Last Thursday, Mizzou was thrilled to celebrate the expansion of two new industry-funded facilities at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR). Together, the additions bring an incredible 30,000 square feet of space to support critical industry partnerships and manufacturing of no-carrier-added lutetium-177 – a lifesaving cancer treatment. 

We were joined by over 250 attendees, including UM Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves, as well as key MURR partners in the nuclear medicine industry, including Mike Mangano, President of ABK Biomedical Inc.; Steve Ellebracht, founding principal of IsoTherapeutics and MU alum; and Dale Klein, former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and MU alum.

I’m also pleased to share that U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt just secured $5 million for MURR research and projects related to national security. This is an outstanding show of support for nuclear innovation at Mizzou and builds on our strong recent momentum, including a $40 million partnership between Mizzou, the State of Missouri and the U.S. Department of Energy to construct the Radioisotope Science Center near the future home of NextGen MURR.

These innovative partnerships with leaders in government and industry reflect the growing demand for the radioisotopes created at MURR. We’re proud to support the dedicated MURR team who work around the clock to support the health of our nation and create new opportunities for investment in Missouri. 

— Mun