Higher education and budget experts from the offices of the state’s legislative leaders spent Wednesday at The University of Texas at Dallas to see firsthand how funding decisions made in Austin affect the University, one of the state’s emerging research institutions.

Guests to campus included:

Carlos Martinez, University of Texas System assistant vice chancellor for governmental relations and academic affairs, also accompanied the group.

The Austin staff members had the opportunity to learn about the Center for BrainHealth from Dr. Sandra Chapman, the Dee Wyly Distinguished Chair for Brain Health and Chief Director of the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth.  The Center’s Middle School Brain Years initiative received $6 million in state funding during the 81st Legislature to enhance programs designed to improve critical thinking in the local middle school age population. 

The visitors also discussed the work of the Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute with Dr. Ray Baughman, the Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry and Director of the Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute. The NanoTech Institute, another University endeavor that receives support from the state, is a research center dedicated to new science and technological discoveries on the nanoscale.

Other highlights of the visit included a guided tour of the campus construction and a working lunch with President David E. Daniel and several members of the administration.  The staff members also had the opportunity to speak with a group of students, led by Student Government President Diana Kao. 

Amanda Rockow, the University’s vice president for public affairs, coordinated the visit.

“We were delighted to host these important staff members from Austin this week,” she said. “Our guests were very impressed with the pace of progress at UT Dallas.  This visit will go a long way in helping us as we prepare for the 82nd Texas Legislature.”