About the Center for Life Sciences and Advanced Technologies (COELSAT)

Commercializing Intellectual Property for Job Creation

Six corporate life-science and advanced technology partners have signed on to occupy the COELSAT, joining forces with UND to bring intellectural property from the university to meet "real world" needs, according to James Petell, Ph.D., director of technology transfer and commercialization at UND, including both well-established and start-up companies.

COELSAT, developed under the Center of Excellence program, a new economic development initiative sponsored by the North Dakota Legislature, allows UND to

"change the dynamics of current jobs in North Dakota," Petell said.

The new facility provides an environment where high-paying jobs and new student internship opportunities can be developed as UND faculty continue, or begin, merging their research with the interests of private companies.

Over the next five years, activities at the center are expected to generate 150 new jobs with an average annual salary of $65,000, said Peter Alfonso, Ph.D., vice president for research at UND.  He expects up to three buildings to be built in the park within that time frame.

-Pamela D. Knudson

return to top