As part of its mission to help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, ASPIRE, the technology programme management arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), will fund three Virtual Research Institutes (VRIs) in Abu Dhabi Universities. With a spend of more than AED200 million (USD 54.4 million) over five years, the move represents a significant R&D investment. Two of the VRIs will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU).
Precision medicine
The Abu Dhabi Precision Medicine Virtual Research Institute (ADPMVRI), led by Hub Director Professor Milos Ljubisavljevic, will focus on uplifting biotechnology research in Abu Dhabi to ensure a positive and sustainable impact on healthcare and residents’ quality of life. The ADPMVRI is partnered with Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, and the Cleveland Clinic, and will collaborate with Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University and the University of North Carolina, among others to pool the required talent.
The ADPMVRI seeks to address the need for a holistic healthcare system focused on precision medicine – whereby diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment are customised to meet individual patient needs based on scientific principles. In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Health Authority (SEHA), the ADPMVRI will develop research projects that will address major health concerns and drive the improvement of clinical care in Abu Dhabi.
Food security
The Abu Dhabi International Virtual Research Institute for Food Security in the Drylands (ADIVRIFSD), led by Hub Director Dr. Elke Neumann, aims to achieve food security in arid regions around the world. The ADIVRIFSD will work with Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi Agriculture, Food Safety Authority, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, as well as University of California, Davis and Wageningen University to contribute to innovations in protected urban plant cultivation, urban agroforestry, aquaculture, insect, and algal farming.
In addition, the ADIVRIFSD’s projects will generate cutting-edge data platforms and simulation tools to track animal and food-borne diseases and antimicrobial resistances, as well as forecast future consumer needs and trends across global and national food markets.
Speaking on the three VRIs, Dr. Arthur Morrish, CEO of ASPIRE, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Abu Dhabi’s universities that are key incubators of our next generation of local talent and help shape tomorrow’s scientific leaders. With the growing focus on sustainability in all spheres of life today, we are now able to support world-leading research in these priority areas. We look forward to seeing the long-term impact the VRIs will have, and to their recommendations that can enhance the quality of life of the local population with far-reaching implications for healthcare, food security, and sustainable energy production within and beyond our borders.”
Sustainable energy
The third VRI, with a focus on sustainable energy production, storage, and utilisation, will be hosted by Khalifa University and will develop advanced renewable energy and sustainable technologies. The VRI will collaborate with New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi University, as well as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Technology, among other international entities. Its core R&D efforts cover cutting-edge technologies spanning areas of sustainable power generation, energy storage, renewable energy integration, smart grid, and demand-side energy efficiency that are crucial for Abu Dhabi’s sustainable development. Led by Dr Samuel Mao, Hub Director, the VRI will generate policy recommendations that promote Abu Dhabi as a pioneer in energy sustainability.
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar has been driving green power initiatives across the MENA region and further afield as part of the emirate’s focus on sustainability.
