Bill Shipp has been promoted to president and general manager of the Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory. Currently laboratory director, Shipp will take his new position August 1. Mr. Shipp also serves as Science & Technology Advisor to Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne.
Jackie Norton, director of the Arizona Department of Commerce for the past five years, has announced she will be leaving the position this summer.
Anita Balachandra, formerly in charge of the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT) in the U.S. Department of Commerce, is now working with the Maryland Technology Development Corp.
SSTI welcomes Anulet Jones to our team as a Research Assistant. Ms. Jones has an engineering degree from Georgia Tech and is working on her MBA at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.
Governor Tom Ridge’s $90 million plan to create a series of life science research/commercialization centers would be the largest, single technology initiative ever proposed in Pennsylvania, according to a recent press release from the Governor's office. The Life Sciences Greenhouse Initiative would be a network of innovation centers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg closely connected to university research activities.
The National Journal’s Technology Daily reported Wednesday that the Senate has approved an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization bill (S.1) that would authorize up to $100 million for the Community Technology Centers program. The amendment, introduced by Senator Barbara Miluski of Maryland and passed by a 50-49 vote, also keeps the popular program within the Department of Education.
With the National Conference of State Legislatures saying 23 states already feel the pinch of a slowing economy and large state tax cuts made during the late 1990s, at least one group says the situation will only worsen with the pending federal tax cut. Basing its analysis of the President's original tax cut proposal, Citizens for Tax Justice estimates states stand to lose potentially $35 billion dollars a year in revenues by 2012.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions: Fiscal Year 1999 (NSF 01-323). The data presented in the 33 tables cover all categories of direct federal science and engineering (S&E) support to institutions of higher education in the United States. The 18 agencies listed in these tables provide virtually all of the Federal funding for S&E research and development (R&D) at U.S.
Lewis Branscomb, one of the leading voices in science and technology policy, and Harold E. Varmus, former director of the National Institutes of Health and a Nobel prize holder for contributions to understanding the mechanisms of cancer, will receive the Vannevar Bush Award for lifetime achievement in science and public service from the National Science Board (NSB) on May 23.
Lewis Branscomb, one of the leading voices in science and technology policy, and Harold E. Varmus, former director of the National Institutes of Health and a Nobel prize holder for contributions to understanding the mechanisms of cancer, will receive the Vannevar Bush Award for lifetime achievement in science and public service from the National Science Board (NSB) on May 23.
Joseph Hammang, currently vice president for science, technology and business development at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp., has accepted a position with the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council to run the Samuel Slater Technology Fund and six Slater Centers. Mr. Hammang will remain the Governor's Advisor for Science and Technology.
In March, the North Dakota Department of Economic Development and Finance (ED&F) named Jim Hirsch director of workforce development.
Ann Rydalch has been elected to serve as chair of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Ms. Rydalch works for at the Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Lab. Outgoing chair C. Dan Brand will be retiring this summer.
Christopher Anderson has been promoted to become president of the Massachusetts High Technology Council. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Anderson served as vice president and general counsel to the organization.
SSTI welcomes Mark Kish to the staff as our new Writer/PR Assistant. Mark will assist with the SSTI Weekly Digest, updating and expanding our website, and planning for our September 19-21 annual conference.
Industrial research expenditures in the U.S. had a record single-year decline in 2002, according to the latest National Science Foundation (NSF) Survey of Industrial Research and Development. An inflation-adjusted decline of $8.6 billion was the largest-ever reported since the survey began in 1953. The 2002 tally, when measured in current dollars, also wins the ignoble distinction of reflecting the largest single-year absolute and percentage reduction at $7.7 billion and 3.9 percent, respectively.
One of the most critical elements needed for a tech-based economy is a strong higher education system that supplies a source of research ideas, new technologies and a skilled workforce. Studies have shown that individuals with college degrees earn more money, obtain better jobs, pay more taxes, and are more apt to perform volunteer work. Given higher education's important role, several states have been re-examining how higher education can play a larger role in their economy.
To encourage innovation in health care and speed the development of new medical technologies, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last week it is forming an internal task force to weigh new ideas and promote new solutions.
Advocates for deregulating Kentucky's broadband industry argued doing so would result in increased rural access to high speed Internet services. They'll have the chance to prove it with Gov. Ernie Fletcher's signature this week on deregulation legislation, HB 627.
Financial success for any start-up tech firm more often depends on adequate financing and proper management than the specific technology, experts say. Two tech-based economic development organizations in Pittsburgh have formed a new alliance to offer entrepreneurial life science firms with an eye toward greater sustainability and profitability.
Concerns for wheat and organic markets remain, however
While state governments across the country are overwhelmingly in favor of health-related biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology has received a somewhat less enthusiastic reception. That may be changing - however slowly - according to new information released last week by the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology.
Defense 2003 SBIR Phase II Awards
The Department of Defense (DoD) distributed $766.9 million in awards under fiscal year 2003 Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program competition. A total of 1,080 awards averaging more than $710,000 were made.
A wide range of research and tech-based economic development bills were approved by the Arkansas legislature, which ended its legislative session in mid-April. With proposals and support coming both from Republican Governor Huckabee and the heavily Democratic legislature, Arkansas is the latest state to demonstrate broad bipartisan support for investing in science and technology.