Color-Variation-Orange-Block-I-Blue-Background-1

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Research Park

    Research Park

    News Research Park

    W. Brooke Elliott, Shannon O’Hare and Ryan Coon Appointed to Research Park Board of Managers

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Sept. 18, 2025)  – W. Brooke Elliott, Dean of Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Shannon O’Hare, executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield and Ryan Coon, an entrepreneur and venture capital investor, have joined the University of Illinois Research Park Board of Managers. Their appointments were approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees at its September 2025 meeting.  The Board of Managers, a public-private board, is the governing body of University of Illinois Research Park LLC, which assists the university in developing and operating research parks in support of its economic development mission.  Former BOM member Pat Daly’s term expired in 2025, creating a vacancy for a business representative. Upon that transition, the decision was made to expand the board (as per the existing by-laws). That meant adding one additional faculty member as well as one business representative, for a total of three in each category. Chancellor Charles L. Isbell Jr. nominated Dean Elliott as a faculty appointment with O’Hare and Coon filling the business representative roles. Elliott, the Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean of Gies College of Business, has been at the U. of I. since 2003, starting as a professor of accountancy. She now leads the College in developing a compelling, strategic vision while continuing to build upon its distinctive brand and identity. This includes assessing and expanding Gies Business’ portfolio of on-campus and online programs to strengthen its position as an innovative leader among the nation’s best business schools. Elliott is an expert in her field and has been cited in widely recognized press outlets including Fortune and The Wall Street Journal. Shannon O’Hare has more than 20 years of experience in economic development and financial incentive negotiation. O’Hare serves as the executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield leading the Business Incentives Practice, representing clients across a wide range of industries including automotive, healthcare and retail. She also negotiates incentives for real estate development projects nationwide, and prides herself on her long-standing client relationships. Some of her previous positions were held at Deloitte & Touche LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP. O’Hare earned a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the Gies College of Business.  Ryan Coon is co-founder of Avail, a platform used to improve rental experiences for do-it-yourself landlords and renters. Avail was acquired by Realtor.com in December 2020, where Coon became CEO of Avail and Category Manager – Rentals at Realtor.com. Before co-founding Avail, Coon worked at BMO Capital Markets performing mergers and acquisitions as an investment banking associate. Coon graduated with honors from the Gies College of Business in 2007. He is active in the Chicago tech community and serves on the Board of Directors of La Casa Norte, an organization fighting youth and family homelessness in Chicago.  

    W. Brooke Elliott, Shannon O’Hare and Ryan Coon Appointed to Research Park Board of Managers Read Post »

    Community News Research Park

    Synchrony and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Celebrate Major Expansion as Emerging Technology Center Surpasses 400 Internships, Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators 

    WCIA – Financial services company expanding operations at U of I (Sept. 18, 2025)   University Leaders Join Ceremony to Unveil Expanded Center to Train Students in Tech Skills of the Future CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (September 18, 2025) – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.) and Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a premier consumer financial services company, this week celebrated a major milestone: more than 400 U. of I. students have gained hands-on technology experience through Synchrony’s internship program. At a ribbon cutting ceremony for the expanded Synchrony Emerging Technology Center in Research Park, university leaders, Synchrony executives, and students marked the opening of the nearly 11,000 square foot reimagined space dedicated to advancing innovation and preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow. First opened in 2018, Synchrony’s Emerging Technology Center (ETC) serves as a hub for collaboration between Synchrony and U. of I., advancing the company’s finance and technology capabilities while equipping students with real-world skills in engineering, data science, analytics, human-centered design, and other emerging fields.   The expansion doubles the center’s seat count and introduces new collaboration areas, including flexible huddle rooms, event spaces for town halls and networking, and a remodeled café. A commissioned mural from a local artist will pay tribute to both the state of Illinois and the university to uplift design in the heart of the space.   Through the ETC, interns partner year-round with Synchrony employees from more than 60 teams on projects that fuel business growth and enhance the customer experience. The center is a key talent pipeline, with dozens of interns accepting full time roles in areas such as technology, credit, analytics and more at Synchrony since the program began.   “The expansion of our Emerging Technology Center reflects the incredible talent of U. of I. students as well as the enduring strength of our partnership with the university,” said Tim Christensen, CIO, Synchrony. “Together, we’ve built a model that both enhances Synchrony’s innovation goals and provides students with opportunities to advance and grow technology skills. We are proud of the impact of this partnership and excited to grow this collaboration for years to come.”  “Synchrony has been a tremendous launchpad for students pursuing technological and analytical careers in consumer finance,” said Dr. Susan Martinis, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at U. of I., “The company demonstrates how to bridge academic research with industry applications, which is a win-win for our campus that puts so much emphasis on the value of experiential learning. We are so grateful for Synchrony’s unwavering investment in our students and engagement in many campus programs.” Beyond internships, Synchrony and UIUC co-host events including hackathons, Datathons targeting students interested in the field of Data Science, and in-class lectures around topics like Generative AI, engineering, and credit modeling, strengthening a culture of innovation that benefits students, the university, and the company. This milestone builds on Synchrony’s broader education initiatives worldwide, which aim to build pathways to financial credit access and financial mobility for Americans. For more information about Synchrony’s impact in Illinois and beyond, visit:  https://synchronyimpact.com.    About Synchrony   Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company at the heart of American commerce and opportunity. From health to home, auto to retail, our Synchrony products have been serving the needs of people and businesses for nearly 100 years. We provide responsible access to credit and banking products to support healthier financial lives for tens of millions of people, enabling them to access the things that matter to them. Additionally, through our innovative products and experiences, we support the growth and operations of some of the country’s most respected brands, as well as more than 400,000 small and midsize businesses and health and wellness providers that Americans rely on. Synchrony is proud to be ranked as the country’s #2 Best Company to Work For® by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.  About the Research Park at the University of Illinois  The Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a technology hub for startup companies and corporate research and development operations. Within the Research Park there are 120 companies employing students and full-time technology professionals. More information at researchpark.illinois.edu. Follow the company on LinkedIn at UIResearchPark.  Media Contact Tyler Allen Synchrony Tyler.Allen@syf.com  Laura Weisskopf Bleill University of Illinois Research Park lwbleill@illinois.edu

    Synchrony and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Celebrate Major Expansion as Emerging Technology Center Surpasses 400 Internships, Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators  Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Events News Research Park

    Pixo Relocates Headquarters to UIUC’s Research Park, Embraces Hybrid Future

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Sept. 4, 2025) – Custom software and web development firm Pixo has officially moved its headquarters to the first floor of the Atkins Building, Suite 106, within the University of Illinois Research Park technology hub. This strategic move positions Pixo in a vibrant innovation ecosystem, while reinforcing its commitment to a flexible, hybrid work model. Melinda Miller, CEO and co-owner of Pixo, expressed enthusiasm for the new location. “Our new office home is right in the midst of so much exciting technological innovation,” Miller said. “We look forward to connecting with the vibrant community here, tapping into that energy, and building new relationships with our neighbors at Research Park.” Founded in 1998 as “On the Job Consulting,” the woman-owned tech consultancy previously operated from second-story offices on Urbana’s West Main Street. Like many businesses, Pixo adapted to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the success and versatility of a hybrid approach for its diverse team of developers, designers, and strategists, the company decided to adopt this model permanently. While Pixo continues to have a strong presence in Central Illinois, its team members are now distributed throughout the United States, serving clients coast-to-coast. “Despite being a mostly remote agency, maintaining a physical presence in Champaign-Urbana is incredibly important to us,” Miller emphasized. “We have deep roots here and a rich history tied to the University of Illinois, the agricultural economy, and the broader community.”  “As a ‘people-first’ company, we also wanted to preserve the ability to gather in person—both with clients and with each other,” Miller added. “We’re excited to leverage Research Park’s excellent amenities, including beautiful and well-equipped spaces for client meetings, social gatherings, and team celebrations.” “Research Park and Pixo have a long history of partnership across domains–from working together on website projects, to working together on agtech cluster building,” said Laura Weisskopf Bleill, Director of External Engagement and Communications at Research Park. “We are thrilled to see the team locate a footprint in our on-campus tech hub, where small businesses, startups, and corporate innovation thrives together as one ecosystem.” About Pixo: Pixo is a custom software and web development firm specializing in creating innovative digital solutions. Founded in 1998, the woman-owned consultancy serves clients across the United States, providing expertise in areas including digital accessibility, artificial intelligence, content strategy, and web/software development. Pixo is committed to a people-first approach, fostering a collaborative environment for its distributed team and strong relationships with its clients and community. For more information, visit pixotech.com. Contact: info@pixotech.com  217-344-0444 pixotech.com Pixo’s office: Atkins Building, Research Park 1800 S. Oak St. Suite 106 Champaign, IL 61820

    Pixo Relocates Headquarters to UIUC’s Research Park, Embraces Hybrid Future Read Post »

    News Research Park

    College of ACES Dean German Bollero Appointed to Research Park Board of Managers

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (July 24, 2025)  – German Bollero, Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, has joined the University of Illinois Research Park Board of Managers. Bollero’s appointment was approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees at its July 2025 meeting.  The Board of Managers, a public-private board, is the governing body of University of Illinois Research Park LLC, which assists the university in developing and operating research parks in support of its economic development mission.  Bollero succeeds Kim Kidwell, Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, who served on the board for six years. He joins Grainger College of Engineering Dean Rashid Bashir, who was appointed in 2024. Bollero, a nearly 30-year member of the ACES community, brings extensive experience and leadership to his role, having previously served as head of the Department of Crop Sciences and associate dean for research. A native of Rosario, Argentina, Bollero earned his bachelor’s in agronomy there before completing his master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, where he has since held numerous research and teaching positions. Internationally recognized for his scholarship in biometry and cropping systems, Bollero has received multiple honors for his teaching, research and service, including being named a Fellow of both the Crop Science Society of America and the Agronomy Society of America.

    College of ACES Dean German Bollero Appointed to Research Park Board of Managers Read Post »

    EnterpriseWorks Events News Research Park

    Research Park Hosts 2025 AgTech Innovation Showcase

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (July 16, 2025) — The 2025 AgTech Innovation Showcase brought together innovators, farmers and industry stakeholders to get a firsthand look at emerging AgTech solutions tailored to farming challenges. The event was hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park in collaboration with BioSTL, a St. Louis nonprofit that invests in bioscience startups, and the Illinois Farm Bureau, a nonprofit that advocates for farmers and Illinois agriculture. “We are excited to welcome everyone to Champaign to showcase AgTech innovation,” said Laura Bleill, director of external engagement of the University of Illinois Research Park. “Gathering real feedback from potential customers is important for all startups, and especially significant in the AgTech sector. This collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, BioSTL and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a win for our region.” The showcase featured rapid-fire presentations from nine startup companies offering cutting-edge, on-farm solutions including cost-saving equipment technologies, soil and biological innovations, AI-powered decision tools and streamlined farm management platforms. Attendees rotated through sessions to connect directly with each innovator and provide real-time feedback on emerging ag tech solutions designed for farmers in the region. “On our farm, innovations and technologies such as these are things we continually evaluate to see how we can produce more with less, increase our sustainability footprint and really just be the best stewards of our land that we possibly can be as new solutions and innovations make their way forward,” said Evan Hultine, vice president of the ILFB. Innovators in attendance included: View photos from the event here. Illinois Farmer Today — Ag companies show off latest tech (July 31, 2025) FarmWeek — Farmer feedback meets startup ingenuity at AgTech Showcase (July 21, 2025) WCIA — From the Farm: Ag geneticist creates new product to increase crop yields (July 17, 2025) Morning AgClips — Ag Innovators to Bring Emerging Technologies to Farmers During Startup Showcase (July 1, 2025) About BioSTL: Founded in 2001, BioSTL has been a cornerstone of St. Louis’ innovation landscape, fostering a dynamic economy through convening stakeholders, engaging in public policy, and delivering targeted programs. Our mission is to cement the city’s position as a hub for addressing global challenges in agriculture, food, biopharma, and healthcare. About Illinois Farm Bureau Founded in 1916, Illinois Farm Bureau – originally known as the Illinois Agricultural Association – is a nonprofit, grassroots membership organization. Illinois Farm Bureau and a statewide network of county Farm Bureaus give members an advantage through impactful advocacy, trusted information, and meaningful development to support their careers and Illinois farm families. About University of Illinois Research Park The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Research Park is an innovation hub for technology commercialization with a unique environment that cultivates startups and increases capabilities for established companies. Located on campus, Research Park has more than 120 companies and growing, employing over 2,100 people in high-technology careers.

    Research Park Hosts 2025 AgTech Innovation Showcase Read Post »

    News Partnerships & Acquisitions Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Genective Poised for Commercial Success After Pipeline Delivered Breakthrough Insect Control Results

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. and CHAPPES, France, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Genective, a 100% subsidiary of Limagrain, a French Agri-food conglomerate and world’s fourth largest seeds company, is poised for commercial success after its R&D pipeline for transgenic insect control delivered industry leading breakthrough results. “It’s a very exciting time at Genective,” said Qiaoni Linda Jing, President & CEO. “Through extraordinary team collaboration in the last 5 years, we have made breakthroughs at different stages of our R&D pipeline.  To name a few, we created a whole new class of insect control protein that no one else in the industry has.  Our other lead genes delivered excellent results against Fall Armyworm (FAW) populations that have developed resistance to all currently commercialized solutions.” FAW is a devastating pest originating from the Americas but quickly spread to the rest of the world in the last 10 years causing an estimated 5 billion dollars annually in economic losses.   Jing continued, “I am extremely proud of what my team has achieved and look forward to bringing our novel solutions to the farm fields around the globe through successful commercial partnership with industry partners.” “As an innovation driven company, Limagrain has unwaveringly supported Genective since its inception,” said Fermin Azanza, Global Head of Research for Limagrain Field Seeds and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Genective. “We are very excited the novelty-driven strategy of Genective is bearing fruit.  We will continue standing behind Genective’s innovation and foresee commercialization through partnerships with global players in the agriculture market.” Since relocating its global headquarters from Paris, France to Central Illinois in 2020 amid Covid 19, Genective has emerged as a key contributor to the industry’s agtech innovation landscape. “Genective has been an exemplary member of our innovation community,” said University of Illinois Research Park Executive Director and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Laura Appenzeller. “The fast-growing company not only brought in great talent and high paying jobs but also created a winning culture that is fundamental to its success. The University of Illinois Research Park is committed to supporting Genective’s continued achievements in every possible way as an agtech leader.” With scientific momentum, global and local backing, and a strong foundation for commercialization, Genective is fulfilling its vision of being a globally impactful contributor to agriculture through biotechnology for corn, soy, and cotton. About GenectiveGenective is a 100% subsidiary of Groupe Limagrain, a French Agri-food conglomerate and world’s 4th largest seeds company. Genective is dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of transgenic traits for corn, soy, and cotton. About LimagrainLimagrain is a global company with deep local roots. The parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne-Val d’Allier plain, in the heart of Central France’s Auvergne region, while Limagrain is an international seed and agri-food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries. The company breeds, produces, and sells high value-added field and vegetable seeds, drawing on a long history of expertise in plant improvement. Uniquely, Limagrain also has agri-food chain businesses, in France and internationally, to transform the produce of the Cooperative’s 1,300 farmer members. The world faces escalating climatic, environmental and demographic challenges, and the company’s various businesses help address its food and farming issues. As the 4th largest seed company in the world, Limagrain achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in 2023-2024, with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with strategic partners. www.limagrain.com About University of Illinois Research Park The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Research Park is an innovation hub for technology commercialization with a unique environment that cultivates startups and increases capabilities for established companies. Located on campus, Research Park has more than 120 companies and growing, employing over 2,100 people in high-technology careers.  Media ContactsGenective: Erin Yarling, erin.yarling@genective.comGroupe Limagrain: Michelle Cornu, michelle.cornu@limagrain.comUniversity of Illinois Research Park: Laura Bleill, lwbleill@illinois.edu SOURCE Genective

    Genective Poised for Commercial Success After Pipeline Delivered Breakthrough Insect Control Results Read Post »

    Events News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Synchrony Emerges as 2025 Research Park Table Tennis Tournament Champion

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The 14th Annual Research Park Table Tennis Tournament took place on Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday, June 18, 2025.  A Research Park favorite, the Table Tennis Tournament brought together 64 participants from companies across Research Park. Players took part in two intense days of round robin matches and bracket play in three categories: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Champions were crowned in each bracket, points were awarded to top-placing players, and the top-scoring company won the coveted Golden Paddle. The Synchrony Emerging Technology Center emerged as the Golden Paddle champion for the second year in a row, marking a shift from Yahoo!‘s 10-year domination of the tournament. Yahoo! came in second and the AGCO Acceleration Center came in third. In the beginner division, Weston Walker (AGCO Acceleration Center) claimed first place, followed by Kush Patel (Synchrony) in second. Yuxuan Chen (PrairieLearn) and Devin Patel (Synchrony) tied for third place. The intermediate category was led by Jakub Slomczynski (Yahoo!), who took home first place. Charlie Liu (Synchrony) earned second, while Abhjit Kannepalli (Synchrony) and Minjae Jang (COUNTRY Financial DigitaLab) shared third place. The advanced bracket saw Asim Chitre (Synchrony) securing the top spot. Venkatarama Sooriyakumar Ramakrishnan (Yahoo!) finished second, and Neelan Coleman (Yahoo!) and Yong-Bin Kim (Champaign Caterpillar Innovation Center) rounded out the podium in a tie for third. “The atmosphere is really phenomenal,” Tommy Miller, a Research and Development Intern at Mondelēz International, said. “Everybody’s clapping, cheering for the people playing, teammates or not. The game’s really fast-paced and I’ve lost the games I’ve played, but I’m having fun.” The tournament also handed out 10 company and individual superlative awards. Mondelēz International won Team Spirit and Yahoo! and COUNTRY Financial won In It for the Long Run. Kush Patel won Biggest Comeback, Yong-Bin Kim and Yuxuan Chen won Best Sportsmanship, Yuxuan Chen and David Lomiashvili (Identomat) won Early Bird, Roy Taylor won Fan Favorite and Dustin Mayfield-Jones (EnterpriseWorks) won Most Entertaining to Watch. “This is a really good event to know other companies in Research Park because I work for Caterpillar, but other than Fire at Five, there are not many interactions that I can have with other companies like Yahoo or Synchrony,” Kim, a Senior Data Specialist at Caterpillar, said. “When I was playing in this event, I had a lot of good conversations with other players. We had so much fun and I had some great moments, I was laughing, smiling.” More photos from the event can be viewed in the Research Park media gallery and on the Research Park Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook pages. Learn more about the event on the Research Park Table Tennis Tournament page. To participate in similar events, visit the Research Park calendar.

    Synchrony Emerges as 2025 Research Park Table Tennis Tournament Champion Read Post »

    News Partnerships & Acquisitions Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Capital One and University of Illinois launch ASKS Center

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Capital One and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recently announced the launch of the Center for Generative AI Safety, Knowledge Systems and Cybersecurity. A pioneering collaboration between Capital One and the Grainger College of Engineering Siebel School of Computing and Data Science, its mission is to advance the safety, security and trustworthiness of Generative Artificial Intelligence Models across multiple domains, according to a news release from Capital One. The ASKS Center builds on a long legacy of partnership between Capital One and the University of Illinois. Capital One Illinois Digital Campus Lab, the company’s first university-based lab site, opened in 2015 at the University of Illinois Research Park. The Lab focuses on research and experimentation in data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other topics relevant to the work of the ASKS Center. It has a mix of full-time employees and student interns who work year-round, serving as a talent pipeline for the company.  As a part of this partnership, Capital One has pledged $3 million over five years to support projects from faculty and PhD students researching GAIMs. This support will be determined by input from faculty and a Center Advisory Board composed of representatives from Capital One and the University of Illinois. “We are delighted to strengthen our customer-centered scientific research initiatives by bringing together top talent from our two organizations,” said Prem Natarajan, PhD, EVP, Chief Scientist and Head of Enterprise AI at Capital One. “With the launch of ASKS, we are doubling down on our mission to find solutions to the most challenging problems in AI while providing a platform for the next generation of AI leaders in the U.S. to gain exposure to solving some of the most pressing industry problems through novel advances in science and technology.” Learn more about the Capital One Illinois Digital Campus Lab on the Research Park website.

    Capital One and University of Illinois launch ASKS Center Read Post »

    Features News Research Park

    New Podcast Episode: Cara Bognar

    In this Innovations @ Research Park episode, host Tanmay Shah interviews Cara Bognar about her transition from student-athlete at Illinois to founder and CEO of Top Tier Lessons. Inspired by her experiences balancing sports and academics, Cara became interested in startups that create meaningful, flexible opportunities for student-athletes like herself. Top Tier Lessons is a company that connects college student athletes with parents in the community looking for sports lessons. “I was a bio-engineer, I didn’t know I was going to come to college and start a company. I had relatively little experience outside of sports [and] classes—everything you expect a nineteen-twenty-year-old to be doing day to day,” Bognar said during the interview. The Innovations @ Research Park podcast highlights Champaign’s thriving entrepreneurial and corporate innovation culture. It is hosted by Tanmay Shah, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus. Subscribe to The Innovations @ Research Park to catch up on the latest innovations and news on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast network. Is there something you want to know about Research Park? Do you have an idea for a guest for the show or a story we should pursue? Do you want to provide other feedback? Contact Laura Bleill (lwbleill@illinois.edu).

    New Podcast Episode: Cara Bognar Read Post »

    Community Events News Research Park

    Mondelez International opens Innovation Center at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (April 9, 2025) – Mondelēz International, one of the world’s largest snack companies, has opened an innovation center at the University of Illinois Research Park, its first on a college campus.    Mondelēz FutureLab aims to leverage forward-thinking perspectives from students across multiple disciplines. By leveraging the abilities and unfiltered imagination of students, Mondelēz seeks to identify disruptive concepts, experiment with emerging technologies, and challenge conventional product development processes.   FutureLab provides interns with campus resources, flexible innovation processes, and support to help materialize their innovative ideas, and to test their magical hypotheses.  “By embracing unconventional collaborations, Mondelēz reinforces its position as leading the future of snacking, driving superior innovation that meets the evolving needs of consumers in a rapidly changing world ,” said Marylena Meza, SVP R&D Strategy & Excellence of Mondelēz. “This initiative not only strengthens Mondelēz’s commitment to fostering innovation, it also provides students with invaluable hands-on experience, mentorship, and the chance to see their ideas come to life.”    FutureLab opened with a small team of research and development professional leaders from within the company. When fully occupied, FutureLab will host a team of University of Illinois student interns working year-round.  “Mondelēz is eager to tap into student insights to develop products and experiences that resonate with emerging consumer preferences, and where better to do that than our land grant institution – a state focused on ag and food innovation,” said Dr. Susan Martinis, Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “With Mondelēz’s Chicago roots, there’s all the more reason to be optimistic about the future of the state’s booming bioeconomy.”   Students will have the opportunity to work on new and evolving research projects that will bring together traditional sciences and other disciplines such as music and arts, leveraging digital approaches. Interns will gain industry experience while making real contributions to internal corporate R&D programs, skills that will benefit students as they move forward in their careers.   The site is led by Michelle Firrell, who has over 17 years of progressive experience in leading scientific and technical teams, shaping research programs, and driving operations for global organizations.  About Mondelēz International Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2024 net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate’s Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on LinkedIn at Mondelēz International: Overview | LinkedIn  About the Research Park at the University of Illinois  The Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a technology hub for startup companies and corporate research and development operations. Within the Research Park there are 120 companies employing students and full-time technology professionals. More information at researchpark.illinois.edu. Follow the company on LinkedIn at UIResearchPark. 

    Mondelez International opens Innovation Center at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Read Post »