Leadership Visit to Manchester Highlights Benefits of Partnerships in the Community, On Campus
A recent visit by UNH President Elizabeth Chilton and university leadership to two key Manchester partners — United Therapeutics and Eversource Energy — highlighted how university-industry collaboration translates into breakthrough research, workforce training, and measurable reductions in campus carbon emissions.
Regenerative medicine in the Millyard
United Therapeutics, a biotech company developing technologies for rare conditions and organ transplantation, is a cornerstone tenant in UNH’s . The center serves as a hub for applied learning, housing biotech degree programs, faculty research space, and a wet-lab incubator for startups.
Mike Decelle, Stephen Arold, Elizabeth Chilton, Jen Riley, and Kristen Johnson.
During a tour of the company’s Millyard facility, leaders visited laboratory space where more than 60 scientists and professionals support the Organ Manufacturing Group. Using advanced 3D-printing techniques, the team aims to produce transplantable organs. UNH leaders noted that this proximity to the Manchester campus creates unique opportunities for students and faculty to work side-by-side with industry experts in an emerging life-sciences sector.
“Seeing the breakthroughs being pioneered right here in the Manchester Millyard is inspiring. Our goal is to keep growing these partnerships, creating more spaces where our students and faculty can work directly with industry leaders to address real-world challenges,” says Jen Riley, UNH provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Stephen Arold, senior director, cell production and process development at United Therapeutics adds: “Our Manchester site is at the forefront of regenerative medicine, and having UNH as a partner provides the talent and innovation resources to push the boundaries of discovery. This collaboration doesn't just benefit our scientists; it supports our work to eventually provide life-saving solutions for patients needing organ transplants.”
Energy savings — and a new net-zero target
The UNH delegation also visited Eversource Energy’s New Hampshire headquarters. As the state’s largest energy delivery company, Eversource employs nearly 1,500 people statewide, including roughly 90 UNH alumni. A panel of recent graduates shared how their classroom experiences at UNH launched their careers, demonstrating the strength of the university’s workforce pipeline.
Eversource leaders discussed expanding this collaboration through broader student pathways and new energy-efficiency projects. The group reviewed a first-in-the-state initiative to increase efficiency across campus, which has already reduced energy purchases by an estimated 3% to 4% and cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1,100 tons. Looking ahead, Eversource and the university plan to partner to make the NOAA Center of Excellence the first net-zero-ready facility on campus.
“These partnerships are how UNH delivers a direct impact to our state. Whether we are reducing campus emissions through smarter energy use or building talent pipelines with employers like Eversource, we are working together to strengthen New Hampshire’s future,” says Chilton.
“We’re proud of our longstanding partnership with UNH and our shared focus on innovative solutions to help position our state, communities, residents and businesses for success now and into the future,” says Eversource President of New Hampshire Electric Operations Bob Coates. “Our work together on energy efficiency has delivered tangible, cost-effective results in reducing energy usage while helping maintain a comfortable, cutting-edge learning environment for students, and we’re excited to take the next step by helping the NOAA Center of Excellence reach net-zero-ready status. Importantly, we also rely on a strong pipeline of highly skilled UNH alumni to help drive our work in building a more reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future for our customers and region.”
University leaders emphasized that these Manchester visits are part of a broader effort to expand industry partnerships and further state that by accelerating innovation and creating clearer pathways from the classroom to a career, UNH continues to serve as a primary driver for the New Hampshire economy.
UNH alumni employed at Eversource Energy are joined by Bob Coates of Eversource, UNH President Elizabeth Chilton, UNH Provost Jen Riley and Mike Decelle, dean of UNH's College of Professional Studies.