The University of Utah (U of U) and Sandia National Laboratories have signed a strategic partnership that will help develop collaborations in various technical areas and give U of U researchers and students opportunities to develop new skills and research paths by working on projects in Sandia facilities.
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sandia is a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration and supports several federal, state, and local government agencies, companies, and organizations. And through partnerships with academic, governmental, and commercial institutions, Sandia conducts R&D that supports national security.
Sandia operates laboratories, testing facilities, and offices in multiple sites around the US. According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) document signed by both parties, the partnership will enable Sandia and U of U researchers and students to be present on each other’s campuses. Students and faculty can work for designated periods on projects in Sandia facilities. Graduate students will have opportunities to develop new skills and research paths via joint research collaborations.
Sandia said partnerships with universities and other labs bring new technologies to the marketplace and contribute to the nation’s economic well-being.
With this strategic partnership, the U of U and Sandia will seek to develop collaborations in various technical areas that could lead to funding program development. Some areas include biological science, computing, information science, mathematics, Earth, energy, and environmental science.
Sandia and the U of U will look to expand their collaboration and participation in U-led activities that have a high degree of mutual interest within these areas, including the Aerospace Research Hub and Energy Futures Research Engine, the Center for Engineering Innovation, the Utah Nanofabrication Laboratory, and the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy.
On November 7, the U of U hosted a small ceremony in which representatives of the deal signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the partnership. Douglas Brian Kothe, Advanced Science & Technology Associate Labs Director and Chief Research Officer, attended on behalf of Sandia. Joel Lash, Center Director, Material, Physical and Chemical Sciences, and Mary Monson, Senior Manager, Technology Partnerships and Business Development, joined him.
The university was represented by Dr. Erin Rothwell, Vice President for Research; Dr. Mitzi Montoya, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Peter E. Trapa, Dean of the College of Science; and Dr. Charles Musgrave, Dean of the College of Engineering.
The U of U delegation welcomed Sandia’s representatives and presented them with an overview of research at the U. Then, the group met with researchers throughout campus. Afterward, the MOU was signed in the Crocker Science Center, with Dr. Rothwell signing the document on behalf of the U. and Kothe signing for Sandia. Utah-based Sandia employees also attended the ceremony.
KEY QUOTES:
“Both Sandia and Utah recognize the need to define and sustain the future of science and engineering for national security. The purpose of this MOU is to provide an enhanced model for a strategic partnership between our organizations that will create strengths together that neither institution has alone, target areas that have potential to make substantive national impact and provide the basis for implementing increased interactions and collaborations between individual staff, faculty, and students at Sandia and Utah.”
— Partnership documents
“Research has always been and will continue to be the foundation of our university. Our strategic partnership with Sandia is another example of the U’s dedication to bringing one-of-a-kind research opportunities and experiences to our students and faculty that are unique to the University of Utah.”
“This partnership will not only help U researchers work and learn in world-class research facilities, but also help be a part of accomplishing Sandia’s mission in bringing essential science and technology to resolve our nation’s most challenging security issues.”
– Dr. Rothwell
