AbbVie innovation center opens at the University of Illinois-Urbana Research Park

The AbbVie Innovation Center plans to employ more than 18 students, from undergraduate to graduate level, on a part-time basis throughout the year. Eight students have started working on several AbbVie Research & Development Information Technology projects, which is the initial focus of work in the AbbVie Innovation Center. AbbVie is currently hiring for several open positions.

"At AbbVie, we know that advancing science requires strong collaboration and different ways of working. Establishing this innovative and collaborative work center at a world-class research university offers us access to top students and faculty who can help us explore new ideas," said Mike Carlin, Vice President, R&D Information Technology, AbbVie.

"The AbbVie Innovation Center is a great example of how AbbVie is partnering in unique ways to find new solutions that will have an impact for patients."

Students will work on real-world projects ranging from utilizing visualization software which can help AbbVie scientists see clinical trial research data in new ways, to harnessing the power of reporting tools which helps AbbVie medical teams identify additional areas of research, to using informatics, text mining and other analytics software to uncover connections in medical research – all of which can lead to discoveries that will improve patient care.

While students will gain real-world professional experience by working directly with AbbVie project managers, an AbbVie Site Manager will manage the students and serve as liaison between the AbbVie Innovation Center and the University of Illinois.

"The AbbVie Innovation Center will give our students the opportunity to be at the forefront of information technologies for leading-edge therapies that can make a difference in people’s lives," said Chancellor Phyllis Wise.

"Such real-world experiences are examples of the transformative educational opportunities at Illinois that grow from our leadership in engineering, big data, and biomedical sciences."

The Research Park, located on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign, provides an opportunity for technology-based businesses to collaborate with students and faculty. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s College of Engineering is among the highest ranked in the nation, and is a highly sought after partner for pursuing the integration of engineering, computing, and medicine.