SALT LAKE CITY -- During an interim session later this month, the state senate will vote on eight nominees for the new Utah Science Technology and Research Board.

The board was created by the Legislature this year to oversee the commercialization of technology at Utah's two public research universities.

On Thursday, Gov. Jon Huntsman nominated Scott Anderson, president of Zions First National Bank, Hunter Jackson, chief executive officer of NPS Pharmaceuticals, and Cathy Petti, medical director of ARUP Laboratories' infectious disease lab.

USTAR provides funding for research personnel and facilities at the University of Utah and Utah State University in the hope that research will create new technologies, jobs and spin-off companies.

"USTAR represents the future of Utah's economy and our long-term commitment to capturing our unique competitive advantages as a state," Huntsman said in a news release. "This board truly represents the finest professionals available to implement this important initiative."

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, nominated Brigham Young University professor Dan Olsen, who has been a leader in researching human-robot interaction. Valentine also nominated Dinesh Patel, a former trustee for Utah State University who is a founding partner of vSpring Capital and has founded other biotechnology companies.

House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, nominated Charlie Precourt, a former astronaut who is now vice president of ATK Launch Systems Group. Curtis also nominated Jack Sunderlage, president of Contentwatch, a provider of Internet management software.

Commissioner of Higher Education Richard Kendell nominated Jim Dreyfous, co-founder of the venture capital firm UV Partners.

The Senate will likely approve these nominees during a June 21 interim session.

The bill also named the state treasurer, Ed Alter, as the ninth member of the USTAR governing authority.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D6.