University of Wyoming Research Counts

University of Wyoming (UW) research programs contributed about $65 million to the state's economy and ranked as the fifth-largest single entity in the state service sector.

Bill Gern, UW vice president for research and economic development, said UW's research programs, funded by outside contracts and grants, make up 2.3 percent of Wyoming's service sector economy. Others in the top five of the service sector are the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, United Medical Center in Cheyenne and the Laramie and Natrona county school districts.

The UW research enterprise employs some 1,200 people, including graduate and undergraduate students. (Note: student jobs are generally part-time jobs). In addition, satellite programs, such as the Research Products Center that serves as the university's technology transfer office and the Wyoming Small Business Innovative Research Initiative, have contributed to improving the state's business climate toward small, technology-related business.

In most states, 75 percent of research and development is done by private industry, with universities and other research foundations comprising the remaining 25 percent," Gern said. "In Wyoming, the university accounts for 73 percent of research and development. This is why UW must take a leadership role in developing a technology-business sector. We can help lead Wyoming across the technology divide."

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