Fall 2001
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The Riverfront Research Park (RRP) is a cooperative effort of the University of Oregon and private developers to build a university-related research park on a state-owned site adjacent to the university campus in Eugene. The 67-acre project, located along the south bank of the Willamette River, provides a master-planned setting for approximately one million square feet of development. Here knowledge-based businesses can start and grow in proximity to and in collaborative association with the sizeable research capabilities of the UO.
"We've been providing a space for this special kind of interaction since 1993 when the research park opened the doors of its first building," says RRP Director Diane Wiley. " Since then the park has proven to be a real benefit to the university, the business community, and the people of Oregon."
Tenants in the park have been involved in many rapidly advancing, technology-driven areas, including optics, neuroscience, biotechnology, internet-based multimedia, software, web design, and artificial intelligence.
"The park is an important contributor to the diversification of our local economy," says Wiley. "These forward-looking businesses play an increasingly vital role as the character of Oregon's economy continues to evolve."
To date, there are three buildings totaling 111,000 square feet of space. In addition to established tenant companies, fourteen tenants have started their operations in the park, more than 350 students have been employed in part-time positions, and approximately 110 UO graduates have been hired into full-time positions. In 2000, the average employee's salary and benefits exceeded $50,000.
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The businesses profiled below, all launched at the park, give a sense of the variety of research and technology activities occurring there.
Electrical Geodesics, Inc. (EGI) is a direct spin-off from research in the UO's Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Psychology. EGI licenses technology from the UO. It designs, produces, and sells neuro-imaging equipment and related software, and employs undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, serving as a training ground in the field of cognitive neuroscience.
On-Time Systems, Inc. (OTS) is a start-up company established to transfer artificial intelligence technology developed at the UO's Computational Intelligence Research Laboratory (CIRL) and elsewhere to practical applications for optimizing routing, scheduling, and industrial tasks for both government and industry. For example, OTS designed an aircraft routing system that takes into account an aircraft's weight, its destination, and weather conditions to chart the most fuel-efficient route between North America and Europe. Based on this program, the Air Force hopes to save one to three percent in fuel costs per year, which is approximately 15 million gallons of jet fuel. Three CIRL faculty members started OTS, which is currently entering a period of rapid growth.
Marker Gene Technologies, Inc. (MGT) was founded by an adjunct faculty member in the UO's Department of Chemistry and Institute of Molecular Biology. The company explores, develops, and manufactures new ways to use marker genes in molecular biology and in the medical field. The company collaborates with the Oregon Health & Science University and Portland's Earle A. Chiles Research Institute on gene therapies and treatment protocols for people with inoperable cancers. MGT is currently collaborating with a number of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and anticipates a very positive future growth.
Language Learning Solutions, Inc. (LLS) is a new company that is spinning out of the UO's Center for Applied Japanese Language Studies (CAJLS). LLS will focus on the development, sale, and support of tools that help teachers assess the acquisition of new languages by students.