Kansas Polymer Research Center:
A model for innovation and excellence

The following is a column by Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

Five years ago few would have predicted that Kansas would be a leader in the biosciences. Now, thanks to the innovation of the Kansas Bioscience Authority, entrepreneurs, and researchers across the state, Kansas finds itself at the forefront of the bioscience industry.

Just last week, I was proud to be in Pittsburg for the dedication of the Tyler Research Center. The Tyler Research Center is the new research facility for scientists of the Kansas Polymer Research Center at Pittsburg State University and is a model for the future of bioscience in Kansas. 

These scientists work with industrial partners, state and federal agencies, and producer associations on development and commercialization of plastics made from organic material.

Through an existing partnership with Cargill, a leading agribusiness company, Pittsburg State researchers have developed a line of plastics made from soybean oil. These plastics have application potential in such areas as automotive construction, home furnishings and agriculture development. As testament to their hard work, these scientists won a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for plastics research.

This new facility will allow for increased collaboration between scientists, industry leaders and government agencies. By forging additional partnerships between stakeholders, enhancing research and development operations, and maintaining a healthy and vigorous bioscience enterprise, Kansas will continue as a leader in the field of bioscience research.

Academic institutions like the Kansas Polymer Research Center play an important part in the long-term growth of our bioscience sector. Pittsburg State University is producing skilled graduates with the scientific and technical knowledge essential to keeping Kansas at the forefront of bioscience research, and I congratulate them on the opening of the Tyler Research Center.

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