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23 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | June 6, 2022 I n the span of a few days, UConn welcomed high-profile leaders in science, technology, and entrepreneurship for a series of events highlighting the breadth of the University's Research enterprise. On Friday, May 20, 2022 U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm visited Storrs to discuss clean energy, reduction of carbon emissions, and investment in hydrogen technology. UConn leads by example in clean energy research as the home to the Southern New England Industrial Assessment Center. Dr. Liang Zhang leads the Center, which is dedicated to helping small and medium-sized manufacturers cut back on unnecessary costs from inefficient energy use. "All of you who are working in this space, what a great moment to be here because we see this clean energy economy just exploding and making us as a nation energy secure with clean energy so that we are not relying upon the volatility of fossil fuels or petro-dictators," Granholm said. "It's an American strategy, it is a jobs strategy, and it is certainly a strategy that will heal our planet." During her visit, Secretary Granholm toured UConn's Innovation Partnership Building, accompanied by interim UConn President Radenka Maric, Congressman Joe Courtney, and Pamir Alpay, UConn's interim Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. On Monday, May 23, 2022 National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Sethuraman Panchanathan visited UConn Health and UConn Storrs. The NSF is a key funder of many of UConn's research programs. In March, the NSF announced an expanded focus on industry partnerships and the role they play in advancing technology and growing the workforce – both goals embodied through UConn Research. The Director's visit demonstrated the value of the NSF's investment in UConn and brought together state business and industry leaders. Additionally, successful startups from UConn's Technology Incubation Program presented on how their relationship with the University has helped them launch their companies and release important technologies and innovations. "When I think of UConn, it should be an acronym for 'University of Connectivity'," Panchanathan said. "Connectivity from K-12, to research, to industry. This is what we want every university to look like." To NSF Director, UConn Equals Connectivity research.uconn.edu U C O N N R E S E A R C H A strong partner in Connecticut's future. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm examines manufacturing technology developed at UConn's Innovation Partnership Building. She toured the facility with Congressman Joe Courtney, UConn interim President Radenka Maric, and interim Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Pamir Alpay. National Science Foundation Director Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan addresses an auditorium of state government, education, and business leaders during his visit to UConn Health on May 23, 2022. Depth of Research Showcased to National Leaders