UNLV to Showcase Rising Research Excellence at AURP 2025 International Conference, Nov. 11-14 

UNLV, a Carnegie R1 Institution and Home to Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, to Host AURP Global and Community Innovation Leaders

Tucson, AZ and College Park, MD, March 5, 2025 – The Association of University Research Parks (AURP), a global nonprofit membership association dedicated to supporting university-based research parks and innovation districts, is thrilled to announce the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) will host the AURP 2025 International Conference (IC2025) in Las Vegas, NV, November 11-14, 2025.

This prestigious event will draw nearly 300 leaders from U.S., Canadian and global universities, innovation districts, tech hubs and master planning architectural and development firms to engage in dynamic discussions on topics including placemaking strategies, innovation district planning, university-led economic development and the critical role of innovation ecosystems in shaping the future. Conference registration will open this summer. 

UNLV: A Rising Force in Research and Innovation

As a Carnegie R1 institution, UNLV stands among the top tier of U.S. universities, signaling its distinction as a premier research powerhouse. With a 31% increase in research funding over the past year, the university is fueling groundbreaking projects that contribute directly to Nevada’s economic development. Central to these efforts is the Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, a cornerstone for advancing research, business development and the future of Southern Nevada’s innovation economy.

“We are thrilled to bring the AURP global community of innovation to Las Vegas this November,” said AURP President Allison Madden, MBA, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary of the University of South Florida (USF) Research Foundation. “UNLV’s remarkable rise as a research generator underscores its commitment to nurturing innovation, boosting economic development and addressing the critical challenges of our time. As former UNLV President Keith Whitfield often said, ‘Research is central to our success as a university and to our ability to make real and lasting contributions to our state and regional economy.’”

UNLV’s Transformation into a Premier Research Hub

AURP Board Member Zach Miles, UNLV’s Senior Associate Vice President for Economic Development and Executive Director of the UNLV Research Foundation, expressed excitement about hosting the 2025 Conference. “It’s the perfect moment for us to showcase our progress and vision,” said Miles. “With increased research funding and pioneering innovations emerging across disciplines, UNLV stands as a model for how universities can catalyze regional prosperity through research excellence. This conference provides an invaluable opportunity for innovation leaders to learn how we’ve transformed into a top-tier research institution – from earning our Carnegie R1 status to developing a thriving research park that attracts industry partnerships and drives economic impact.”

AURP 2025: A Global Forum for Knowledge Exchange

AURP’s International Conference annually brings together university research park and innovation district leaders from across the globe for high-impact networking and knowledge sharing. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how institutions like UNLV are advancing research and innovation to benefit their local economies and beyond. The event will provide an inside look at the best practices in research park development and the crucial role universities play in driving regional and global innovation.

“Las Vegas continues to emerge as a dynamic hub of innovation, and UNLV stands at the heart of this transformation,” said Vickie Palmer, CEO of AURP. “With the Harry Reid Research and Technology Park fueling business development including the formation of the Las Vegas Medical District, we are excited to showcase how university research parks drive economic growth using the diverse talents residing within their very community. Our international peers will experience firsthand how UNLV’s research excellence is translating into tangible impact for Nevada’s economy.”

Research at UNLV: Transforming Ideas into Solutions

UNLV’s commitment to innovation is evident through its faculty and student-led research initiatives that address global challenges. Notable examples include Professor H. Jeremy Cho and his team in mechanical engineering, who are pioneering atmospheric water harvesting techniques that could help address water scarcity issues. Similarly, UNLV geoscientists have made significant discoveries, including identifying the first-ever mineral from Earth's lower mantle, which is reshaping understanding of the planet's geological processes.

In addition, UNLV is one of three universities (including Arizona State University and the University of Utah) partnering with other regional industry, education and nonprofit entities to lead the Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE). The SWSIE – one of the first Regional Innovation Engines supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation – is centering its research focus on water security, energy, air quality, systems transformation and visioning/roadmapping.

With cutting-edge research and a dedicated commitment to economic growth, UNLV is proving that universities can serve as catalysts for transformative change in both academia and the broader community. As the host of the 2025 AURP International Conference, UNLV will showcase how a leading research institution can leverage innovation, collaboration and research excellence to inspire global progress.

About the University of Nevada, Las Vegas:
UNLV is a public, urban research institution that holds the nation’s highest recognition for both research and community engagement from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching – R1, the gold standard for research institutions. These distinctions underscore UNLV’s vision to become one of the nation’s premier public universities for research, education, and community impact. UNLV research is central to Nevada’s economic renaissance, increasing the availability of good-paying jobs and the secondary industries that support them. We put our expertise to work through projects and partnerships that solve challenges, create opportunities, and answer the profound questions of our time. UNLV research also directly translates to teaching, elevating student learning and bringing context to issues facing our state, nation, and world. Learn more: www.unlv.edu

About AURP:
AURP, a non-profit international organization with offices in Tucson, Arizona at the University of Arizona Tech Park and in the Washington, D.C. area at the University of Maryland Discovery District, focuses on creating communities of innovation and education for research parks, both operating and planned, plus innovation districts, incubators, accelerators and the businesses that support the research park industry. AURP and its global membership promote research, institute-industry relations and innovation districts to foster innovation and to facilitate the transfer of technology from such institutions to the private sector. Learn more: www.aurp.net

Media Contact:
Ken Berlack
AURP
[email protected]