SURA Mission

SURA's goals are to foster excellence in scientific research, to strengthen the scientific and technical capabilities of the nation and of the Southeast, and to provide outstanding training opportunities for the next generation of scientists and engineers.

“As SURA has grown, our focus has widened,” notes Jerry Draayer, SURA President and CEO. “SURA’s 21st century mission is to nurture scientific discovery and grow the scientific capacity of our region and the nation.”

Once confined to the southeast, SURA’s successes at JLab and with its IT and Coastal programs have allowed the organization to open its doors to institutions outside the South. “Our role has grown from regional to national. We’re looking at other research opportunities, thinking about the next step. New things are coming across the transom and we intend to be involved,” notes George Washington University’s Don Lehman. As technology improves, the economy changes, and the world situation fluctuates, SURA’s strategic vision in its three primary areas — nuclear physics, information technology, and coastal research — builds collaborations supporting strong science programs.