Southern Research Institute

Southern Research is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) research organization that conducts basic and applied research for commercial and non-commercial organizations across four divisions: Drug Development, Drug Discovery, Energy & Environment, and Engineering.

Southern Research was founded in Birmingham, AL on October 11, 1941 by Thomas Martin as the Alabama Research Institute.

Although Martin was named chairman of the newly chartered organization in December, 1941, activities were put on hold in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and the beginning of US involvement in World War II. Two years later, in December 1943, with a promise of support from the Alabama Power Company, Martin reengaged the Alabama's industrial leaders and received over $100,000 in philanthropic donations.

Alabama Power Company pledged an additional $15,000 per year for five years, $75,000 total, and this was enough for the organization to finance laboratory space and hire researchers and staff. The following year, 1944, the decision was made to change the institute's name from Alabama Research Institute, to Southern Research Institute.

Around this same time, Southern Research Institute hired its first director, Wilbur Lazier. Though he only stayed in this role for four years, Lazier is credited with recruiting many figures that shaped the history of the organization, including Howard E. Skipper.

Southern Research celebrated its 75th Anniversary in October, 2016. In celebration of this milestone the director of National Institutes of Health (NIH), Francis Collins, produced a video congratulating the organization on its anniversary.

Arthur J. Tipton is the president and CEO of Southern Research. Previously, he worked in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries for 25 years. From 1993 to 2004, Tipton held roles of increasing responsibility at Durect Corporation, including that of senior vice president of biodegradable systems, chief operating officer, vice president of Southern BioSystems, and president of Birmingham Polymers. In 2013, Arthur J. Tipton, CEO of Southern Research was inducted as a fellow into the National Academy of Inventors.

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