STAR Park’s Stephen Frayser honored by association of university research parks

Stephen Frayser, executive director of STAR Park at Texas State University, was honored with the AURP Appreciation Award at the 2022 Association of University Research Parks International Conference.

The award goes to an individual who has, through the course of his or her career, made a significant contribution to the advancement and recognition of the industry. Frayser has served on the AURP Board of Directors' Executive Committee including officer seats of treasurer and secretary. 

“I am humbled by the recognition given by a group of the brightest and most engaged professionals in any industry. My commitment over the years was a reflection of the passion they bring every day to their mission, and it was a privilege to be of service,” Frayser said.

Frayser has headed up the 58-acre Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) park since 2012. The incubator program at STAR One is designed to foster the collaborative development of new commercial ventures in applied research. This building hosts "spin-offs" from research conducted and intellectual property generated by university faculty, and "spin-ins" from companies outside the institution that want to strategically work with the university.

In 2017, Frayser was appointed co-director of the Materials Applications Research Center (MARC), a university-level innovation center.  

Since 2014, companies located in STAR One have created approximately 100 jobs, funded over $2.7 million in university research, hired more than 18 Texas State graduates, and raised more than $44 million through equity and strategic alliance investments.

AURP is a nonprofit international organization that focuses on creating communities of innovation and education for research parks both operating and planned, plus innovation districts, incubators, accelerators and the businesses that support the research park industry.

The AURP International Conference annually brings together more than 200 research park and innovation district leaders from around the world for high-impact knowledge exchange and networking with the industry's premier experts and leaders. This year's conference was held at Greater Toronto's MaRS Discovery District.