Leveraging a 75-plus-year partnership, the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory established the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute in 2019 in response to America’s need for a stronger pipeline of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent. UT-ORII officially launched in 2021 with the hiring of its first director, Joan Bienvenue. UT-ORII is focused on expanding collaborative research and development and preparing the next-generation of talent in areas of greatest importance to our nation and the world, such as advanced materials and manufacturing, energy, biology and health sciences, and data science. The end goals are for Tennessee to be known worldwide as a hub for talent and discovery; and for UT-ORII to become the national model for joint research and innovation, interdisciplinary education and workforce development in these key areas. To learn more about the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, go to www.utorii.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.