UMSL takes research, technology transfer, economic development seriously. That’s the message Nassar Arshadi, vice provost for research at UMSL, conveyed at a recent meeting of the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association. (Photo by Eric D. Schneider)

The University of Missouri–St. Louis takes its research, technology transfer and economic development mission seriously. That’s the message Nassar Arshadi, vice provost for research at UMSL, conveyed at a recent meeting of the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association’s Energy and Environment Council.

“You cannot run a credible research enterprise without having credible graduate education,” Arshadi said.

He noted that UMSL has a host of funded research programs. The programs include all areas of the sciences, as well as criminal justice, health and education.

During his speech he highlighted some of the research taking place at the university, including that of Eric Majzoub, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at UMSL, who is studying hydrogen storage.

“The storage facility tanks are very heavy, and it’s hard to transport them. The key challenge here is, can you reduce the size,” Arshadi said.

Research being done by Theresa Thiel, professor of biology, is looking at converting algae into energy and biofuel in a cost­­-efficient manner.

Another biology project is in the Lipid Systems area. “There is extensive work being done in this area,” Arshadi said. He thinks the research has credible commercialization potential. Xuemin Wang, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor in Plant Science, leads this effort.

UMSL is highly invested in the transfer of biotech, information technology discoveries and economic development activities. The university helped establish a 55,000-square-foot business incubator in north St. Louis County called Innovative Technologies Enterprises. It houses biotech companies, energy-related startups and IT companies.

“We are agnostic about who we put into that place,” Arshadi said. “We have some of our own companies, but we are also supportive of other companies.”

UMSL also helped found CORTEX about eight years ago, which is in the midtown area of St. Louis. There is a deal in the works that will see the operation expand.

“This is really exciting,” Arshadi said.

And The Center for Emerging Technologies, which was founded 13-years ago, is a 92,000-square-foot incubator on Forest Park Ave.

There is also a 100-acre business park adjacent to campus, where Express Scripts, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers, is one of the tenants.

“The presence of Express Scripts on our campus is quite interesting. They are heavily engaged with our research departments,” he said. “We have multiple research projects with them.”