SSTI Digest

On the heels of a report from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) urging reform for interdisciplinary research, Congress gave its final approval of a bill designed to effectively promote collaborative research among universities and the public and private sectors. The Cooperative Research and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) Act of 2004 would allow the government to approve patent applications of inventions that have been made collaboratively among multiple organizations (see the June 28, 2004 issue of the Digest). The bill currently awaits the signature of President Bush. The NAS report, Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research, states that hiring policies, promotion, tenure and resource allocation that favor traditional disciplines all impede interdisciplinary research at many institutions. The report identifies steps individuals and institutions can take to enable interdisciplinary programs to be conducted and evaluated more effectively. Suggestions for reform are provided for everyone who plays a key role in the research process, including students, postdoctoral scholars,…

Michelle Bauer, executive director of the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, announced she will resign from her position in early 2005. Jeff Edwards recently was named interim president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Utah (EDCU). Edwards replaces Christopher Roybal, who will serve as the senior adviser for economic development for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., starting next year. David Gibson, chief business officer of The Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity in Montana, has accepted a new position as associate commissioner for economic development. Beginning Jan. 3, Gibson will serve under Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns. Dr. John Reed, president and CEO of The Burnham Institute, was appointed to the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee that will govern the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine created last month. Patrick Tam resigned last month as executive director of the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute.

Michelle Bauer, executive director of the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, announced she will resign from her position in early 2005.

Jeff Edwards recently was named interim president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Utah (EDCU). Edwards replaces Christopher Roybal, who will serve as the senior adviser for economic development for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., starting next year.

David Gibson, chief business officer of The Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity in Montana, has accepted a new position as associate commissioner for economic development. Beginning Jan. 3, Gibson will serve under Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns.

Dr. John Reed, president and CEO of The Burnham Institute, was appointed to the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee that will govern the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine created last month.

Patrick Tam resigned last month as executive director of the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute.

Chief Executive Officer Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology The Oklahoma Science & Technology Research and Development (OSTRaD) Board is accepting applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology and the Oklahoma Institute of Technology. The CEO also serves as the Executive Director of the OSTRaD Board. Candidates are sought who have an education in an appropriate field and substantial managerial experience in developing and managing research and technology development programs. Preference will be given to candidates who have an earned degree, preferably doctorate, in a field of science or engineering. Applications are due by Feb. 28, 2005. Associate Vice President for Economic Development University of Massachusetts (UMASS) System The President’s Office of the five-campus UMASS system is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial professional to help promote collaboration among the five campuses, private universities and industry. The focus of…

The omnibus appropriations bill approved by Congress over the weekend provides $109 million in fiscal year 2005 funds to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, according to the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC). Of the total, $3 million is directed to help small and rural states advance outreach to manufacturers, ASMC states in its most recent legislative update. MEP, a state-federal partnership under the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology, provides technical assistance, support services, engineering services, and business advice to small manufacturers. The legislation also renames the initiative the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program in honor of Senator Fritz Hollings, the South Carolina legislator who first sponsored MEP and is retiring after 38 years. The more than 300 centers in the MEP network also are renamed the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Centers. In addition, the conference report for the bill also prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from recompeting any center prior to 2007, ASMC says. After an across-the-board 0.…

Just as SSTI and other post-election analysts predicted, California’s recent passage of a $3 billion commitment to stem cell research is triggering responses from across the country. Wisconsin is the first to outline a specific, strategic reaction to the California referendum in an effort to retain or regain momentum in the race to encourage bio-based economic growth. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced last week his plans to invest nearly $750 million in state funds to support biotechnology, health sciences and stem cell research. According to Gov. Doyle, the two states are not in competition; rather, he suspects there will be a synergy between them. "Wisconsin can’t match California dollar for dollar, but California can’t match what Wisconsin already has - including the best scientists in the world and first class research institutions," Gov. Doyle said. The Wisconsin strategy re-emphasizes several elements of the “Grow Wisconsin” plan (see the Sept. 19, 2003 issue of the Digest) and legislation passed last year to increase venture capital investments. Key, new elements include…

West Virginia University’s plan to develop strong research capabilities in a number of focused areas, creating hundreds of new jobs, may be completed in half the time originally anticipated. Gov. Bob Wise announced last week a $24.4 million funding package to jump-start the implementation of new research facilities and laboratories on the WVU campus. In addition to building new research infrastructure, funds will allow the university to attract and recruit top researchers, leading to increased federal and private sector funding, said Robert D’Alessandri, vice president of health sciences. The plan includes a new laboratory at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, new neuroscience laboratories, and research space at the new Health Sciences Library. Originally scheduled for completion in 12 years, officials are now hoping the up-front financing will enable them to complete most of the facilities within the next 6-8 years. Specialized research will be focused in the areas of health and biosciences, including neurosciences, cancer and heart disease. According to the governor’s office, up to…

Gov. Jodi Rell recently announced the results of a study of the strengths and weaknesses of Connecticut’s infrastructure for innovation, technology transfer and development of new businesses. A report prepared for the Connecticut Technology Transfer and Commercialization Advisory Board of the governor's Competitiveness Council presents the results. The report examines successful university-based technology transfer and commercialization initiatives in the U.S. and at the University of Cambridge in England. It notes five factors that could help states position their universities as centers of innovation and business growth: strong academic leadership and research capabilities, availability of early-stage capital, commitment to and support of entrepreneurship programs, and the existence of infrastructure such as innovation centers, incubators and research parks. While Connecticut is home to renowned universities such as Yale University and the University of Connecticut and ranks high in patents generated, the report finds, the state has a relative lack of early-stage capital and incubation space…