The West Virginia University Research Corp. received the Partnership Award in the education category at the Polymer Alliance Zone (PAZ) annual meeting Feb. 10 in Charleston.

With funding provided by U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, WVU partners with the PAZ in the Mid-Atlantic Recycling Center for End-of-Life Electronics ( MARCEE ) Project. MARCEE s goal is to establish a polymer recycling industry in the polymer alliance zone of West Virginia. The program focuses on plastics associated with end-of-life electronics such as computers, and is expected to be a model for the entire United States.

We are grateful to the PAZ for the recognition of the University as a good partner,said John D. Weete, vice president of research and economic development at WVU and president of the WVU Research Corp., who accepted the award.We believe that effective partnerships are essential to our strategic planning for growing the WVU research enterprise and linking it to economic development.

Others from WVU attending the annual meeting in Charleston were Russ Lorince, director of economic development; Curt Peterson, associate vice president for research; and Alan Martin, director of sponsored programs.

WVUs primary roles in the MARCEE Project are to conduct research relevant to the project goals, develop technologies and products from recycled plastics that can be commercialized, and to serve as the fiscal agent for the project,Weete noted.With Carl Irwin as the overall WVU project director, researchers Hota Gangarao, Rakesh Gupta and Richard Turton should be commended on the progress already made on this project.