The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) hosted its annual Town Hall on November 17 at the McNamara Alumni Center, bringing together more than 239 attendees from across RIO units. The event offered an opportunity to reflect on a year of remarkable achievement, shared purpose, and the collective impact of the University of Minnesota research community.
A Strong Year for Research and Commercialization
Vice President for Research and Innovation Shashank Priya highlighted the University’s continued rise in research strength and innovation capacity.
It was a record-setting year for Technology Commercialization, which continues to be nationally recognized for excellence in university tech transfer. The University of Minnesota is now 3rd in startup creation among public universities, with more than 280 startups launched since 2006—71% maintaining headquarters in Minnesota. This year marked a new milestone with 26 startups launched in a single fiscal year.
The Corporate Engagement Center reported continued growth in partnerships, ranking 3rd in the Big Ten for corporate philanthropy, with a portfolio of 63 major corporate partners including all 17 Minnesota Fortune 500 firms and $130 million in corporate gifts and grants.
Priya also highlighted strategic investments in emerging areas such as the National Security Research Institute, Data Science and AI, the Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation Center (BBIC), the International Institute for Biosensing, and GeoCommunities—initiatives designed to accelerate research that will create resources to reinvest directly back to the University’s research community.
Spotlight on Innovation Journeys
In addition to sharing institutional updates, RIO invited several faculty to share their paths through research, entrepreneurship, and commercialization.
Linda Kinkel, professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and founder of Jord BioScience, reflected on her startup journey, emphasizing that “we would not be here without Tech Comm,” and noting the invaluable support that helped translate decades of research of microbes into a commercial enterprise that directly improves the work of farmers globally.
Branden Moriarity, professor in the Department of Pediatrics, shared how early genome engineering work led to his development of B-MoGen Biotechnologies (acquired by R&D Systems) and later Luminary Therapeutics—now supporting four clinical trials and eight patients treated to date. “It’s really great to work at a place that promotes philanthropy and entrepreneurship,” he said of the University.
Two presentations highlighted the intersection of art and research. Kara Baldwin, education and community engagement coordinator, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, and Sonja Kuftinec, theatre and dance professor in the College of Liberal Arts discussed their “Odes to Ooze” project at Cedar Creek, bringing together Indigenous and western ecological perspectives through performance and environmental research. Carl Flink, director of the U of M dance program described his work with biomedical engineer David Odde merging science and dance through the “Bodystorming System,” demonstrating how creative movement can generate new research insights and community engagement.
Each presentation underscored the breadth of scholarly and artistic work supported by RIO, and the many paths through which research and creativity make an impact.
Looking Ahead
Priya closed by acknowledging the strong foundation built over the past three years and the steady leadership that will guide RIO forward. With Joanne Billings stepping in as interim vice president for research and innovation beginning on December 1, RIO remains well-positioned to continue advancing the University of Minnesota’s research mission.
In her remarks, Billings shared her deep commitment to the University’s research mission, affirming that she is fully dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for researchers, staff, and partners and to building upon RIO's strong foundation and momentum to continue advancing research excellence, collaboration, and integrity across the University.