Letter from the Dean
We live in a time of great challenges, but as this issue of RISE shows, such challenges can lead to great innovations. These innovations do not solely stay in the laboratory. Many of our students, faculty, and staff turn their research and ideas into successful startups. From biotech software to contact lenses that can diagnose disease, these ideas often take years from idea to execution, but the results can be transformational. We have highlighted just a few startups in this issue, but the University continues to launch new programs aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship. I can only imagine what startups RISE will be highlighting five years from now.
In this issue, we also highlight research in two other important areas: the power grid and bioinformatics. Our faculty are working to better integrate renewable energy into the power grid while ensuring it is safer and more reliable. Our Center for Bioinformatics and Quantitative Biology, which launched three years ago, is working to merge biology, computing, and machine learning in pursuit of understanding, treating, and even curing disease. Both rely on our strengths in modeling, computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning and are working toward solutions that could have lasting impact.
We also continue to pave the way for innovations here on campus. Last summer, we broke ground on our new 135,000-square-foot Computer Design Research and Learning Center at 900 W. Taylor St. The building – set to open in fall 2023 – will provide much needed space for our rapidly growing computer science department, including collaborative learning spaces that will be used by all UIC Engineering departments.
Spring is a time for hope, and seeing all this great work being done on campus makes me excited for the future of UIC Engineering. I hope you get a chance to visit campus and see these improvements and innovations. We look forward to welcoming you.
Pete Nelson, PhD
Dean