UMBI Opens Administrative Offices in Montgomery County

October 1, 1998 -- The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute is relocating some of its primary administrative offices to the University System of Maryland Shady Grove Campus in Rockville. The Shady Grove site is already the home of UMBI's Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology -- one of five UMBI research centers -- which recently expanded its original building to accommodate significant growth.

Interim President Peter McCann who, along with the vice president of academic affairs, will move into the CARB expansion building, says the new location "is a logical and timely one, given UMBI's dual missions of research and economic development for the state of Maryland and our strong connections with the rapidly-growing biotechnology community in this region."

Maryland Delegate Nancy Kopp (D-16th District) praised the decision, noting, "UMBI has long been viewed as a key component of the I-270 technology corridor. We have been working for some time to increase its presence in the area. The location of the main UMBI offices for the president and vice president of academic affairs at Shady Grove will further strengthen connections with our burgeoning biotechnology industry -- and enhance Montgomery County's reputation as a national leader in this important field." Stark Thompson, president of Life Technologies, and chair of UMBI's Board of Visitors, also hailed the move as "recognition of the increased interaction between UMBI and businesses in this region. This is a real benefit to the biotechnology industry in the state."

In 1985, the Maryland General Assembly established UMBI to develop internationally recognized research programs in biotechnology, to educate and train a new generation of scientists in the field, and to advance biotechnology-related economic development. Today, UMBI includes five highly active research centers. In addition to CARB, these include, in Baltimore, the Institute of Human Virology, the Medical Biotechnology Center, and the Center of Marine Biotechnology, and in College Park, the Center for Agricultural Biotechnology. Other UMBI administrative offices are also housed in College Park.

UMBI has received national and international acclaim for its research and currently employs about 450 faculty and staff at the various centers. Last year, UMBI attracted $13.2 million in research grants and contracts, including support from federal agencies, foundations, and corporations. Interim President McCann assumed his post in August, when Dr. Rita Colwell, one of the Institute's founders and its first president, left to become director of the National Science Foundation.