Oak Ridge Associated Universities visits UTSA to nurture research collaboration

By Christi Fish
Associate Director of Media Relations

(Feb. 6, 2013) -- UTSA faculty and staff explored research funding opportunities at a discussion led Jan. 31 by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) representative Steve Roberts, Ph.D. Roberts visited UTSA on behalf of ORAU, a consortium of more than 100 research institutions across the nation. UTSA joined ORAU in 2006.

Together, ORAU's member institutions seek to advance science and education by partnering with national laboratories, government agencies and private industry. Robert's office provides awards to ORAU member universities, and identifies and promotes funding opportunities by facilitating inter-institutional relationships to support increased funding for scientific research and education.

In addition to his discussion with UTSA faculty and staff, Roberts visited with President Ricardo Romo; Provost John Frederick; Miguel Yacaman, Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Physics; and Jim Massaro, assistant vice president for research security.

Roberts also toured the Advanced Visualization Laboratory, the core facility for the UTSA Simulation, Visualization and Real-time Prediction Center, and the Advanced Microscopy Laboratory. The latter houses Helenita, one of the world's most advanced transmission electron microscopes. The microscope allows nanotechnology researchers to see samples magnified 20 million times their original size.

"ORAU provides UTSA a unique opportunity through its consortium and affiliation with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory," said Massaro. "From very expensive specialized equipment to high power computing, UTSA has state-of-the-art capabilities within easily accessible reach. In addition, the sky is the limit in faculty and student internships, access to special awards and partnerships with some of the finest universities in the country. Dr. Roberts brought all this and more to his presentation."