MRI 2009 News Releases

(Kansas City, MO) December 14, 2009—Midwest Research Institute is a key contributor on two teams awarded separate contracts to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in advancing the clean and efficient use of fossil fuels and alternative energy. In the first award, MRI is a team member to prime contractor Booz Allen Hamilton’s five-year, $98 million contract to provide DOE with strategic energy planning and analysis support as it relates to fossil fuels and alternative energy. In the second award, MRI is part of a team led by prime contractor URS Corporation in a 5-year, $322 million contract to provide research and engineering services to NETL.

NETL is the national laboratory for DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and supports the DOE mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States.

“MRI has a rich history in energy research, having managed DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory for 32 years,” said Michael F. Helmstetter, Ph.D., MRI President and CEO. “Fossil fuels will continue to be an important component in our nation’s energy portfolio and MRI is committed to the success of these NETL programs by providing our energy expertise and support to these two distinguished teams.”

In the energy planning and analysis contract, MRI responsibilities will include leading the cost-benefit analysis, a role that includes opportunities for work in life-cycle assessment, strategic energy sector analysis, and other areas supporting energy infrastructure, including environmental assessment. Booz Allen Hamilton, the prime contractor for this award, has been at the forefront of strategy and technology consulting for 95 years.

For the research and energy services contract, MRI’s role includes leading the research infrastructure support and integration to further develop new fossil fuel and clean coal energy initiatives to support energy independence. MRI will leverage its strengths to successfully develop, manage and transfer clean energy technologies to industry. URS Corporation, the prime contractor for this award, is a leading provider of engineering, construction, and technical services for public agencies and private sector companies around the world.

Between the two contracts, MRI will be responsible for approximately 10 full-time staff located at the NETL sites in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Morgantown, West Virginia. As additional expertise is required, MRI will also provide reachback support from the Institute’s Research Operations. MRI’s combined portion of the two contracts is valued at approx. $14 million.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 2,400 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

MRI Receives LEED Certification for Renovations to Kansas City Headquarters

(Kansas City, MO) December 7, 2009—Midwest Research Institute (MRI) has earned LEED^®Certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) following a $25 million renovation of its Kansas City headquarters facility, making it one of the first renovated laboratory facilities to receive LEED certification in Missouri. MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent scientific research organizations conducting contract research for government, industry and academia since 1944. LEED is the nations’ preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

The goal of MRI’s two-year renovation project, completed in January 2009, was two-fold: solve the Institute’s space constraints driven by substantial growth over the past 10 years and provide a facility that contributes to a more sustainable environment. Today, operating within the same building footprint, MRI’s Kansas City facility has nearly 50 percent more laboratory space, office space for an additional 150 staff and “green” design elements providing energy savings that have resulted in a reduction of nearly 600 metric tons of carbon dioxide when comparing adjusted energy usage data from the years 2008 to 2009.

Achieving LEED Certified certification was one of the design requirements given to PGAV Architects when designing the 80,000 sq. ft. renovation within the existing 250,000 sq. ft. headquarters facility. J.E. Dunn Construction Group, Inc. was responsible for the renovation construction.

LEED certification of the renovated 50-year- old MRI facility represents a significant accomplishment. It’s inherently more sustainable to renovate a building than to raze it and rebuild; however, it’s more difficult to earn LEED certification points due to existing conditions that must be accommodated. The challenge for sustainability was even greater since the MRI facility includes laboratories that require up to five times the energy of a typical office building.

“Through the design plan, MRI’s aging office space and underutilized areas were transformed into an energizing and efficient combination of modular laboratory and open collaborative office space,” said Mike Schaadt, PGAV Vice President. “The renovated area was reconfigured to draw in more natural light, increase systems efficiency, allow transparency into the laboratory space and allow staff to collaborate.”

“Building operations are nearly 40 percent of the solution to the global climate change challenge,” said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC President, CEO & Founding Chair. “While climate change is a global problem, innovative companies like MRI are addressing it through local solutions.”

“Results of the renovation have been extremely successful,” said Mark Breitenstein, MRI’s Director of Facilities Management. “We have a state-of-art facility that provides an enhanced work environment for staff, it accommodates growth, and the LEED certification validates MRI’s mission to support a sustainable future. MRI’s renovation demonstrates that green choices do have a positive impact on older facilities.”

Renovation features that contributed to the LEED certification include energy efficient windows, high-efficiency chillers, high-efficiency boilers, low-flow laboratory hoods, water saving devices, provisions for waste recycling, insulation, day lighting, high-efficiency lighting, green products in building materials, and low VOC emitting materials. The renovated areas save nearly 19 percent in energy costs compared to the baseline and the high efficiency plumbing fixtures reduce the volume of water used in the facility by nearly 29 percent. MRI also offers provisions that encourage staff to use public transportation, energy-efficient vehicles, and carpooling.

In addition, nearly 555,000 pounds of waste (representing 77 percent of the total waste) was recycled, over 17 percent of the new material cost used in the project came from recycled material, and more than 37 percent of the new material cost used in the project came from sources within 500 miles of MRI.

About U.S. Green Building Council and LEED
The Washington DC-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for the United States through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC’s LEED certification and rating system is the preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and in 91 countries.

By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 2,400 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, agriculture and food safety, and infrastructure. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. MRI has managed NREL since its inception in 1977. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

MRI Promotes Linda Evans to Vice President of Corporate Human Resources

(Kansas City, MO) November 20, 2009—Midwest Research Institute (MRI) announced, today, the promotion of Linda Evans to Vice President of Corporate Human Resources, effective immediately. Evans was Director of Human Resources, a position she held since 2006.

Evan’s promotion is the fourth in a series of leadership appointments made by Michael F. Helmstetter, Ph.D., MRI President and CEO, as he names his leadership team. Helmstetter was promoted to President and CEO effective October 1, 2009, following the retirement of James L. Spigarelli, Ph.D.

“As an integral part of MRI’s management team for many years, Linda’s knowledge and expertise have proven crucial in establishing strategic policies and programs that align MRI’s Human Resources function with the organization’s growth and vision for national impact,” said Helmstetter. “Under her direction, MRI’s initiatives in talent acquisition, staff development and benefits programs have contributed to MRI’s success by making the institute a great place to work.”

Evans was instrumental in the successful launch of the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, serving in a leadership role for transition planning and staffing as the Alliance assumed the management and operating responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 2008. MRI has managed NREL since its inception in 1977 and is a co-owner of the Alliance.

Evans joined MRI in 1993, following a 15-year career as a human resources executive in the banking industry.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 2,400 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. MRI has managed NREL since its inception in 1977. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

Contact: Pam Sharitz-Tesch, 816-360-1968

MRI and Saskatchewan Sign MOU for Collaborative Research in Energy and
Life Sciences

(Kansas City, MO and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) November 13, 2009—A Saskatchewan delegation mission to Kansas City, Missouri to promote the province’s resource and life sciences sectors by strengthening partnerships between the two jurisdictions has proven successful.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the province and Midwest Research Institute (MRI), an independent, not-for-profit, scientific research organization, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. MRI performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for industry, government and academia in the areas of energy and environment, life sciences, and national security and defense.

The MOU provides both parties with a means to pursue collaborative, cooperative and coordinated approaches to life sciences research, energy related research, and development and demonstration projects of mutual interest between Saskatchewan and MRI.

“Saskatchewan’s innovation sector is fast becoming one of the jewels of our provincial economy at both the national and international level,” Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. “This MOU with a leading U.S. institution again highlights the significant assets we have in Saskatchewan and our ability to attract interest from all over the world.” Following the signing, Minister Cheveldayoff and representatives from VIDO, Genome Prairie and the Canadian Light Source met with a number of Missouri and Kansas based life science companies to explore the opportunities for future business relations.

“We see a number of areas where collaboration and coordination of research between MRI and Saskatchewan in the life sciences and energy sectors could result in the advancement of new technologies and innovations that will be of great benefit to society and economic gain for our respective North American regions,” said Thomas M. Sack, Ph. D., MRI Senior Vice President and Director of Technical Operations.

The MOU signing was one of several key items on the itinerary for the three-day mission, which concluded Tuesday. The delegation also met with officials from the Kansas City Smartport to view best practises in attracting businesses and to discuss the development and marketing of Regina’s Global Transportation Hub. A meeting was held with the Kauffman Foundation opening the doors for collaboration around the development and delivery of training programs for Saskatchewan entrepreneurs and angel investors. Minister Chevledayoff also led discussions with Compass Minerals, the head office of Saskatchewan SIFTO salt, to explore opportunities for expansion of the company’s Saskatchewan activities.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 2,400 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, agriculture and food safety, and infrastructure. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. MRI has managed NREL since its inception in 1977. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

For more information contact:

Joanne Johnson
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503

Pam Sharitz-Tesch
MRI
Phone: 816-360-1968

Solar Technology Acceleration Center is Powering Up

(Aurora, CO) October 22, 2009—Members of the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC) and supporters convened in Aurora, Colo., today, to mark a milestone in “Powering Up” one of the world’s largest solar test and demonstration facilities. Since announcing the initial launch of SolarTAC one year ago, the site infrastructure development has progressed to the point where members can now break ground for their planned solar technology implementation and testing.

SolarTAC originated when six public and private sector entities -- Abengoa Solar, the City of Aurora, the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, Midwest Research Institute (MRI), SunEdison, and Xcel Energy -- joined forces to build a site where member companies can bring their early commercial or near-commercial stage solar technologies for testing and demonstration under actual field conditions.

Today’s occasion also included the announcement that the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) have both signed letters of intent to join SolarTAC.

Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer kicked-off the afternoon’s activities, by noting the economic impact of SolarTAC and the emerging solar industry. “SolarTAC takes renewable energy from a nice idea to a real-world impact. It’s a company’s secret weapon for creating commercially successful business,” said Tauer. The City provided the land for SolarTAC and is developing an adjacent area of 1,900 acres as the Aurora Renewable Energy Campus.

“We welcome SolarTAC into Colorado’s New Energy Economy ecosystem,” said Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. “The testing and research conducted at this facility will tie-in well with the state’s solar industry, further enhancing Colorado’s position as a gateway for high performing solar products that lower energy costs while drawing more companies and clean energy jobs.”

“SolarTAC will be an important part of finding real world solutions to developing solar power,” said Dick Kelly, chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy. “We believe that through SolarTAC, we will develop technologies that are more efficient, reliable and cost effective and will allow us to use more of this abundant, clean energy resource to meet our customers’ future energy needs.”

By the end of this year, nearly $1.8 million of infrastructure work will be completed by MRI, SolarTAC’s management and operating contractor, to prepare the site for member companies to move-in equipment and construct member-specific facilities. The work includes grading, drainage and soil erosion control, access roads, electric power supply and distribution, fire protection, sewer and water lines, communications lines, fencing and security.

“We have made steady progress in developing the SolarTAC site and in identifying potential new member companies that will further accelerate the commercialization of solar technologies,” said Roger Harris, Ph.D., MRI associate vice president and director of Energy and Life Sciences.”

NREL membership in SolarTAC will allow the national laboratory to better engage with industry to solve challenges in increasing the amount of solar electricity produced in the U.S. Among other projects, NREL will install a $2 million pilot-scale advanced thermal energy storage test and evaluation facility at SolarTAC to help improve heat storage technologies that can offset variability.

“The collaborative aspects of SolarTAC make it a natural fit for EPRI, where one of EPRI’s roles is to build industry collaboratives to support R&D,” said Bryan Hannegan, Vice President of Environment and Renewable Generation at EPRI. “Commercial renewable energy technologies, such as advanced solar PV and concentrating solar power with storage, are expected to make significant contributions to the world’s energy supply in coming decades, and the work at SolarTAC will help make that possible.”

At this stage in the site development, Abengoa Solar and SunEdison are ready to begin installation of equipment and facilities for testing and evaluation of advanced solar technologies.

SunEdison’s initial deployments at SolarTAC will include a proprietary, low cost, recycled, ballasted ground mount system designed for installation on a variety of ground conditions. The array will include examples of all major photovoltaic (PV) module technologies, including: standard and high efficiency crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium diselenide (CIS) and both low and high concentration PV systems. The initial array will also be used for expanded testing of distributed direct current power management and advanced inverter technologies that offer the potential to significantly increase energy yield. The arrays will be monitored using the SunEdison Energy and Environmental Data System (SEEDS). SolarTAC will serve as an important beta test site for SEEDS as new capabilities are added.

“SunEdison is pleased to join with our partners in reaching this important milestone in the development of SolarTAC,” said SunEdison chief technology officer, Mark Culpepper. “One of the most significant long-term opportunities presented by SolarTAC will be the ability to study the way PV systems connect to and interact with the grid.”

In the future, SunEdison plans to gradually increase the number and variety of module technologies deployed on the site and will leverage SolarTAC to validate new mounting systems, installation methods, and electrical configurations to minimize cost and maximize energy harvest. SolarTAC will provide an invaluable test-bed to study forecasting, variability, energy storage, and reactive power control along with other methods and technologies to ensure safe and reliable interconnection of high penetration levels of PV on the grid.

The Abengoa Solar Facility at SolarTAC will be used for testing, validating, and demonstrating advanced and emerging concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies, including outdoor studies and readiness deployment of prototype systems. “We look forward to the progress we will be able to achieve in advancing our technologies at the SolarTAC site,” said Hank Price, vice president of Technology Development. “The site will be a long-term experimental test-bed for Abengoa Solar’s R&D technology and it will provide an environment to collaborate with universities, national laboratories, and other solar researchers.”

Abengoa Solar currently plans to install an operational scale CSP collector loop and associated assembly building at the site to test and validate new designs of its technologies. At today’s event, Abengoa Solar displayed several modules of the Astro, one of its established concentrating solar collector designs.

During the event, the nearly 150 attendees were updated on the site development plans, and had an opportunity to see solar technology demonstrations led by Abengoa Solar and SunEdison representatives.

Media contact information:

Abengoa Solar : Allison Lenthall, 202.558.7739, Allison@renewcomm.com
City of Aurora: Kim Stuart, 720.427.5335, Kstuart@auroragov.org
EPRI: Jeff Brehm, 704.595.2521, jbrehm@epri.com
MRI: Pam Sharitz-Tesch, 816-360-1968, psharitz-tesch@mriresearch.org
NREL: George Douglas, 303.275.4096, George.douglas@nrel.gov
SunEdison: Rob Wyse, 212.920.1470, rob@m1pr.com
Xcel Energy: Tom Henley, 303.294.2300, Tom.henley@xcelenergy.com

MRI Names Tom Fleener Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Kansas City, MO) October 9, 2009—Midwest Research Institute (MRI) announced the appointment of Tom Fleener to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective October 12, 2009. Fleener is currently with the Calvin Group in Kansas City, Mo.

Fleener’s announcement is the third in a series of leadership appointments made by Michael F. Helmstetter,Ph.D., MRI President and CEO, as he names his leadership team. Helmstetter was promoted to President and CEO effective October 1, 2009, following the retirement of James L. Spigarelli.

As Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Fleener will participate in MRI’s overall strategic business and financial planning, provide comprehensive financial and logistical support, and direct the Finance and Accounting, Materials Management, and Facilities Management Departments.

Fleener will serve as an officer of MRI and staff the Audit and Finance/Investment Committees of MRI’s Board of Directors.

“Tom’s extensive experience and background in business administration, finance, and business development will be critical as we continue to grow MRI and pursue our vision to be a recognized leader in finding innovative, technology-based solutions that result in national impact and organization growth,” Helmstetter said.

Fleener’s career experience includes stints at Aquila, Inc., where he was Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategic Initiatives and Verizon (and its predecessor GTE) where he held positions of increasing responsibility in accounting, finance, business development, and corporate development. He also held key positions with Arthur Andersen and Procter and Gamble. Fleener earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Trinity University and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. MRI has managed NREL since its inception in 1977. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

Contact: Pam Sharitz-Tesch, 816-360-1968

MRI Promotes Lyla Perrodin to Vice President and Chief Information Officer

(Kansas City, MO) October 1, 2009—Midwest Research Institute (MRI) announces the promotion of Lyla Perrodin to Vice President and Chief Information Officer, effective immediately. Perrodin was Director of Information Technology at MRI.

Perrodin’s promotion is one in a series of recent appointments made in conjunction with MRI’s leadership transition as Michael F. Helmstetter, Ph.D., assumes the role of President and CEO, effective today. In January 2009, MRI announced that James L. Spigarelli, Ph.D., President and CEO would retire, effective October 1, 2009. Prior to his recent promotion, Helmstetter was MRI’s Executive Vice President and Director of Research Operations.

As Vice President and CIO, Perrodin is responsible for enterprise-wide Information Technology (IT) and associated integration of data systems and processes, as well as compiling critical information for business planning and providing future vision of technology and systems related to MRI’s business objectives and goals. Her responsibilities for MRI’s Research Operations include IT Operations, Applications Delivery, and Records Management, IT Security, Process and Systems Integration, and Business and Competitive Intelligence units.

Additionally, Perrodin will provide the corporate interface for information systems and capabilities at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the laboratory that MRI co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy.

“Lyla’s extensive expertise and experience in strategic business planning and Information Technology will be invaluable as we continue the momentum of MRI’s growth and expansion of scientific research and related services in the critical areas of energy and environment, national security and defense, and the life sciences,” Helmstetter said.

Perrodin joined MRI in 2004 and has more than 25 years of management experience including key positions at Sprint, KPMG, and Price Waterhouse. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Drake University and an M.B.A. from Loyola University.

Contact: Pam Sharitz-Tesch, 816-360-1968

David Franz Joins National Academy of Sciences Life Sciences Board

(Frederick, MD) September 24, 2009—The National Academy of Sciences has added David R. Franz, Ph.D., D.V.M., to its National Academies Board on Life Sciences. Franz is Vice President and Chief Biological Scientist at Midwest Research Institute.

The National Academy of Sciences is an honorific society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. The National Academies bring together committees of experts in all areas of scientific and technological endeavor. These experts serve pro bono to address critical national issues and give advice to the federal government and the public.

The Board of Life Sciences serves as the National Academies’ focal point for a wide range of technical policy topics in the life sciences, including bioterrorism, genomics, biodiversity conversation, and key topics in basic biomedical research, such as stem cells. The Board organizes and oversees studies that provide advice to government and the scientific community on the biological sciences and their impact on society. The Board maintains expertise in and understanding of the full spectrum of life sciences disciplines, from molecular genetics to ecology. This enables it to deal with issues of both basic science and the higher level policy concerns that flow from or build on the basic science. The Board also oversees important studies on the improvement of biology education, particularly at the undergraduate level, and the maintenance of a robust life sciences workforce.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. MRI has managed NREL since its inception in 1977. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

Contact: Pam Sharitz-Tesch, 816-360-1968

MIT President Dr. Susan Hockfield to Receive MRI Trustee Citation Award for Visionary Leadership in Science and Technology

(Kansas City, MO) September 17, 2009—On September 17, Midwest Research Institute (MRI) will present its prestigious Trustee Citation Award to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) President Dr. Susan Hockfield for her visionary leadership in advocating the vital role that science, technology, and university research play in solving some of the world’s greatest challenges.

MRI’s Trustee Citation Award is presented each year during its annual dinner meeting to a person who exemplifies leadership in science, business, academia or the arts. Previous recipients of MRI’s Trustee Citation Award have included distinguished individuals such as Margaret Thatcher, Henry Ford II, The Honorable Henry Kissinger, Larry Bossidy, Dr. Michael Nobel, D.A. Anderson, M.D., and Dean Kamen.

“Advances in science, technology, and research are vital to the economy, security, and overall public welfare, therefore, MRI is duly proud to honor Dr. Susan Hockfield for her advocacy in leveraging these disciplines to solve some of the nation’s top priorities,” said James L. Spigarelli, MRI President and CEO. “Through Dr. Hockfield’s leadership and her ability to embrace change, MIT is developing innovations to address energy and the environment, while also battling disease and pioneering crucial progress at the burgeoning intersection of the life sciences, the physical sciences, and engineering.”

A noted neuroscientist, whose early research focused on the development of the brain and the discovery of a gene that plays a critical role in brain cancer, Dr. Hockfield, MIT’s 16th president, is the first life scientist to lead that institution.

Under Dr. Hockfield’s direction, MIT is tackling the world’s energy crisis through the launch of a major institute-wide initiative in energy research. The program leverages MIT’s vast strength in science, engineering, architecture and urban planning, economics and policy issues to pursue leading-edge research that covers the energy spectrum from insightful policy recommendations to new technology discoveries.

Further, Dr. Hockfield’s demonstrated devotion to education—by improving graduate programs in biological and biomedical sciences and leading efforts to recruit and retain students of minority groups—is helping to address the growing need for more students to pursue advanced technical degrees.

“Dr. Hockfield’s initiatives to encourage collaboration and advocate advances in science, technology, research, and education are significant contributors in the quest to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges,” Spigarelli added. “By way of the MRI Trustee Citation Award, we wish to publicly recognize and applaud Dr. Susan Hockfield for her visionary leadership and contribution to society.”

In addition to receiving the MRI Trustee Citation Award, Hockfield will be the keynote speaker at MRI’s Annual Dinner that will be held on September 17 in Kansas City. “Embracing Change” is the theme of the annual dinner that will include an audience of nearly 500 business, civic, government and academic leaders from throughout the Midwest and other parts of the country.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, agriculture and food safety, and infrastructure. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. MRI has managed NREL since its inception in 1977. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

Contact:
Pam Sharitz-Tesch
External Communications Manager
816-360-1968

Thomas M. Sack, Ph.D., promoted Senior Vice President and Director of Technical Operations at Midwest Research Institute

(Kansas City, MO) August 28, 2009—Midwest Research Institute (MRI) announced, today, the promotion of Thomas M. Sack, Ph.D., to Senior Vice President and Director of Technical Operations effective immediately. Sack was Regional Vice President and Director of MRI’s Midwest Operations.

Sack’s promotion marks the succession in leadership appointments and transition as MRI’s President and CEO James L. Spigarelli, Ph.D., prepares to retire effective October 1, 2009. As previously announced, Michael F. Helmstetter, Ph.D., MRI’s Executive Vice President and Director of Research Operations will succeed Spigarelli as President and CEO.

“Tom’s demonstrated leadership, tenure of proven technical expertise, and valuable assistance in our management transition have well positioned him to lead our technical operations that include MRI’s Midwest Operations, Florida Division and Mid-Atlantic Operations,” Helmstetter said. “Tom’s leadership is pivotal as we continue MRI’s growth and expansion of scientific research and related services in the critical areas of energy and environment, national security and defense, and the life sciences.”

Sack joined MRI in1985 as a mass spectrometrist in the Chemical Sciences Division. He has led a variety of programs throughout his tenure, most notably a series of programs that have grown into MRI’s largest business area - chemical defense. He served as the Director of the Chemical Science Division from 1999 until his promotion to Regional Vice President and Director of Midwest Operations in 2006. Sack graduated summa cum laude from Rockhurst College with a B.S. in chemistry and received a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry in 1985 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. MRI has managed NREL since its inception in 1977. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

Contact: Pam Sharitz-Tesch, 816-360-1968

MRI President and CEO, James L. Spigarelli, Ph.D., to receive William F. Yates Trustee Medallion for Distinguished Service

(Liberty, MO) August 12, 2009—Civic leaders will be honored for public service at Opening Convocation ceremonies marking the beginning of a new school year at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, in John Gano Memorial Chapel on the William Jewell College campus in Liberty, Mo. The program includes Jewell faculty members in full academic regalia. Alumni and friends of the college are invited to attend the ceremonies free of charge.

This year's recipients of the William F. Yates Trustee Medallion for Distinguished Service are Joan Berkley, philanthropist and community activist; Dr. William P. Duncan, retired President of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute; and Dr. James L. Spigarelli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwest Research Institute.

The William F. Yates Medallion for Distinguished Service is named for a William Jewell College graduate of the class of 1898, a longtime member of the Board of Trustees and major benefactor to the college. The first Yates Medallions were awarded in 1980, and the list of recipients includes a "Who's Who" of Kansas City leaders.

Addressing students and guests at Opening Convocation ceremonies will be Carl
J. Schramm, President and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. Schramm is recognized
as one of the world's foremost thinkers on the importance of entrepreneurship to
a nation's economic growth. He has led the Kauffman Foundation to develop
innovative programs aimed at transforming entrepreneurship education, the
technology transfer process, the availability of seed capital for entrepreneurs,
and economic research. He also has been instrumental in the formation of
partnerships with governments and organizations around the world to stimulate
entrepreneurship internationally. His recent books, Good Capitalism, Bad
Capitalism (available in nine languages) and The Entrepreneurial Imperative, are
regarded as emerging classics, providing new insight into the American and
international economies. In 2007, Schramm was appointed by then-U.S. Secretary
of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez to chair the Department of Commerce's Measuring
Innovation in the 21st Century committee. Trained as an economist and lawyer,
with experience in business, public policy, and academia, Schramm has founded
and co-founded several health care finance and information technology companies.
He is a Batten Fellow at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business
and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Yates Medallion recipients:

Joan Berkley is a Kansas City area philanthropist and community activist.

Dr. William P. Duncan is Retired President of the Kansas City Area Life
Sciences Institute, where he served from 2001 to 2009. He had oversight
responsibility for the Institute's life sciences initiative, including the
articulation of the Institute vision to the various community and scientific
stakeholders and potential funding organizations. He also provided the
administrative and technical leadership required to initiate the implementation
of the Institute business plan and fostered a continuing dialog and
understanding between the business and research communities. Prior to joining
the Life Sciences Institute, Dr. Duncan was Vice President of Technical
Operations for Midwest Research Institute, where he provided oversight for MRI's
six technical divisions. He has also served as President and Chief Operating
Officer of Oread Laboratories, Inc., and managed administrative and technical
functions at ChemSyn Science Laboratories, an MRI spinoff company. Dr. Duncan
received a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Oklahoma State University in 1972. He
is a member of American Chemical Society and International Isotope Society.

Dr. James L. Spigarelli is President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwest
Research Institute. In this capacity, he guides a staff of 1,800 scientists and
other professionals performing research in more than 48 scientific and technical
disciplines, including the field of energy at the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory. MRI has managed and operated NREL since its inception in 1977. Dr.
Spigarelli began his career at MRI after serving as a lieutenant in the U.S.
Army Chemical Corps at Rocky Mountain Arsenal. During his first 17 years at MRI,
his research activities focused on environmental analytical sciences with an
emphasis on chemical agents, their degradation products, and agent
demilitarization. He was appointed Vice President of MRI in 1978, Senior Vice
President in 1991, Executive Vice President in 1997, Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer in 1998, and President and Chief Executive Officer
in 1999. He received a B.A. and M.S. in Chemistry from Pittsburg State
University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Kansas State University.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, agriculture and food safety, and infrastructure. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI has managed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy since 1977. The Institute’s mission is to benefit society by providing solutions to national problems through scientific research, technology development, and technical services. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

Contact:
Pam Sharitz-Tesch
External Communications Manager
816-360-1968

MRI Evaluates Traffic Signal System for MoDOT

(Kansas City, MO) August 7, 2009—InSync, a signal timing system evaluated by Midwest Research Institute (MRI) for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is positively impacting traffic flow, while saving time, fuel, and reducing carbon emissions in Lee’s Summit, a growing Kansas City suburb.

Thanks to a new signal timing system implemented by MoDOT, drivers along Route 291 between Route 50 and Interstate 470 will see fewer stops, less gas consumption and better travel times. The InSync adaptive traffic signal system, developed by Rhythm Engineering, coordinated 12 traffic signals through the 2.5-mile corridor to improve traffic flow. It sliced 30 percent off travel time from one end of town to the other. The reduction in travel times reduces congestion through the corridor, saving drivers time and money.

The system was evaluated by Midwest Research Institute (MRI) of Kansas City. Results based on field data collected prior to and after implementation showed remarkable improvement with many benefits.

In addition to the reduction in driver delay, this system reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. In an effort to go green, MoDOT is continuously looking for ways to reduce consumption of energy and waste at state and district levels. By implementing this system, MoDOT helps motorists driving this corridor reduce fuel consumption an average of 25 percent. The average emissions, which include Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX), derived from estimated fuel consumption by the PC-Travel software, decreased from 30 to 60 percent. Stops along the corridor showed a significant decrease as well. During some time periods, stops decreased by as much as 95 percent.

"Route 291 is one of our busiest and most traveled areas where the number of traffic signals and traffic stops causes a significant amount of congestion," said Tom Evans, MoDOT Traffic Engineer. "We knew this system would help improve traffic flow along this roadway, but once the study by MRI was complete, the decrease in fuel consumption and emissions was better than we could imagine. The data clearly shows the overall improvements and more drivers across the Kansas City area will benefit from the InSync System as we move toward implementing it in other areas."

How does the system work? The InSync system uses video to evaluate the volume and flow of traffic. As vehicles move toward each signal, traffic signals will intelligently adapt to the amount of traffic flow and keep a large group of vehicles moving through each intersection with minimal disruption to the side streets.

The InSync system benefits the city of Lee's Summit in addition to MoDOT. Thanks to the improved traffic flow along Route 291, the city has moved its law enforcement efforts from Route 291 to other areas due to the decrease in traffic signal incidents, such as red light running. Based on the data already gathered, it is anticipated that the number of collisions at each intersection will decrease. This will become evident once an incident study is complete one to three years after the system has been in place. Law enforcement in the Lee's Summit area had originally increased enforcement along Route 291 to run a Red Light Running campaign to limit the number of vehicles illegally moving through an intersection. They have been able to reduce the number of law enforcement officers due to the implementation of the enhanced system along Route 291, which has reduced the number of vehicles moving through a red light. MoDOT is also in the process of working with the city of Lee's Summit to help implement the InSync system along some of the busier city streets to improve congestion.

"We are pleased to see the results of this system and how it improves traffic flow through Lee's Summit," said Michael Park, Traffic Engineer for Lee's Summit. "We have not seen any negative impacts on the side streets as you would normally see on a system similar to this one. In fact, we have received several phone calls from the community driving Route 291 who are surprised and pleased to be able to drive from one end to the other without seeing a red light."

The cost of the system placed along Route 291 is comparable to most video detection systems found at a traffic signal. The system was implemented in March 2009 as a pilot program. MRI conducted its first after-period study in April. A full statistical analysis will be performed after the final after-period study is completed in September.

For more information about other MoDOT projects, please visit MoDOT's Web site at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity.

MRI Announces William R. Menzies Promotion to Associate VP of Business Development, National Security and Homeland Defense

(Washington, D.C.) July 27, 2009—Midwest Research Institute (MRI) announces the promotion of William R. Menzies to Associate Vice President of Business Development, National Security and Defense. The announcement was made by Michael Helmstetter, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Director of Research Operations of MRI. MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent scientific research organizations, known internationally for expertise in national security and defense, energy and environment, and the life sciences.

In his new position, Menzies will be responsible for directing and coordinating the efforts of Senior Business Development Directors and expanding MRI’s client base and opportunities in the National Defense and Homeland Security market sectors, the largest of MRI’s Research Operations. Menzies will continue to be based in Washington, D.C.

Menzies joined MRI in 1997, serving in several positions, including Director of BioDefense Programs and most recently, as Regional Director of Business Development, developing contacts within the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, the FBI, and numerous other government and major lead systems integrators.

Prior to joining MRI, Menzies served as Principal Product Manager at Radian International, responsible for managing projects for one of Radian’s largest clients, Gas Research Institute (GRI). And he also worked at Texaco Corporation and Pace Company, where he had process engineering and consulting responsibilities.

Menzies holds a B.E. in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and

Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

MRI Announces NREL Research Gains Three Prestigious R&D 100 Awards

(Golden, CO) July 22, 2009—Midwest Research Institute (MRI) is pleased to announce that an ultra-accelerated weathering system, a parabolic trough solar concentrating collector, and a microbattery — all developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) — were recently named as top 100 innovations for 2009 by R&D Magazine. NREL is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC., a partnership between Midwest Research Institute and Battelle.

The Ultra-Accelerated Weathering System (UAWS) is a multifaceted ultraviolet solar concentrator used to speed up the exposure of coatings, paints, and other materials to determine their durability and resistance to weathering. Industry applications include coatings used for solar panels while other uses for the UAWS include paints or finishes used on homes, cars or even bridges. The UAWS provides test results 12 times faster than other accelerated weathering systems and can replicate years of sun damage in just a few weeks. NREL shares this award with Atlas Material Testing Technology and the Institute of Laser Optical Technology. NREL researchers who worked on the project are Gary Jorgensen, Al Lewandowski (retired), Carl Bingham and Judy Netter.

The SkyTrough™ Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrating Collector uses a reflector material developed by NREL and its collaborative research partner, SkyFuel, to create a ground-breaking and low-cost system for utility-sized power generation. The SkyTrough™ uses ReflecTech® Mirror Film, a glass-free, slide-in mirror that is lightweight and weather proof. This innovation coupled with improvements to items like the hydraulic-based rotational system and the sun-tracking controller enables SkyTrough™ to reduce the installed cost by 35 percent and substantially improves the financial return to investors. This reduction to the price barriers brings the installation costs into competition with gas-fired power plants. NREL shares this award with SkyFuel, Inc. NREL researchers who worked on the project are Gary Jorgenson, Tim Wendelin, Allison Gray, Mark Mehos, Frank Burkholder and Kent Terwilliger.
The PowerPlane UX Microbattery is a safe, rechargeable, deep-cycle, thin-film lithium microbattery. Its ideal applications are remote wireless sensors, smart homes, smart cars and medical sensing devices. Unlike traditional batteries, the PowerPlane UX Microbattery has a long life cycle even if it is frequently and fully discharged. It uses a solid glass electrolyte—lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON)—to give the battery its longer cycle life. NREL developed the buried-anode architecture used in the microbattery. This innovation involves lithium being intercalated, or chemically trapped within, the cathode layer. The battery also is tolerant of high temperatures. NREL shares this award with Planar Energy Devices. NREL researchers who worked on the project are Roland Pitts, Ed Tracy and Dane Gillaspie.

“The Department of Energy's national laboratories are incubators of innovation, and I'm proud they are being recognized once again for their remarkable work,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. ”The cutting-edge research and development being done in our national labs is vital to maintaining America’s competitive edge, increasing our nation’s energy security, and protecting our environment. I want to thank this year's winners for their work and congratulate them on this award.”

“These technologies showcase the variety of world-class research and development that is NREL’s hallmark,” NREL Director Dan Arvizu said. “We are honored to once again have our efforts recognized with this preeminent award.”

The R&D 100 Awards are known in the industry as the “Oscars of Invention” and the awards showcase the best new technologies from around the world. Including this year’s recognition, NREL has won a total of 45 awards R&D 100 Awards. The 2009 awards gala will be held on November 12 at the Renaissance Orlando Hotel at SeaWorld in Florida.

MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

MRI Selected to Help Companies Advance the Development of Influenza Vaccines

(Kansas City, MO) May 4, 2009—Recognized internationally for its expertise in virology and toxicology, Midwest Research Institute (MRI) has been selected by PATH to support its vaccine partner companies in advancing the development of new, safe, and effective influenza vaccines. The goal of the PATH effort is to produce vaccines more quickly, economically, and in large quantities to counter a global influenza pandemic.

MRI, headquartered in Kansas City, is one of the nation’s leading independent scientific organizations conducting contract research for government, industry and academia since 1944.

PATH, an international, nonprofit organization, creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions that enable communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. In 2008, PATH launched a vaccine research program to accelerate influenza vaccine development through partnerships with public- and private-sector organizations.

Through the agreement, PATH partner companies will contract with MRI to perform assays and preclinical studies using influenza vaccine candidates. These studies will include in-vivo and in-vitro experiments, animal safety studies, and chemistry support activities. PATH strives to consolidate and standardize the preclinical animal testing at a single source, MRI, to improve consistency of study performance and reliability and reproducibility of associated data for their partnering companies.

“The opportunity to support PATH in their mission to improve world health is an exceptional achievement for MRI,” said Thomas Sack, Ph.D., MRI Regional Vice President of Midwest Operations. “Our selection by PATH is recognition of MRI’s excellence in biological and health sciences and our outstanding vaccine development and influenza virus testing programs.”

MRI Advances Algal Biofuels Research Utilizing Open and Closed Bioreactors

(Kansas City, MO and Palm Bay, FL) April 20, 2009—In just five months after announcing the creation of a state-of-the-art Center for Integrated Algal Research, Midwest Research Institute (MRI) has installed and activated two technically distinct bioreactor technologies to accelerate the Institute’s pursuits in algae research. MRI recently activated an open pond “raceway” cultivation system at its laboratory in Palm Bay, Fla., and a continuous flow, closed loop photobioreactor at its field station near Kansas City, Mo.

Through the Center for Integrated Algal Research, MRI is leveraging the Institute’s expertise in biotechnology, chemistry, systems engineering and bioinformatics to provide government and industry with a broad range of integrated R&D services related to the use of algae in solving energy and environmental challenges. MRI’s algae research and development efforts are focused in two core areas: developing biofuels and related products, and addressing carbon dioxide capture.

“Within the R&D industry, we are seeing the pace of algae research increase at a significant rate as we look for new ways to address energy and environmental challenges,” said Stanley Bull, Ph.D., Director of Energy Programs at MRI. “Many organizations take the approach of using either the closed or open bioreactor systems for their research. MRI now has an advantage by being able to study both systems to determine the best and most effective methods for culturing and processing specific strains of algae for use in producing biofuels or addressing carbon dioxide capture.” MRI, an independent scientific research organization, has more than 30 years of experience associated with renewable energy research and environmental sustainability.

MRI’s open bioreactor system in Palm Bay includes two open pond raceway channels, each 40 feet long and 4 feet wide. The two raceways combined have a capacity of 8,000 gallons of water and are currently producing approximately 330 pounds of dry algal biomass per month with projections to increase biomass output with new R&D improvements. The pilot raceway cultivation system provides a platform ideally suited for the investigation of technologies related to scale-up of algae production in open systems.

“Adding the raceway bioreactor represents a fundamental step in MRI’s effort to establish a renewable fuel production system that integrates and automates algae growth, harvest, and oil extraction,” said Roy Swiger, Ph.D., Director of MRI’s Florida Division. “The system will also be used to research water quality and recovery, as well as energy efficiency.”

MRI’s closed loop photobioreactor in Kansas City provides a pilot scale algae production facility enclosed in a greenhouse to allow for year-round testing. This closed system has a capacity of approximately 1,000 gallons of algae dense medium and is capable of harvesting approximately 90 pounds of dry mass per month. Artificial lighting is available and allows for exploring effects from using a variety of real world and simulated environments. “This robust system provides a unique test bed for rigorous characterization of diverse algae strains and stringent monitoring of their associated growth conditions, said Roger Harris, Ph.D., MRI Associate Vice President and Director of the Energy and Life Sciences Division. “It also provides integration of harvesting and other processing equipment for end-to-end product operations.”

By employing both systems, MRI will be better equipped to assist government and industry in maximizing the potential of algae for solving energy and environmental challenges. The Center’s comprehensive focus includes characterization of preferred algal strains, growth optimization, contamination mitigation, harvesting methods, oil extraction, and carbon capture.

To learn more about MRI’s Integrated Algal Research Center please visit the web page on MRI’s web site at http://www.mriresearch.org/ResearchServices/CtrIntgAlgalRes/CtrIntgAlgalRes.html

About Midwest Research Institute

MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy, and has managed NREL since its inception in 1977. MRI is also the management and operating contractor for the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC) located in Aurora, Colo. For more information about MRI, please visit www.mriresearch.org

MRI Launches Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
Receives CLIA Certification and CAP Accreditation

(Palm Bay, FL) April 17, 2009—To address the growing need for molecular diagnostics, officials at the Florida Division of Midwest Research Institute (MRI) announced today that they have established a Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory that is now fully accredited, licensed and operational.

MRI, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the nation’s leading independent scientific research organizations conducting contract research for business, government, and academia for 65 years.

In preparing for the Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, MRI’s Palm Bay laboratory applied for and received numerous registrations and certifications – all of which add up to top level accreditation within the industry. The laboratory’s accreditations include:

Certificate of Registration from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulated through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
Accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP)
State of Florida Laboratory License enabling the laboratory to begin clinical testing services
Certification for ISO/IEC 17025:2005

According to MRI officials, molecular diagnostics is one of the fastest growing segments of the in vitro diagnostics industry. Growth in this sector, coupled with increasing FDA guidance for labeling in vitro diagnostic devices requiring clinical validation or clinical trials, has created a need for more CLIA certified laboratories with the capability for conducting clinical tests for diagnostic kits and reagents.

“MRI anticipated the need for more CLIA certified laboratories required to support diagnostics R&D within the proper regulatory environment. MRI’s recent accreditation opens the door for the institute to participate in clinical trials and third party validation of clinical diagnostics,” said Roy R. Swiger, Ph.D., Director of MRI’s Florida Division. “This initiative builds on MRI’s strengths and capabilities and we have positioned our laboratory to support this rapidly growing niche.”

In particular, MRI’s Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory offers dedicated facilities and staff committed to support molecular diagnostics assay developers with clinical trials and clinical validation for PMA and 510k submission to the Food and Drug Administration.

Specific services that MRI will provide include:

Molecular diagnostic assay development and validation
Clinical trials support
Comparisons to “Gold Standards” or predicate devices
Assay and platform evaluation at all levels of development

In addition to state-of-the-art laboratories, MRI has an expert staff including Ph.D. scientists with experience in diagnostic assay development and are dedicated for pre-submission activities, licensed for performing clinical laboratory services, and highly trained in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, and Immunology. MRI’s Florida Division also has extensive experience in supporting large contracts with the U.S. government to validate platforms and assays for use by public health and criminal laboratories to identify pathogens within complex environmental samples.

MRI will have an exhibit at the Clinical Virology Symposium that will be held in Daytona Beach, Fla., April 19-22 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. MRI staff will be available at the exhibit to provide more detail on the Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory.

About Midwest Research Institute

MRI Expands in Kansas to Support Regional Economic Development in Animal Health, Biosecurity, and Bioenergy Sectors

(Kansas City, MO) March 31, 2009—One of the nation’s leading independent research institutes is expanding in Kansas as the region’s scientific assets align to support the critical mission of protecting the American food supply and to develop urgently needed bioenergy solutions.

Officials at Midwest Research Institute (MRI) announced today that they are expanding MRI’s existing operations by establishing a wholly owned subsidiary of the Institute that will be named Midwest Research Institute-Kansas, LLC, and headquartered in Manhattan, Kan., at the Manhattan/K-State Innovation Center. The new subsidiary will support economic development opportunities in the animal health, biosecurity, and advanced energy business sectors, areas of common interest that MRI officials have collaborated on with leaders from Kansas State University (K-State) and the state of Kansas for several years.

“This is an important day in MRI history,” said James L. Spigarelli, MRI President and CEO. “Establishing a physical presence in Kansas in addition to the Institute’s strong and historic presence in Missouri will enable MRI to significantly strengthen its support of vital scientific research in our bi-state region. We look forward to many new opportunities ahead.”

“Research and development in animal health, biosecurity and advanced energy are important areas that will drive economic development for our state,” said Kansas Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson. “We are very pleased that MRI, with nationally recognized expertise in these areas, has chosen to expand in Kansas. The Institute’s presence here and in Missouri will create new opportunities to leverage the strength of a bi-state approach in solving critical national challenges.”

Spigarelli also announced that Michael F. Helmstetter will serve as President of Midwest Research Institute-Kansas, LLC. Helmstetter is Executive Vice President and Director of Research Operations at MRI and will become President and CEO on October 1, 2009, following Spigarelli’s retirement which was announced earlier this year.

MRI has a strong heritage that began 65-years ago when civic leaders established MRI in Kansas City, Mo., as a scientific research institute to support industry and create jobs for the region. From its beginning, MRI has supported the region, including both sides of the Kansas and Missouri state line, with innovations and technology development that have made the Institute one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, agriculture and food safety and the life sciences. MRI also has labs in Florida and Maryland and has managed and operated the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy since its inception in 1977.

“MRI has forged strong working relationships with leaders at K-State and the state of Kansas, both the state and federal level, that have resulted in promising economic development opportunities in three of MRI’s largest growth sectors - animal health, biosecurity, and energy,” Helmstetter said. “We commend the support and leadership of our Kansas constituents who are making these opportunities a reality.”

According to Helmstetter, Midwest Research Institute-Kansas, LLC, will begin with a focus in three key areas:

Animal Health Research – Midwest Research Institute-Kansas, LLC, will initially focus on animal health research efforts to support the region’s animal health corridor with new developments in nutrition, medicines and the commercialization of related technology and health products.
Biosecurity – MRI and K-State are forming a new collaborative entity to facilitate research relevant to the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) that will be built on the K-State campus. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced their decision to locate NBAF in Manhattan in January 2009. The facility is not expected to be fully operational until 2015, but it is critical to the nation’s security that the NBAF mission gets underway before then. This new MRI-K-State venture will focus on jump-starting NBAF research, development, testing, and evaluation at K-State’s Biosecurity Research Institute and on providing biocontainment management and operations services under an agreement with the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA).
Advanced Energy R&D - With its extensive background in renewable energy research, MRI will align the new Midwest Research Institute-Kansas, LLC, with K-State’s energy research and those of its commercialization arm, the National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition and Commercialization (NISTAC), to collaborate on advanced energy research and accelerate technology commercialization. MRI, K-State and Burns & McDonnell recently signed a “Biotroleum Alliance” to develop and deploy alternative energy technologies geared toward carbon mitigation and energy efficiency.

“The synergies between K-State and MRI are powerful,” said Ron Trewyn, K-State’s Vice President for Research. “By collaborating and working together, we will have the capability to seamlessly move new discoveries, whether they are in animal health, biosecurity, or energy, from basic research through development to the commercialization and deployment of new technologies and products that will protect and benefit society. We are very pleased that MRI chose the K-State Research Park for their Kansas subsidiary.”

“The NBAF is one of the single most significant accomplishments we have achieved in recent years to stimulate economic development and to highlight our national bioscience leadership in key sectors,” said Tom Thornton, President and CEO of KBA. “This was made possible by the teamwork of many players, including MRI, whose expertise in biosecurity, biosafety, and national laboratory management will be invaluable as we accelerate research efforts to protect the American food supply.”

MRI plans to open its subsidiary office in the Manhattan/K-State Innovation Center in early April.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

Media Contacts:
Pam Sharitz-Tesch - MRI, 816-360-1968
Cheryl May - K-State, 785.532.0458
Beth Martino - Ks. Lt. Governor’s office, 785.368.8500
Chad Bettes - KBA, 913.397.8300

MRI Engineer Receives Missouri Department of Transportation Research Award

(Kansas City, MO) March 19, 2009—The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) awarded Ingrid Potts, P.E., Midwest Research Institute (MRI), the 2009 Innovative Researcher Achievement Award on March 17, in Branson, Mo., during the Transportation Engineers Association of Missouri Annual Conference. Potts, an MRI Principal Traffic Engineer, was given the award for her leadership role in a research project that MRI conducted for MoDOT. The project, entitled Benefit/Cost Evaluation of the Total Striping and Delineation, entailed the evaluation of road improvements along 2,200 miles of Missouri Highways.

“It is quite an honor to have been selected for this award,” said Potts. “I had an excellent team of MRI staff working with me on this project and we are pleased that MoDOT is recognizing our work.” Potts’ MRI Transportation Research Center team members included Doug Harwood, (Section Manager, Engineering) Courtney Bokenkroger (Staff Statistician) and Jessica Hutton (Associate Traffic Engineer).

MoDot’s Innovative Researcher Achievement Award
The Missouri Department of Transportation's (MoDOT) Innovative Researcher Achievement Award recognizes a principal investigator or research team who produced exceptional quality transportation research. The annual nominations are chosen from a list of completed research projects funded and managed by the MoDOT Organizational Results Division. The projects must meet the following criteria: 1) provide results that help Move Missouri Forward, 2) have either been implemented/ the resultant information has been disseminated successfully, 3) provides cost savings and/or improved system performance, 4) provides support to mission, values and tangible results. After the nomination process, projects are then forwarded to MoDOT executive leadership and a final determination of the innovative researcher is made.

MRI’s Transportation Research
It was 2005 when MoDOT awarded the multi-year Benefit/Cost Evaluation project to MRI’s Transportation Research Center. The scope of work was to evaluate the striping and delineation improvements implemented as part of MoDOT’s Smooth Roads Initiative and to assess public satisfaction with those improvements. The improvements included wider and brighter striping and enhanced rumble strips, reflective markers added to median and guard rails, and roadside emergency reference markers. Ingrid Potts, P.E., led the project as MRI’s Principal Investigator.

Potts earned her MS in Transportation Engineering at Texas A&M University, is a registered engineer, and has been with MRI since 1996.

MRI has conducted transportation research at the national level for over 40 years and has extensive experience in evaluating transportation-related improvements for effectiveness in highway safety. MRI Staff received the Transportation Research Board’s D. Grant Mickle Award in 2005 for research on the safety effects of using narrow lanes to increase the capacity of urban freeways.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

For more information about MoDOT, visit the MoDOT web site at http://www.modot.mo.gov/services/OR/.

Midwest Research Institute President and CEO James L. Spigarelli to retire
October 1, 2009

(Kansas City, MO) January 29, 2009—During Midwest Research Institute’s (MRI) Mid-Year Trustee meeting today, MRI Board Chairman Richard C. Green, Jr., announced that James L. Spigarelli, Ph.D., President and CEO, has confirmed his plans to retire from MRI effective October 1, 2009. Upon retirement, Spigarelli will become a Vice Chairman of MRI’s Board of Directors.

Green also announced that Michael F. Helmstetter, Ph.D., MRI Senior Vice President and Director of Research Operations, has been selected to succeed Spigarelli as President and CEO, effective October 1, 2009. In addition, Helmstetter and Dan E. Arvizu, Ph.D., MRI Senior Vice President and Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), have been promoted to Executive Vice President effective January 1, 2009.

“Jim Spigarelli has had an outstanding 38-year career with MRI, his passion for science and compassion for people are evident in his success,” Green said. “He started at the Institute as an associate chemist in 1970 and gained a national reputation for his work in chemical defense and treaty verification. Through his leadership as President and CEO over the past nine years, Jim has led MRI through significant growth, making it a nearly $500 million not-for-profit scientific research institute.”

Spigarelli will continue his current activities as President and CEO for the next eight months while coordinating with Helmstetter and the Board to smoothly transition the leadership reins of the organization by October 1.

“It has been a privilege for me to work with the wonderful people at MRI and our Board of Directors,” Spigarelli said. “Truly, it’s the total team that has made MRI so successful and allowed me a fulfilling and enjoyable career. I also look forward to the opportunity to continue my relationship with MRI and NREL following my retirement through my board positions. ”

Prior to joining MRI in 1970, Spigarelli served as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps and then obtained his doctorate degree in Chemistry from Kansas State University. Following numerous promotions at MRI, he became a Vice President in 1987, was appointed Senior Vice President in 1991, Executive Vice President in 1997, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 1998, and President and Chief Executive Officer in 1999.

In addition, Spigarelli holds numerous leadership positions in the academic and business communities. He currently serves on the Kansas State University Research Foundation Board, the Rockhurst University Board of Trustees, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Board of Trustees, the Kansas City Regional Animal Health Corridor Advisory Board, the Kansas National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility Task Force, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City where he leads the Energy Task Force, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Evogen, Inc., Board of Directors, Science Pioneers Board of Directors, and the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute Board of Directors for which he was instrumental in founding and served as Chair for five years.

Helmstetter has more than 20 years of experience in research and laboratory management and joined MRI in 1999 as Director of its then new Florida Division, a research laboratory that Helmstetter managed for six years and MRI acquired. Prior to joining MRI, Helmstetter held laboratory management positions at Applied Marine Research Laboratory in Norfolk, Va., and at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Fort Pierce, Fla. In 1993, he became President of the Brevard Teaching and Research Laboratories in Palm Bay, Fla., the post he held until 1999 when MRI acquired the laboratory and he joined MRI.

Helmstetter serves on several boards and committees including: Labconco Corporation Board of Directors, Missouri BIO Board of Directors, KU Medical Center Research Institute Board of Directors, Kansas State University Veterinary College Board, Dycor Technologies, Ltd., Board of Directors, Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation, the Kansas State University Biosecurity Research Institute Advisory Committee and he leads the Advanced Energy Task Force for the Kansas City Area Development Council.

Arvizu joined MRI in 2005, when he became a Senior Vice President and the Director of NREL. Prior to joining MRI, Arvizu was the chief technology officer with CH2M Hill Companies, Ltd., and prior to that was an executive with Sandia National Laboratories and AT&T Bell Telephone Laboratories.

Arvizu is a member of the National Science Board, which is the governing board of the National Science Foundation and the national science policy advisory body to the President and Congress. He serves on a number of boards and committees including the Advisory Board of the American Council on Renewable Energy and the Board of the National Hispanic National Achievement Awards Corporation.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety.   With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

MRI Wins $26.3 Million Army Contract to Design and Develop Robotic Mannequin System for Unique Chemical Defense Application

(Kansas City, MO) January 5, 2009—Midwest Research Institute (MRI), a Kansas City based institution with more than 60-years of experience in scientific research, has been awarded a $26.3 million project from the U.S. Army to develop the first-of-its kind integrated Individual Protection Ensemble (IPE) Mannequin System that will be able to perform high fidelity tests on individual protective equipment under live chemical exposure conditions.

The IPE Mannequin system features a free-standing, self-balancing robot that simulates human physiology for realistic tests of protective equipment in a controlled environment that includes an exposure chamber and control room.

“MRI has more than 40 years of experience in providing the U.S. Department of Defense with cutting-edge research, development, testing, and evaluation in the areas of personal and collective protection, chemical and biological detection, and decontamination,” said MRI Senior Vice President and Director of Research Operations Michael F. Helmstetter, Ph.D. “Our team, composed of five world-class partners, has the combined capabilities and expertise to unequivocally meet the design-to-build requirements for this unique, sophisticated IPE Mannequin System and we are honored to be awarded this opportunity from the U.S. Army.”

MRI, the prime contractor for this award, will serve as the systems integrator and is responsible for systems engineering, program management, integration and chemical expertise. MRI’s sub-contractors for the award include: Boston Dynamics – responsible for the robotic mannequin design and fabrication; Measurement Technology Northwest – responsible for the mannequin physiology; Smith Carter CUH2A (SCC) – responsible for the containment chamber design; and HHI Corporation – responsible for construction and installation of the exposure chamber. Work for the IPE Mannequin System will be performed in Kansas City, Mo., Waltham, Mass., Seattle, Wash., Atlanta, Ga., and Farmington, Utah, with an estimated completion date in April 2011.

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes conducting research in the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, that manages the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, visit www.mriresearch.org

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