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FEATURE STORY
A Conversation with BTI Director Ted Davis
When Regents Professor and former Institute of Technology (IT) dean Ted Davis assumed
leadership of the BioTechnology Institute (BTI) on January 7th, he was no stranger. A faculty
member in the university's department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (CEMS) since
1963, he had worked with College of Biological Sciences dean Robert Elde to write the white paper that convinced
President Bruininks to launch the initiative in biocatalysis at BTI. As dean of the Institute of
Technology, he had a direct interest in the operation of the BTI because a
budget for the director was supported partially out of funds from the IT dean's office. Now, as
newly installed director, Davis has a vision and some specific objectives for BTI.
"The 21st century is going to be the 'biological revolution' with advances and breakthroughs
in systems biology, genomics and proteomics," said Davis, "and the carriership is going
to be technology."
Davis sees the BTI playing a big role in bioenergy development. Given funding from the
president's Initiative on Biocatalysis, the interdisciplinary focus of the institute is well suited
for pursuing block funding for collaborative group research in bioenergy development, as well
as other practical applications of biocatalysis. Several groups have already benefited from
funding under the university's Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE),
and more funding is becoming available in the rush to develop alternative sources of energy.
"I would expect a dynamic situation as we go after block grants driven by priorities," explained
Davis, who also wants to mount an aggressive campaign for endowments.
Additionally, Davis wants to promote BTI research capabilities and state-of-the-art facilities
as valuable resources and an incentive to industry collaborations. One approach he's exploring
is an arrangement with IPRIME, the university's Industrial Partnership for Research in Interfacial
and Materials Engineering. IPRIME focuses on creating opportunities for industry professionals
to collaborate with students and researchers at the university through a membership service.
IPRIME members would have access to BTI facilities and specialists through specific program
offerings in the "one-stop" service.
"But if there is no room in IPRIME," said Davis, "it doesn't mean we won't launch our own initiatives."
Davis says he recognizes the commercial demand for what the BTI has to offer industry and is
serious about promoting BTI research and technology transfer. Past BTI director Ken Valentas
drew on his background as an industrial engineer to foster industry relationships and lobby for
corporate support of the institute. It was the genesis of funding for important equipment acquisitions
as well as an internship track in the institute's master's program in Microbial Engineering. Davis
sees eye to eye with Valentas on the need to continue agressively courting industry support of
the institute.
"I would like to convince several large companies to give renewable, non-proprietary grants in areas
where we want to develop and stimulate research," he continued.
Perhaps not suprisingly, Davis says he plans to expand the facilities available for research to include
lab space on the East Bank of the Minneapolis campus. He outlined a plan to remodel part of Amundson
Hall to create a "BTI West" campus in the near future which would give the institute greater visability
across the university and provide more access for collaborative research.
Davis is optimistic about the BTI and its outstanding team of research professors and feels they will
bring the university and Minnesota to the forefront of the biological revolution.
"If I were starting my career now," he concluded, "I would go into bioengineering."
-Tim Montgomery
Click here to view photos from a reception for Ted Davis.
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