Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions

Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions
Formation May 2005
Headquarters Tampa, FL, United States
Website www.patelcenter.usf.edu www.usf.edu

The Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions is a solutions-oriented research center based at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. The Patel Center's main goals are to identify challenges in the developing world and find viable solutions to those problems; particularly issues related to potable water and sanitation, urbanization and migration, and sustainable activities.

About the Patel Center

Founded in May 2005 through a donation from Drs. Kiran C. and Pallavi Patel, the Patel Center for Global Solutions brings together faculty, staff, and students from USF to facilitate the development of new research and technologies in pursuit of its Strategic Plan. Although also a research institution, the Patel Center aims to transfer theory, advice, and technologies into on-the-ground realities. Through partnerships with various groups, including industry, governments, international aid organizations and private and public foundations, the Patel Center is able to catalyze the development and application of solutions.[1]

The Founders

The Patel Center for Global Solutions was created through a charitable donation from Dr. Kiran C. Patel, a cardiologist based in Tampa, FL, and Dr. Pallavi Patel, a pediatrician also based in Tampa. The donation is among the largest ever to the University of South Florida.[2] The Patels contributed US$5 million to provide for a new facility for the Patel Center. The Patel donation is matched with US$5 million from the state of Florida.

Executive Director

On January 2007, Betty Castor, former President of the University of South Florida, became the new Executive Director of the Patel Center for Global Solutions.[3] Betty Castor's main responsibilities include overseeing all aspects of the Patel Center—including facilitating the execution of the Center's Strategic Plan, as well as overseeing the construction of a new building for the Patel Center.[4]

In June 2009, Betty Castor resigned as Executive Director of the Patel Center. Dr. Donna Petersen was named the interim Executive Director in August 2009.

Strategic Plan

Adopted in 2006, the Strategic Plan outlines the Patel Center's role in contributing solutions to the natural, social, and economic environments.[5]

Vision

The Patel Center will be known for its support of distinguished research and educational programs that promote sustainable, healthy communities in a globalizing world.

Mission

The Patel Center promotes and supports nonpartisan, independent applied research that leads to the discovery, dissemination, and application of new knowledge about the sources of, and solutions to problems of global concern; and educational programs for training future leaders and for expanding public awareness about global concerns.

Natural Environment

The Patel Center will initially contribute towards solutions to problems in the natural environment related to potable water and sanitation systems.

Social Environment

The Patel Center will contribute solutions to problems in the social environment through its research networks of expertise related to urbanization and migration.

Economic Environment

The Patel Center will contribute solutions to problems related to the economic environment by relying on and developing its research networks on sustainable economic activities.

Patel Fellows

On November 2007, the Patel Center announced its group of inaugural Patel Fellows. Each Patel Fellow, a member of the University of South Florida staff, receives a stipend of $15,000 to support research projects related to the Patel Center's work. For its inaugural year, seven Patel Fellows were selected:[6]

Elizabeth Barnett, Ph.D., Epidemiology focuses on the impact of economic development and disparities on African American health. Her fellowship will help extend investigations into cardiovascular health in the Caribbean. Her findings have the potential for wide applicability to other developing nations undergoing rapid economic transformation.

Michael Barnett, Ph.D., Management & Organization conducts research into sustainable economic activities and the “business case” for corporate social responsibility. He examines relationships between business, government and non-governmental organizations as they relate to sustainability practices and regulatory processes.

Martin Bosman, Ph.D., Geography is an expert on globalization and global city formation especially in the “global south.” His specialty is privatization and natural resource management in Latin America and Caribbean.

Wilbur Milhous, Ph.D., Public Health is concerned with the prevention and treatment of neglected diseases with a special emphasis on malaria. His work is being done in concert with USF’s commitment to develop models and present research findings with local, national and global applications and that guide future solutions and education in Florida and around the world.

Mark Rains, Ph.D., Hydrologic Sciences concentrates on the sustainable use and management of natural resources and ecosystems as well as socially-just economies based on ecotourism. He has most recently worked in the Dominican Republic on a teacher education program in the Caribbean centered on global climate change.

Maya Trotz, Ph.D., Civil & Environmental Engineering works in the areas of potable water and ecotourism. She has been examining quality in natural and engineered water systems with an emphasis on heavy metals. She has worked in Guyana on mercury contamination from mining activities and is taking a class to Guyana in 2008 to work with the Wai Wai people who are seeking to conserve their highly bio-diverse tropical rainforest.

Daniel Yeh, Ph.D., Environmental Engineering specializes in membrane biotechnology as it relates to drinking water and waste water engineering. His research into sustainable sanitation solutions is in response to the global water crisis.

Patel Center facility

Plans are currently underway to build a Patel Center facility on the campus of the University of South Florida.

References

  1. ↑ Patel Center for Global Solutions - About Us
  2. ↑ USF announces single largest gift in university history - Press Release
  3. ↑ "Betty Castor takes the reins at latest Patel Center" Tampa Bay Business Journal
  4. ↑ Betty Castor profile at Patel Center website
  5. ↑ Patel Center Strategic Plan - PDF
  6. ↑ http://www.patelcenter.usf.edu/fellowsrelease.php USF Researchers to Explore Solutions to Global Problems - Press Release
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