by John Kirkland
March 5th 2019
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Mark McLellan (left) with ORAU President Andy PagePortland State University has been accepted to join a consortium of more than 100 top research institutions working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy’s largest science and energy lab.
PSU’s acceptance was announced Tuesday by the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) council, which is located next to the national laboratory famous for conducting research for the Manhattan Project and many other trailblazing research discoveries. PSU now joins Oregon State University as the only two research institutions in Oregon invited to become ORAU members.
ORAU provides innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance national priorities in science, education, security and health.
“As part of the consortium, PSU faculty will have access to unique vehicles for funding research, professional growth, development opportunities and interesting collaborations,” PSU Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies Mark McLellan said. “It will give us access to ORAU’s numerous annual programs that offer grants, knowledge-strengthening competitions, and interactions with scientific leaders – all of which will enhance the professional growth and development of PSU’s faculty and students.”
An aerial view of Oak Ridge National LaboratoryORAU partners with private industry on major government contracts, many of which could provide opportunities for PSU to conduct real-world research for government agencies, McLellan added. ORAU’s Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program will also provide opportunities for early-career faculty at PSU.
“The awards program is considered an investment in the future of science education in America,” McLellan said.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, located outside Knoxville, Tenn., was founded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project. It grew into a sprawling five-campus complex occupying 58 square miles. It is home to several of the world’s top supercomputers, including Summit, the most powerful supercomputer in the world.