The Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship in Biotechnology is no more — in name only, that is.
Under its new moniker, the Johnson Center for Innovation and Translational Research (JCITR), the center has expanded its mission of assisting efforts to commercialize marketable innovations in biotechnology — or other fields within the College of Arts and Sciences — and now offers such services to all schools, department and disciplines throughout the Bloomington campus.
“Our new name truly captures the core focus of our mission to enhance innovation across the Bloomington campus and will provide an identity for our unique position within IU’s research community. We hope faculty will come to recognize JCITR as the place where they can get hands-on assistance with building a translational research program and commercializing their discoveries.”
— JCITR Director Keith R. Davis
Based at Simon Hall, JCITR has been on the move since Davis became its first director in December 2014. Earlier this year, it hosted its first Innovation Conference, awarded its first series of translational research pilot grants, strengthened its ties with the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp. and unveiled an undated website that reflects its expanded mission.
Vice Provost for Research Rick Van Kooten said the move reinforces IU’s commitment through its Bicentennial Strategic Plan to build a prosperous and innovative Indiana — in part by establishing a culture of “building and making” statewide.
“Innovation and translational research are key drivers of research excellence. The skills and services offered through JCITR are invaluable to IU researchers, particularly as we move forward with our Grand Challenges program and a new Emerging Areas of Research program.”
— Rick Van Kooten, IU’s vice provost for research
Learn more about JCITR’s updated mission and its history here.