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Nebraska Applied Research Institute Created at UNO

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OMAHA – The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is now home to a new applied research institute.

The Nebraska Applied Research Institute, or NARI, builds on the groundbreaking academic research already being done by UNO faculty and students by hiring researchers to work directly with businesses and government entities to find solutions to today’s toughest customer-focused problems.

NARI is modeled after other successful applied research institutes at universities across the country and aims to advance research and drive workforce development, technology transfer and economic growth in Nebraska. NARI will open new research and education opportunities for students and faculty, positioning UNO to continue to attract top talent in fields critical to the 21st-century economy.

Through its research teams, NARI will offer high-consequence systems support, addressing problems that, if unresolved, could result in significant security risks, financial losses or even loss of life.

NARI will initially focus on three applied research areas:

  • Data Science
  • Cyber Physical Systems
  • Modeling, Simulation, and Visualization

Unlike other academic institutes at UNO, NARI will work on specific projects proposed by clients. Each project will be handled by a team of researchers based on their expertise, with opportunities for collaboration across all University of Nebraska campuses.

UNO Chief Research Officer Scott Snyder will serve as president of NARI while NARI’s executive director will be Beverly Seay, who is a former senior vice president at SAIC, a major international high tech company, where she led innovation and development of the firm’s extensive presence in modeling and simulation.

Seay is also currently chair of the Georgia Tech College of Computing Advisory Board, a member of the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees and chair of the University of Central Florida’s College of Engineering and Computer Science Advisory Board.

“This institute will position UNO to be a national leader in emerging areas related to high-consequence systems support, addressing challenges that pose significant risks to businesses and government entities.” Snyder said. “NARI provides a major opportunity for us to leverage areas of strength already at UNO, such as our nationally-ranked emergency management program, as well as existing UNO research in cyber physical systems and data science, while exploring new, customer-focused research reflecting growing industry needs. This is not just a win for UNO, it’s a win for Nebraska’s economy and workforce.”

NARI will be the primary occupant of the First Data building when UNO is ready to move in; until that time, NARI will be housed inside the Scott Technology Center.

Startup funding for NARI was included in the University of Nebraska’s two-year operating budget request, which was approved by the Board of Regents on Friday, July 22, and will be sent to the Nebraska Legislature.

For media requests, please contact:

Sam Petto, UNO Media Relations Coordinator
unonews@unomaha.edu
 402.554.2704

or

Charley Reed, UNO Associate Director of Media Relations
unonews@unomaha.edu
 402.554.2129

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

 Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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