The University of Iowa (UI) is a core partner in a research initiative selected for the National Science Foundation's Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) awards.
The initiative, RuralSTAMINA (Ascending Rural Communities through Sustainable, Transformative Advanced Manufacturing INnovations and Alliances), is led by Iowa State University in collaboration with the UI and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It aims to leverage the agricultural strengths of Iowa and Nebraska to develop high-value biomanufactured products while supporting rural communities.
The NSF Engines award will support the initiative with $15 million in funding over two years. Continued progress toward RuralSTAMINA’s research goals, could lead to up to $160 million in funding during the next 10 years.
UI Expertise Strengthens RuralSTAMINA
UI Senior Associate Vice President for Research, and College of Pharmacy Bighley Chair and Professor Aliasger Salem plays a key role in achieving these goals as lead of Use-Inspired Research and Development. In this position, Salem coordinates the UI’s participation and ensures its research strengths are fully integrated into the broader initiative. This includes capabilities in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, biologics, vaccines, drug delivery, advanced manufacturing and bioprocessing, and more.
Salem also will connect UI investigators with expertsat Iowa State, the University of Nebraska, and the engine’s more than 70 public and private partners.
Collaboration is Key
RuralSTAMINA aims to leverage the traits that make Iowa and Nebraska uniquely positioned to lead in biomanufacturing innovation – world-class agriculture production systems, manufacturing infrastructure, and biomass resources – to support startups and existing manufacturers.
Together they will produce specialty products such as coatings, pesticides, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, biologics, and animal vaccines.
The initiative extends beyond product development. By connecting university researchers, industry partners, scale-up facilities, entrepreneurs, investors, community organizations, and rural communities, the project will build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
Learning programs will form paths to high-paying manufacturing jobs that rural businesses and startups can leverage. This network of collaboration will strengthen the economic vitality of rural areas throughout both states.
“We are proud to be part of this alliance to grow rural Iowa,” said Barb Wilson, UI president. “Through this collaborative effort, we’ll help strengthen communities across our state.”