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UTD at The IQ

June 18, 2021

Richardson Innovation Quarter

In February of 2022, five University of Texas at Dallas research centers will be launched in the official headquarters of the Richardson Innovation Quarter (Richardson IQ [Innovation Quarter] , or The IQ [Innovation Quarter] ), at the historic “IQ at 1302” building, within the University’s new Centers for Emergent Novel Technology at the Innovation Quarter (CENT-IQ [Centers for Emergent Novel Technology at the Innovation Quarter] ). Jenny Mizutowicz, manager of economic development initiatives, was part of the committee that reviewed which research teams would be granted part of the $125,000 in seed grants from the Office of Research and installed at CENT-IQ [Centers for Emergent Novel Technology at the Innovation Quarter] . The selected groups represent a broad cross-section of cutting-edge scientific inquiry:

  • Center for Applied AI [Artificial Intelligence] & Machine Learning (CAAIML [Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning] )
  • Center for Imaging and Surgical Innovation (CISI [Center for Imaging and Surgical Innovation] )
  • Multi-scale Integrated Interactive Intelligent Sensing (MINTS [Multi-scale Integrated Interactive Intelligent Sensing] ) Center
  • Center for Smart and Connected Mobility (CSCM [Center for Smart and Connected Mobility] )
  • Center for Applied AI [Artificial Intelligence] at the Richardson Innovation Quarter with UT Dallas Expertise (CAIQUE [Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the Richardson Innovation Quarter with UT Dallas Expertise] )

It’s a prime opportunity for UT Dallas to partner and interact with industry.

The Richardson IQ [Innovation Quarter] is located in an area of mostly flex and industrial buildings to the east of North Central Expressway and the Arapaho Center DART [Dallas Area Rapid Transit] light rail station. As Mizutowicz explained, “Going back to the 60’s and 70’s that area primarily served as the suppliers for Texas Instruments, Collins Radio and a lot of the big telecommunications companies that were the pioneers of Richardson’s tech industry. The 1302 building itself has significance in Richardson because it was home to STARTech, an incubator for early-stage technology companies.” After STARTech closed, the facility remained vacant for over ten years, and many of the other flex/industrial buildings from that era had high vacancy rates as well. In late 2019, the Richardson City Council rezoned the neighborhood for higher-density mixed-use development that could serve as the foundation for local innovation and economic development.

The activity at CENT-IQ [Centers for Emergent Novel Technology at the Innovation Quarter] is expected to bring the power of UT Dallas research to the local businesses that are currently in and relocating to the IQ [Innovation Quarter] . “The Center for Applied AI [Artificial Intelligence] & Machine Learning, for example, is ideally going to be doing research for companies that are located in the Innovation Quarter,” Mizutowicz said. “The needs of local businesses are going to drive that specific lab’s direction. They are going to be the lab’s customers.”

“It’s a prime opportunity for UT Dallas to partner and interact with industry.”

The F&ED Economic Development team contributes to The University of Texas at Dallas’ goal of serving as an economic engine for the region. They do so by fostering partnerships with local governments and businesses, providing research and analysis of the region’s economy and labor market, and promoting local communities to out-of-state companies that are considering relocating to DFW.

 

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