “We know our students are motivated by making an impact in their communities,” said Jones. “There are few greater ways to do so than by helping Cargill fulfill its purpose of feeding the world.” This article was featured in Food Business News.

    Cargill Innovation Lab Opens at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Research Park Read Post »

    Community Media Mentions News Recognition & Awards

    Champaign-Urbana Ranked Top Startup City by Silicon Prairie News

    CHAMPAIGN, IL, February 13, 2019 – In a new study measuring the startup ecosystems of an 11-state region it calls “the Silicon Prairie”, Champaign-Urbana ranked Number 2 out of 42 communities analyzed for startup and entrepreneurial activity. Champaign-Urbana ranks above much larger cities including Minneapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City. “We’re thrilled to receive this community ranking which recognizes and celebrates the incredible entrepreneurship culture and resources we have in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois’ fastest-growing city,” said Carly McCrory, Executive Director of the Champaign County EDC. “Breaking this down, the “grade” we are most proud of coming out of this report is the “A” in the community spirit category,” said Research Park director Laura Frerichs. “This reflects our strongest asset as a knowledge city – an engaged community that thrives on true collaboration and strong partnerships.” College towns are a “magnet” for startup and entrepreneurship activity. In addition to Champaign, Madison, Ames, Iowa; Columbia, Missouri; and Iowa City all rank in the top 12. “Champaign, Illinois, home of the University of Illinois, dramatically overperforms expectations based on population – finishing in the Top Five. For example, in 2017 the community had 21 venture fundings for nearly $75 million dollars. There were also 37 SBIR/STTR grants in the region. These elements suggest that early stage companies and research are generating hundreds of jobs in Champaign (between 390- 620).” The study also indicates that Illinois as a state, although expected to be strong due to its size, overperforms its “expected value” when it comes to venture capital. Chicago was the overall No. 1 community measured; Springfield also made it into the top 20. “Venture Capital funding activity in the region increased by 28% from 2016 to 2018 despite the decreasing number of companies receiving funding. Chicago was a significant spur for the region – but other communities such as Lincoln, Nebraska and Champaign, Illinois provided valuable community funding growth,” the report reads. The study was performed by Chapman and Company out of Omaha. The 11 states measured include Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The methodology for the report measured eight specific components: Small business activity Cool jobs Sustaining companies Structure Innovation Venture investment Community spirit Connectivity “Chapman and Company attempted to measure those components using relatively near-term measurements,” says the report. “The challenge in measuring startup activity and entrepreneurship is that there is always a desire for more accuracy – but more accuracy usually occurs at the cost of time or comparables.” The full report is available here: http://siliconprairienews.com/2019/02/spn-special-report-the-2018-state-of-the-silicon-prairie/    

    Champaign-Urbana Ranked Top Startup City by Silicon Prairie News Read Post »

    Community News Research Park

    Research Park Updates Master Plan To Direct Future Development

    The Research Park master plan has been significantly updated to reflect forward-thinking priorities such as infill development, tenant-driven amenities, walkability, and connectivity to the community and other parts of campus. Thank you to our colleagues at Ratio for their expertise and thank you to the many University and community stakeholders who participated in this process.  Coverage of the updates from The News-Gazette is available here.

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    Community News

    Our Deepest Condolences: Tragedy Impacts Research Park Employees, Companies

    Research Park extends its deepest condolences to Common Ground Research Networks on the heartbreaking loss of longtime employee Jessica Weinhold-Brokish, who passed away last week in an auto accident. Ms. Weinhold-Brokish’s husband, Jeff Brokish, survived the crash; he also works in the Research Park, at Riverbed Technology. The accident tragically claimed the lives of their three young children, two school-age sons and a toddler daughter. Our hearts go out to the Brokish family, their friends and colleagues, and the greater community at this time of intensive grief and mourning. We will post information here regarding memorials and services as we receive them. University of Illinois counseling services are available to Research Park employees and their families through the Faculty/Staff Assistance Programs. For more information, go HERE. A GoFundMe donation page has been set up to benefit the Brokish family, please view that HERE. (This is not affiliated with Research Park, we are passing this along as a service).

    Our Deepest Condolences: Tragedy Impacts Research Park Employees, Companies Read Post »

    Community News Research Park

    Research Park Hosts Inaugural PygTech Festival

    The first Pygmalion Tech Festival is underway at Research Park. From Thursday (9/24) to Saturday (9/26), the top minds in tech from around the Champaign-Urbana community will converge to host panels, discussions, product demonstrations and more. The Pygmalion Tech Festival has already generated plenty of buzz with local media, including The Daily Illini, WAND17 and ChicagoInno. Associate Director of the Research Park, Laura Bleill, explained the significance of the festival to The Daily Illini: “‘The idea of the tech conference is to showcase what’s happening in Champaign-Urbana as it relates to tech innovation, and (Research Park) is probably the hub of that. A lot of what the panels are about, reflects the topics that (Research Park’s) clients and community are interested in,’ said Laura Bleill … ‘Student employment, tech innovation strategies and tech-talent. We want to utilize this opportunity to get our messages out there, but to also showcase what’s happening in tech in our community and some of the challenges and opportunities that exist for others to get involved.’” ChicagoInno likened the Pygmallion Tech Festival to Champaign-Urbana’s own SXSW: “Adding a tech focus to Pygmalion was a natural fit for the festival, as the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been a technology and innovation powerhouse over the years. The school has one of the best engineering programs in the world, and UIUC has produced tech visionaries like Netscape founder and notable VC Marc Andreessen, PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, and YouTube co-founders Steve Chen and Jawed Karim.”

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