Last week, I joined National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan at events with Indiana University, Purdue University, and the University of Notre Dame.

Director Panchanathan is an incredibly talented and innovative leader, and we were honored to host him in the Hoosier state. As he saw firsthand, big things are happening in the heartland of Indiana. We are proud of the exciting ways IU, Purdue, and Notre Dame are contributing to our economic and national security and preparing students to work in critical technology fields.

On Wednesday, we visited with IU President Pamela Whitten and top research faculty to discuss IU’s investment in biosciences at IU-Indy and the school’s novel approach of tying biosciences to informatics and engineering. We also talked about IU’s approach to research security and protecting sensitive research from theft by foreign adversaries.

On Thursday, we visited Purdue University and joined Purdue President Mung Chiang to cut the ribbon on new groundbreaking enhancements to the Birck Nanotechnology Center in Purdue’s Discovery Park District. We toured the facility and spoke with students and faculty about the importance of U.S. semiconductor research and Purdue’s role in educating highly-trained workers. Director Panchanathan, President Chiang, and I also participated in a Presidential Lecture Series event.

Later on Thursday, Director Panchanathan and I visited the University of Notre Dame. In addition to discussions with students and faculty, we met with NSF CAREER awardees and learned more about the SpectrumX Center, an NSF-funded academic hub led by Notre Dame. 

Read more about Director Panchanathan’s visit here.

Google Invests in Northeast Indiana

Last week, I attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Google's new $2 billion data center in Fort Wayne and heard about additional investments the company is making in northeast Indiana, including a new skills-based training program with Ivy Tech Community College.

Accelerating the Development of Fusion Energy

Fusion energy has the potential to produce abundant clean energy without harmful side effects like carbon emissions or long-lived radioactive waste. 

I joined a bipartisan group to introduce the Fusion Energy Act to accelerate the development of commercial fusion technology. This bill would codify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) regulatory authority over commercial fusion energy systems to streamline the creation of clear federal regulations to support the development of commercial production facilities.

Last month, the NRC voted to separate the regulatory frameworks of fusion and fission energy and create a unique regulatory framework for fusion energy. The Fusion Energy Act would ensure the development of a clear regulatory framework to improve the research and development of fusion capabilities.

Click here to read more about this legislation.

I enjoyed welcoming students from Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg on their recent trip to Washington.

Local News

WSBT: Senator Todd Young on impact of innovation legislation and research funding

Notre Dame Observer: ‘Rapid advancements in every realm’: Sen. Todd Young discusses AI

WOWO: Google Invests $2 Billion in Fort Wayne Data Center Expansion

WANE: ‘Historic day’: Google’s $2 billion data center campus to partner with I&M, Ivy Tech

Star City News: All (micro)Chips In: Purdue continues investments in nanotechnology

Ripon Advance: Young intros bipartisan Fusion Energy Act

Thank you for the continued privilege to serve you in the U.S. Senate. My mission is to fight on behalf of Hoosiers and the interests that are unique to our state. I look forward to working with you, and sharing our progress, in the days ahead. 

In Service,