Obama's Buffalo Visit Underscores Success of Recovery Act Investment in UB

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By John DellaContrada
May 12, 2010

As a result of the wide-ranging Recovery Act investment, UB has created or retained 84 jobs at the university through March 31, and university officials anticipate creating dozens more. The work of these researchers and technicians is laying the foundation for UB's long-term impact on Western New York's economy. In the short term, the funded research at UB is generating new jobs and supporting local businesses through contracts with local vendors and the purchase of supporting research equipment and supplies locally and elsewhere.

Although President Obama's visit to the region Thursday is intended to highlight the successes of a small manufacturing plant in Buffalo, his arrival also presents an opportunity to underscore the success of his administration's major investment in scientific research at the University at Buffalo.

Since the February 2009 introduction of the Obama administration's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, UB has received 86 federal research awards totaling nearly $31 million. This funding is supporting many innovative UB research projects, ranging from investigation of the underlying causes of heart disease to developing nanotechnology therapies for treatment of drug-resistant flu viruses.

Among the total investment, UB faculty members also have received $8.5 million in new instrumentation grants to purchase or develop instruments that enhance their work. These specialized awards allow UB researchers to upgrade the university's existing research enterprise and open new doors for scientific exploration.

As a result of the wide-ranging Recovery Act investment, UB has created or retained 84 jobs at the university through March 31, and university officials anticipate creating dozens more. The work of these researchers and technicians is laying the foundation for UB's long-term impact on Western New York's economy. In the short term, the funded research at UB is generating new jobs and supporting local businesses through contracts with local vendors and the purchase of supporting research equipment and supplies locally and elsewhere.

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