UCF Researchers Join Harvard, MIT in Prestigious NationalRanking

To: Florida Photonics Cluster members

You may have received this information through other channels, but I want to send it to you just to be sure. Although CREOL is not specifically mentioned in the press release, the center, and now college (first photonics college in the USA) was the first major research activity at UCF. And the founding director, Dr. MJ Soileau, not only led the development of CREOL into one of the leading photonics research institutions in the world, he brought the same skills and leadership to the entire university when he became Vice President for Research in 1998. Since that time, the total UCF research funding has almost quadrupled. And one of MJ's "lieutenants", Dr. Thomas O'Neal, who was in charge of the CREOL administrative services and is now Associate VP for Research and Commercialization reporting to MJ, has provided the leadership to develop the technology commercialization capabilities at UCF including the UCF Business Incubation Program and GrowFL that are mentioned in the press release below.

Jim Pearson

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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

UCF Researchers Join Harvard, MIT in Prestigious National Ranking

ORLANDO, Jan. 19, 2011 - The University of Central Florida now ranks among the nation's top research institutions, according to an independent analysis just released.

The Carnegie Foundation for Teaching and Learning designated UCF as a university with "very high research activity." UCF joins universities such as Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins and Stanford in that top tier, which does not include specific rankings for each university.

UCF researchers were awarded a record $133.3 million in external research funding in 2009-10.

In addition, UCF's success moving technology from the laboratory to the marketplace and helping emerging businesses grow elevated the university's classification since the last Carnegie Foundation analysis in 2005.

In one of the highest-profile examples of UCF's growth in commercializing technology, the strength and economic impact of the universitys patents were ranked third in the nation last year by IEEE, the world's leading association for the advancement of technology.

"Earning the Carnegie Foundation's top classification is a testament to our institutional commitment to fueling Florida's innovation economy," said UCF President John C. Hitt. "Through our many research partnerships, we are improving the quality of health care, training high-quality teachers, helping to preserve our environment and much more."

In 2009-10, UCF received $75.8 million in federal funding, a key indicator of strength for universities nationwide. That represents a 27 percent increase over the previous years total. In addition, a record 41 UCF researchers earned $1 million or more in grants.

University research also has played a major role in Central Florida's development of some of the nation's strongest concentrations of companies in optics and lasers, simulation and training, computer science, alternative energy and biomedical sciences.

UCF's Business Incubation Program has seen explosive growth since its launch in 1999. The program, which already has helped develop 100 companies, is set to open a ninth location in Central Florida. In 2009 alone, current and graduate companies involved in the initiative had an economic impact of about $200 million in the region and created about 1,650 direct and "ripple effect" jobs with an average salary of $60,000.

The incubation program helps new companies, many of which are strongly tied to UCF research, overcome the many challenges businesses often face in their first few years.

GrowFL, a companion program established by the Legislature in 2009, helps more developed companies grow and also is administered by UCF's Office of Research and Commercialization. In its first year, GrowFL helped 100 companies create 320 new jobs.

Last year, UCF became only the second public university in Florida to earn the Carnegie Foundation's classification as an institution that has made substantial commitments in the Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnership categories through its mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices.

-- UCF --

Contact: Chad Binette, News & Information, 407-823-6312, cbinette@mail.ucf.edu

UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 56,000 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.