Based in The Research Triangle Park, The Triangle Area Research Directors Council (TARDC) is an organization comprised of a broad cross section of industry, academia, and government, representing the region’s cutting-edge discovery and innovation.
The membership coalition of scientific leaders representing organizations in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina meet monthly to discuss subjects of interest to the research community. Founded in 1974 by George Herbert (then President of RTI International) to promote cooperation in basic research and to stimulate scientific thought, TARDC seeks to influence and advocate for the advancement of research, technology and science through discussions that foster cross‐fertilization between the various scientific disciplines.
Although TARDC's mission is to provide a venue for the presentation of research-related topics to the group, the true purpose is to stimulate scientific thought and introduce an element of cross-fertilization between the various disciplines represented. Members are from a very broad spectrum of institutions ranging from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and the National Humanities Center to the region’s research universities. TARDC speakers over the past few years include Chancellor Holden Thorpe, Nobel Laureate Oliver Smithies, and leading scientists such as Dr. Anthony Atala who works in regenerative medicine at Wake Forest University, as well as our current governor, Beverly Perdue.
Membership
Individuals should be in a leadership position in scientific research, development, or advanced engineering or have demonstrated prior leadership in such positions. Members must work to contribute to the mission of the Council.
Annual TARDC membership is $275.
Included in your annual TARDC membership:
- Registration to all TARDC luncheon meetings, with the option to send a delegate or representative;
- Ability to bring up to two guests to TARDC luncheon meetings during the program year;
- Electronic access to presentations delivered at TARDC programs;
- Access to the TARDC directory of members and contact information;
- And, the unique opportunity to belong to a highly respected community of research and scientific leaders in the Research Triangle region.
Become a member: Membership Application
Organization
Governance is by way of an elected Executive Committee consisting of the Chairperson, the Chairperson-Elect, immediate past Chairperson, and the Secretary-Treasurer.
2011-2012 Executive Committee
- Ms. Eliza Robertson, National Humanities Center- Chair
- Dr. Bob Koger, Advanced Energy - Immediate Past Chair
- Dr. Herb Segal - Incoming Chair
- Ms. Elizabeth Hardin - Secretary/Treasurer
Past Programs and Speakers
- Congressman David Price, North Carolina: “Perspective on the New Congress and Administration”
- Dr. Peter Agre, Vice Chancellor for Science and Technology, Duke University: “Adventures in RTP Area Science”
- Dr. Agre shared the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery of aquaporins
- Mr. Matthew Szulik, President, Red Hat Software: “Open Minds - Open Source”
- Dr. Marye Anne Fox, Chancellor, NC State University: “The Commissionon the Future of NC State University”
- Dr. Charles Hamner, President, NC Biotechnology Center: “Biotechnology’s Role in an Ever-changing World”
- Chancellor James Ammons, North Carolina Central University: “The Present and Future of North Carolina Central University”
- Governor Beverly Perdue, North Carolina: “BRAC 2005 and the Impact of the Military on North Carolina