UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COUNCIL
DR. GEORGE E. KLINZING, CHAIR
MINUTES -- APRIL 12, 2001

The meeting was called to order at 2:40 p.m.

MINUTES

No changes were requested to the minutes of the February 22, 2001, meeting.

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCIENCE 2001 - STEPHEN PHILLIPS

Stephen Phillips distributed a tentative schedule of University of Pittsburgh Science 2001.   Modeled after the National Institutes of Health Festival of Science, Science 2001 will consist of four plenary sessions and eight spotlight sessions, as well as a trade show, job fair, and social activities.

These activities will be held over two and a half days from September 12 through 14 in the Masonic Temple, William Pitt Union, and a tent on the Cathedral of Learning lawn.  The plenary sessions will consist of lectures given by Robert Roeder, Dickson Prize Lecturer; Leland Hartwell, Mellon Prize Lecturer, and Richard Smalley, the 1996 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and discoverer of the 'Buckyball.'  The spotlight sessions and accompanying poster presentation sessions will focus on Cancer Biology, Informatics, Neuroscience, Population-Based Science, Visualization of Macromolecules, Nanoscience, Drug Discovery, and Environmental Science.

The main objective of the "festival" is to provide an opportunity to publicize what the University does as well as cultivate ties with the biotechnology and other industries, philanthropic organizations, foundations, legislators, and the community at large.  In doing so the University will develop broad-based support and expand its contacts for future funding.

Dr. Phillips requests your assistance in encouraging faculty and graduate student participation to  ensure its success so that this may become an annual event.  Future "festivals" may then spotlight areas not currently represented.

COMMERCIALIZATION OF INVENTIONS THROUGH INDEPENDENT COMPANIES POLICY

After a brief discussion and clarification of the proposed revisions to the latest draft of the policy, Ashley moved to endorse the policy as presented.  Panah seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  Klinzing will continue to route the policy through the approval process.

PATENT POLICY

A recent meeting raised several issues that must be discussed in greater detail.  Once these issues have been addressed, a draft policy will be presented to Council for its review and approval.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH - MICHAEL CROUCH

Michael Crouch was unable to attend the meeting.  Klinzing made the following announcements in his place.

  • The Office of Research sponsored a faculty development workshop on March 13.  Robert Lowman from the University of North Carolina presented back-to-back half-day sessions focusing on developing interdisciplinary funding proposals.  A total of 35 participants attended.  The next issue of Brown Bag News will be devoted solely to information that Dr. Lowman imparted and may be kept for future reference
  • An NSF Fastlane Interactive Workshop was held on April 5 in cooperation with CIDDE in the Faculty Instructional Development Lab (FIDL) in the Masonic Temple.  Twenty-two faculty and departmental staff attended.
  • The initial constituency for the new Grants & Contracts Officer, Alice Lawson, can be found at the Office of Research website (http://www.pitt.edu/~offres/overview/consti96.html).

NEW BUSINESS

No new business was discussed.
 

The meeting adjourned at 3:23 p.m.

cc: Elizabeth Baranger, N. John Cooper, Gerald Holder