As part of the Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative, the U. hired experts on high-speed wireless communication, computer analysis of medical images and underground storage of carbon dioxide gas to combat global warming and extract oil. All join the College of Engineering faculty.

The initiative, started last year, was designed to create high-tech jobs in the state by bringing renowned research teams to the U. and Utah State University to develop products that can be turned into new businesses.

U. President Michael Young said the initiative ''will help the bigger community understand the differing roles of universities in the state.''

Young said the U. is considered one of 95 "very high research universities" in the country, and he looks forward to the connection between the U. and the business community.

The three new hires will focus on different areas of innovation.

Cameron Charles, who started work Jan. 1 as an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, will concentrate on creating faster Internet connections that will improve data transmission speed and use less power than current systems.

Guido Gerig, who will start July 1 as a professor of computer science and member of the university's Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, will help improve brain imaging to combat degenerative neurological diseases and mental disorders including schizophrenia, autism, fragile X syndrome, chronic depression and Parkinson's disease.

Brian McPherson joined the university in August as an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and manager of the new Carbon Management Group at the university's Energy and Geoscience Institute. He will find ways to trap carbon dioxide underground in order to slow global warming and to push out hard-to-find oil in places such as the Uinta Basin.

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* SHEENA MCFARLAND can be contacted at smcfarland@sltrib.com or 801-257-8619.