1. Advancing Industry, Conserving Our Environment Paige Novak, Michael Sadowsky Co-Directors

2. Vision and Goals Use microbiological processes to clean/remediate water, soil, and sediment Focus on water Team with industry to (1) decrease the environmental footprint of some industries and (2) catalyze creation of new industries via development of green technologies Existing strength at UMN, this should make us the best and most visible University in the world in the area of bioremediation

3. Accomplishments and near-term plans Four faculty searches underway (Soil, Water, and Climate, Civil Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics) Five faculty grants for postdoctoral researchers awarded (1 in CBS, 1 in BTI, 1 at UMD, 2 in CFANS) Six graduate research fellowships awarded (2 in CBS, 3 in CSE, 1 in BTI) Two demonstration projects being launched A meet and greet planned for Wednesday February 5 Developing connections with the mining industry New request for applications for graduate fellowships planned (10 × 2-year) Program being developed for undergraduate researchers

4. Long-term plans 12 new faculty hires across UMN (total) Additional recurring faculty grants for postdoctoral researchers Additional recurring graduate fellowships Recurring undergraduate fellowships Research funds for projects aligned with vision and goals Faculty-industry sabbaticals Additional industry events and recruitment of industry liaison Development of cross-departmental graduate training program and pursuit of NIH training grant or NSF IGERT