UConn Health Center Research Centers

There are over forty active research centers at the UConn Health Center, spanning a variety of departments. Some of these research centers include:

Alcohol Research Center (ARC) – Although alcohol research remains the central focus, the ARC now has programs that encompass research on other psychoactive substances, pathological gambling, and HIV/AIDS.

Center for Biomaterials – The Center’s focus is the study of material-tissue interfacial behavior, which includes tissue response at the cell and molecular level, characterization of surfaces, nanofabrication, and development of new materials. The Center coordinates with the Institute for Materials Science at Storrs and the UConn Health Center Musculoskeletal Institute.

Center for Biomedical Imaging Technology (CBIT) – The Center comprises several groups of research faculty involved in diagnostic and cell biological imaging, optoelectronic design, and computer/imaging science. CBIT has initiated several collaborations to develop new technologies in the field of biomedical imaging. CBIT is the home of NRCAM, the National Resource for Cell Analysis and Modeling, which is developing the Virtual Cell Modeling and Simulation Framework.

Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center – The Center provides state-of-the-art cancer services and research focused on discovering innovative ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.

The Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center – The Center offers top quality care to diagnose and treat diseases of the heart and blood vessels, and research focused on developing new therapies and approaches in both the prevention and treatment of heart and blood vessel diseases.

Genetics and Developmental Biology – The Department offers a world-class opportunity for research and training in cutting-edge areas of genetics and developmental biology.

Center for Immunotherapy and Infectious Diseases (CICID) – The Center is a forum for research in basic mechanisms of immune response, and its application to treatment of cancers, and infectious and autoimmune diseases.

Center for Molecular Medicine – The Center has a major focus on genetic approaches to human disease, including use of relevant animal models.

Department of Molecular, Microbial & Structural Biology (MMSB) – Research in the Department focuses on fundamental processes of gene expression, cell division, DNA replication, recombination and repair, intracellular transport of macromolecules, molecular motors, protein folding, and membrane biology and biochemistry.

Molecular Ophthalmic Genetics Laboratory – This Laboratory is studying the genetics of glaucoma, focusing on adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma caused by mutations in optineurin.

Department of Neuroscience – The Department offers an integrated community of neuroscience investigators, with special strengths in the following areas of research: cellular and molecular, neurotransmission, development, sensory processing, systems, and neurological diseases.

Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatric Institute – The Institute fosters strong basic and clinical research programs focused on developing new understanding of psychiatric disorders and formulating new and innovative treatments.

Radiology (Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Therapeutics) – In addition to its clinical services, the Department has two research divisions, Research in Imaging for Diagnostic Medicine and the Biomolecular Structure Analysis Center.

Division of Rheumatic Diseases – This division includes basic research related to inflammatory and immune mechanisms, and clinical research in rheumatic and autoimmune diseases include social studies, epidemiologic analyses, and therapeutic trials of diverse rheumatic diseases.

Center for Vascular Biology (CVB) – The Center is interested in better understanding the molecular mechanisms of blood vessels in normal physiological conditions and in disease. State-of-the-art research is conducted in the areas of tumor angiogenesis, lipid mediators, signal transduction, vascular proteomics, post-transcriptional gene expression, vascular developmental biology and cell invasion/metastasis.

Waterborne Disease Center – The Center is dedicated to developing solutions to global and national health problems caused by waterborne diseases.

UConn, Storrs Research Centers

There are approximately seventy active research centers and institutes at the Storrs campus, spanning a variety of disciplines. Some of these research centers include:

Booth Engineering Center for Advanced Technology (BECAT) – The Center’s mission is to help revitalize the Connecticut technology-based economy through application of University resources and know-how. BECAT research facilities include: the Center for Thermal-Mechanical Processing, the Precision Design and Manufacturing Center, the Engineering Systems Simulation Center, the Optoelectronics Sciences Center, and the Energy Systems Center.

Biotechnology/Bioservices Center (BBC) – The Center is dedicated to developing a center of excellence in biotechnology research and to fostering biotechnology industry in Connecticut. The Center promotes University-wide biotechnology research programs and establishes research collaborations with industry, promotes technology transfer, and offers biotechnology industrial associates programs.

Center for Population Research (CPR) – The CPR functions as a research, training, and service facility within the University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Center for Regenerative Biology (CRB) – The ultimate objective of this new center is to investigate areas of basic science that might lead to the therapeutic production of new cell types, tissues or organs as potential replacements for diseased tissues commonly found in disorders such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and many cancers.

Institute of Materials Science (IMS) – The Institute serves as an outstanding research center in the interdisciplinary fields of materials science at UConn, to provide superior graduate research training, and to act as a source of advanced technology for the support of industry in the State. Researchers in the Institute conduct theoretical and experimental research in metallurgy, ceramics, polymers, composites, electronic and photonic materials and biomaterials. The Institute also houses the IMS Associates Program which assists Connecticut industries in their research and development efforts.

National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented – The Center plans and conducts a program of high quality research that is theory driven, problem based, consumer oriented, and relevant to school practices. The three major components of the research program emphasize research related to identifying, nurturing, and developing a broad range of talent potentials in students from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds; research that examines the larger contexts of school and community in which studies are conducted; and research that creates nationwide cooperation among researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and other persons and groups with a stake in maximizing high performance.

UConn, Avery Point Research Centers

The Avery Point Campus in Groton, Connecticut, supports a variety of research, particularly focusing on marine sciences, underwater studies, and coastal resources. Several of these research facilities work in collaboration with various organizations, such as government agencies (e.g., National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) and local maritime industries, in order to study and evaluate the marine and coastal resources of Connecticut and Long Island Sound. These research centers include:

Connecticut Sea Grant College Program – The Sea Grant Program’s mission is to foster the conservation and wise use of our nation’s marine and coastal resources through research, outreach, and education. Implemented as a partnership between UConn and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the program collaborates with maritime industries and coastal communities to identify needs, and fund research, outreach, and educational activities that have special relevance to Connecticut and Long Island Sound.

Marine Sciences and Technology Center (MSTC) – The mission of MSTC is to foster and provide infrastructure support for interdisciplinary research in the marine environment. MSTC operates the fleet of research vessels, including the recently built R/V Connecticut, the Rankin seawater facility, and the research diving program at the University.

National Undersea Research Center (NURC) – The NURC represents the North Atlantic and Great Lakes, and is one of six undersea centers established by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Undersea Research Program to provide the research community access to advanced underwater technologies. NURC’s mission is to advance understanding of the oceans and Great Lakes by providing researchers access to specialized underwater technologies, developing new ways to work underwater and promoting the underwater world.

Other valuable resources

Connecticut Venture Group
The CVG mission is to stimulate economic growth by encouraging investment in high-growth companies. Through chapters in Hartford, New Haven and Stamford, the organization produces technology-focused seminars and expositions, updates on financing and market trends, university tech transfer conferences, and the annual Crossroads Venture Fair.

Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc.
CCAT’s mission is to provide services and resources to entrepreneurs and businesses and, through collaboration with industry, government and academia, help companies innovate and compete.

University of Connecticut – School of Business
As a key unit of the flagship research university of the State of Connecticut, the mission of the School of Business is to be at the forefront in the development of managerial and business leadership competencies through exceptional research, innovative experiential learning, and strategic outreach.

University of Connecticut – School of Engineering
The School of Engineering at the University of Connecticut is dedicated to excellence in education, research, and professional service. Its mission is to be the primary source of engineering leadership and talent in the state and internationally, to ensure that Connecticut sustains its position as a leading high technology state, and to provide the intellectual and physical resources needed to grow as a center of new and evolving technological activity.

University of Connecticut – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
CLAS seeks to provide a liberal arts and sciences education that ranks among the best in the nation. By creating and disseminating knowledge in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences, CLAS helps students acquire the skills and knowledge to become independent thinkers, lifelong learners, and responsible citizens.

Connecticut Technology Council
CTC’s goal is to sustain economic growth and high a quality of life, we must create a world-class culture of innovation in Connecticut today.

Connecticut United for Research Excellence
CURE is the educational and business support network organization for bioscience in Connecticut, with over 100 members. Its mission is to build networks and critical mass for the industry within the state, to keep Connecticut competitive in bioscience, and to tell the Connecticut bioscience story.

Intellectual Property Law Clinic
The Intellectual Property law clinic is a part of UConn center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It provides entrepreneurs and inventors with intellectual property advisory services utilizing a law clinic model.

Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
CCEI stimulates student and faculty participation in entrepreneurship and innovation, provides a pipeline of talented, knowledgeable, and skilled entrepreneurs to the State’s economy, facilitates the development of transformational businesses in Connecticut, and enhances Connecticut’s business climate by assisting new as well as existing companies to solve the complex business problems associated with capturing market opportunities.