Housed within WEI, GLBRC is a DOE-funded research center focused on performing the basic research that generates technology to convert cellulosic biomass to ethanol and other advanced biofuels.

Under Secretary Orr met with UW–Madison Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Education Marsha Mailick and toured WEI’s award winning, green-designed building, visiting labs where biofuels and microgrid research were taking place. He also met with a range of UW–Madison faculty members with DOE-funded research projects, with faculty and staff collaborating across GLBRC, and with representatives from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which manages the patent and licensing activities generated by DOE-funded discoveries.

Under Secretary Orr concluded the day by presiding over a graduate student roundtable, learning more about the students’ research projects at UW–Madison and answering their questions about careers in research.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Under Secretary Orr to UW–Madison and GLBRC,” said Tim Donohue, Director of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. “It was a remarkable opportunity to share with him not only what we’ve accomplished thus far in terms of scientific breakthroughs, student education, and technology licensing, but also to convey the enthusiasm shared among campus leaders, faculty, staff, and students for the future of energy research on this campus.”