Association of University Research Parks Honors VCU President Trani

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations

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The Association of University Parks, AURP, has named Virginia Commonwealth University President Eugene P. Trani recipient of the 2006 Community Leadership Award. Trani has served as the chairman of the board of directors of the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park since its inception in 1991.

AURP represents the leaders of more than 130 of the nation's university-affiliated research facilities. The Community Leadership Award is presented annually to a business, university or government leader who has made an outstanding contribution to the success and total community impact of a university research and technology park.

In presenting the award, AURP said that Trani has been the driving force to take the Virginia Biotechnology Park from concept to reality.  The park opened in December 1995 and is centered on a 34-acre campus in downtown Richmond, with satellite facilities in neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield counties. 

Under Trani's leadership, VCU provided $15 million financial support for the first 100,000 square-foot multi-tenant building.  The park has continued to expand and upon completion of the Philip Morris Research and Technology Center, it will exceed 1.2 million square-feet in nine buildings and employ more than 2,000 scientists, engineers and technicians. Capital investment to-date is $500 million.

Since opening, more than 60 companies have completed the park's incubator program. The park is home to more than 50 national and international companies as well as research institutes affiliated with the VCU Medical Center; numerous medical, forensic and public health laboratories and the United Network for Organ Sharing, UNOS. 

AURP promotes the development and operations of research parks that foster innovation, commercialization and economic competitiveness in the global economy by supporting collaboration among universities, industry and government.  Visit http://www.aurp.net for more information.