Students, Faculty Will Work Side-By-Side With Industry Leader’s Researchers

10/09/2014

Contacts for media: Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu or Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

* Media Advisory *

Friday, Oct. 10
1 p.m.

What:  The Raytheon-UMass Lowell Research Institute will be officially opened by representatives of the company and the campus, including researchers, students, staff, alumni and industry partners.

The first-of-its-kind partnership for Raytheon will put top company researchers on campus to work with UMass Lowell faculty and students on the advancement of fields including advanced materials and flexible circuit technologies such as printable electronics and nanotechnology. Initial research will focus on future technologies for radar and communication systems.

Raytheon has committed $3 million with options to $5 million over the next 10 years to establish the joint research institute. Through the partnership, UMass Lowell students will gain valuable experiential education, as well as opportunities for research and employment with Raytheon. Approximately 1,000 UMass Lowell alumni work for the company.

Speakers at the opening event are scheduled to include U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas; Paul Ferraro, vice president of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems’ Advanced Technology Program; UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan; UMass Lowell Vice Provost for Research Julie Chen; and others.

The institute is located on the fourth floor of the Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, an $80 million, 84,000-square-foot facility that is one of 10 new buildings opened in five years by UMass Lowell. The center was constructed to offer the most advanced research facility of its kind north of Boston to faculty and students and to support collaboration with businesses from startups to industry leaders like Raytheon.

Where:  Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, Perry Atrium, North Campus, 40 University Ave., Lowell. Contact UMass Lowell to reserve parking.