With Allison Madden, MBA, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary at the University of South Florida Research Foundation serving as AURP President (2025-2026), AURP is delighted to announce its 2025 Board of Directors and Officers.

"Congratulations to the 2025 AURP Board of Directors and Officers," said Allison Madden, MBA, President, AURP (2025-2026). "My thanks for your inspiring leadership to AURP and your communities. Building upon the extraordinary leadership of my predecessors, I’m excited to collaborate with this new Board and all of our members and partners to build upon the momentum of our recent growth trajectory. As we continue our mission of building communities of innovation, AURP’s programming and education will remain focused on driving dynamic places of creativity, ingenuity, and productivity.”

“As we welcome our newly elected and continuing Board members in 2025, I am energized by the limitless potential for innovation and collaboration that lies ahead for our global community," said Vickie Palmer, CEO of AURP. "Each of these outstanding leaders brings a wealth of expertise, vision, and commitment in advancing research parks, innovation districts, and technology hubs. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to our outgoing Board members for their dedication and transformative contributions to the AURP mission."

The members of AURP's Board of Directors are elected by their peers among the AURP member network.

Read more about our 2025 Board of Directors.

A New Year, A New Venue!

Still in sunny Tempe, AZ, we're excited to announce AURP's 2025 Spring Training (February 24-27) will be held at the Omni Tempe Hotel!

Themed New Beginnings: Voices of Impact, seize the opportunity to join fellow innovators and thought leaders in exploring the power of storytelling to shape the future of research and innovation!

As usual, Spring Training promises to be a sell-out event – spots fill up quickly!

To ensure you don't miss out on this transformative experience, register as soon as possible!

Resources & Announcements

AURP Participates in Council of State

Bioscience Associations Event

Vickie Palmer, AURP CEO, and Brian Darmody, AURP Chief Strategy Officer, joined Peter Pellerito, Senior Policy Advisor, BIO, at the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) held in Phoenix, AZ this week.

The CSBA is a confederation of state-based, non-profit trade organizations each governed by its own board of directors. These groups are recognized by BIO as affiliate organizations in their respective states. 

The mission of CSBA members is to promote public understanding and advocate for public policies that support the responsible development of the bioscience industry.

At the meeting, AURP participated in a panel discussion with Claudia Whitehead, Bioscience Healthcare Program Manager with the City of Phoenix, Joan Koerber-Walker, President and CEO, Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc. (AZBio) and John Newby, President of VirginiaBio.

Learn more.

BIO Report Finds Bioscience Sector Generates

Over $3 Trillion for U.S. Economy in 2023

A new report from BIO, "The U.S. Bioscience Economy: Driving Economic Growth and Opportunity in States and Regions," highlights the transformative impact of the bioscience sector on the U.S. economy, generating over $3.2 trillion in 2023. The sector directly employs nearly 2.3 million Americans across close to 150,000 business establishments nationwide, with an additional 8 million jobs supported indirectly. 

The report emphasizes the sector's strong growth, with bioscience employment increasing by nearly 15% since 2019 – far outpacing overall private sector job growth during the same period.

This surge reflects the sector's resilience and capacity for innovation, even amid broader economic challenges. From pharmaceuticals to biotechnology, the industry plays a pivotal role in advancing scientific discovery, improving health outcomes and creating economic opportunities. Read more.

Greg Deason Named Chief Operating Officer of

Purdue Research Foundation  

AURP Past President Greg Deason has been appointed chief operating officer of the Purdue Research Foundation (PRF), effective February 1, 2025. Greg, currently PRF's Senior VP of Alliances and Placemaking, will collaborate with incoming PRF president and CEO Chad Pittman to lead the foundation's strategic operations and business processes. Purdue University President Mung Chiang praised Deason's dedication, noting his role in establishing Greater Lafayette as a leading hub for job creation and economic growth. Greg's tenure at PRF includes leadership positions such as executive director of Purdue Research Park, where he was instrumental in its expansion and the creation of over 350 startup companies through the Purdue Foundry. Read more.

NSF Announces Funding Opportunity to Train

U.S. Workforce Across Technologies 

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced an updated funding opportunity for its Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program, aiming to enhance the nation's workforce in key technology sectors. Building on previous investments, including 39 ExLENT awards across three tracks issued in August 2024 and 27 awards across two tracks in December 2023, this initiative seeks to provide practical learning experiences in areas such as advanced manufacturing, AI, biotechnology, quantum information science and semiconductors. Read more.

NSF: Higher Education R&D Expenditures

Increased 11.2%, Exceeded $108 Billion in FY 2023

In FY 2023, U.S. higher education institutions' research and development (R&D) expenditures surged by 11.2%, reaching a record $108.8 billion – the most significant increase since 2003, according to new data from NSF's National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. Federal funding was a major contributor, accounting for $5.6 billion of the $11 billion rise and comprising 55% of total university R&D spending. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services led federal contributions with $33.1 billion, followed by the Department of Defense at $9 billion, and the NSF at $6.7 billion. Institutional funds also grew by $3.2 billion, while state and local government support increased by $529 million. Read more.

Texas A&M University last month broke ground on the $200 million Texas A&M Space Institute adjacent to NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. The facility will feature the world's largest indoor simulation spaces for lunar and Martian surface operations, advanced high-bay laboratories and multifunctional project rooms. It aims to support training for missions, including simulated landings on the Moon and Mars, as well as research and development in aeronautics, robotics and other fields. The institute is expected to open in September 2026, positioning Texas A&M as a national leader in space engineering and fostering partnerships that enhance both Texas businesses and NASA's endeavors in space exploration. Read more.

North Dakota State University has started construction on the $78-million Bolley Agricultural Research Laboratory in Fargo. Spanning 170,700 square feet, this facility stands as one of the university's largest capital projects to date. It will accommodate research programs in plant pathology, plant breeding, weed science, agronomy, soil science and horticulture. Notably, the lab will feature dedicated spaces for spring wheat, durum and winter wheat research. The university partnered with JLG Architects and Clark & Enersen (AURP member) for the building’s design and with Kraus-Anderson for construction. The project is slated for completion in fall 2026. Read more.​

Arizona State University (ASU) is on the verge of surpassing $1 billion in annual research expenditures, a milestone achieved by only 33 U.S. universities, most of which have medical schools. In fiscal year 2023, ASU reported nearly $904 million in research expenditures, ranking it among the top 2% of institutions without a medical school, ahead of universities like Princeton and Caltech. This growth reflects ASU's commitment to interdisciplinary research in areas such as engineering, microelectronics, space exploration, health care, national defense and sustainability. Read more.

The University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC) last month celebrated its second anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and research showcase at its North Bethesda headquarters. The event highlighted the institute's advancements in medical care through high-performance computing and AI, including efforts to uncover biases in AI diagnostic models and predict disease spread. UM-IHC announced new partnerships with industry leaders and federal agencies, such as AstraZeneca (AURP Annual Sponsor), the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. Read more.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) and Merck hosted a five-day biotechnology camp for 12 high school students last October at the Merck Biotechnology Learning Center on the Gateway Research Park South Campus. This initiative, part of N.C. A&T and Merck's ongoing partnership, provides teaching, research and engagement opportunities to young scientists in the local community. Participants engaged in hands-on activities, learning to express, purify and analyze recombinant proteins, while also developing scientific communication skills through research poster presentations and elevator pitches. Read more.

The U.S. life sciences real estate market is showing signs of stabilization after a period of rapid growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Travis McCready, head of life sciences for the Americas markets with JLL. According to JLL's 2024 Life Sciences Real Estate Perspective, demand for lab space in key markets like Boston, the Bay Area and San Diego has increased by an average of 17% over recent quarters. However, CBRE reports that new supply has outpaced demand in several top U.S. markets, causing vacancy rates to return to pre-pandemic levels. Despite these challenges, industry leaders remain optimistic about the sector's long-term prospects, citing sustained investment in life sciences companies and ongoing innovation as key drivers for future growth. Read more.

Fayetteville, NC city leaders are exploring the creation of an innovation district aimed at enhancing the city’s economic growth and attracting young professionals. This district would serve as a hub for collaboration, bringing together universities, businesses and startups. Drawing inspiration from successful models in North Carolina, such as the Research Triangle Park and Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem, the proposed district would center on anchor institutions such as regional universities and medical centers, surrounded by mixed-use development. The city’s push for the innovation district aligns with efforts to retain talent and boost its regional economic impact. Read more.

#AURPinAction

Economic Impact Reports

Research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs are strong economic, job-creating engines and contribute to economic development in local communities, regions, states and nations.

Our AURP website features current impact studies that illustrate the dynamic impact of university research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs.

Check out the University of Washington's 2023 Economic Impact report!

We're ready to include your impact report on our website! Learn more.

AURP CAREER CENTER

Check out the AURP Career Center to discover your

next career opportunity, including:



• Associate Vice President for Research Advancement – University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• President and Chief Executive Officer – Nexus Louisiana (Baton Rouge, LA)
• Communications Manager – UC Davis / Aggie Square
• Vice Provost for Research and Innovation – Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, CA)
• Operations and Tenant Engagement Manager – Montgomery College (Rockville, MD)
• Founding Dean – Vanderbilt University (College of Connected Computing)
• Technology Manager – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Intellectual Property Manager – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Associate Vice President for Business Engagement – Georgia Southern University
• Executive Vice President for Research – Georgia Institute of Technology
• Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and Executive Director – Montgomery College Foundation (Rockville, MD)
• President of Speros – Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa, FL)
• Wadhwani Endowed Chair in Clinical and Translational Research – University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• President – Purdue Research Foundation (Indianapolis or West Lafayette, IN)