Science Coalition celebrates 10th anniversary

he Science Coalition, an organization with more than 400 member groups, including the University, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. The group works to expand the federal government’s investment in university-based research across a wide range of disciplines. Among its partners are public and private universities as well as health organizations and scientific societies.

Peter Robinson, vice president and chief operating officer for the Medical Center, says it is important to acknowledge the organization’s success in working with Congress and with past and current administrations to strengthen federal support for university research.

“Certainly, our record of excellence and achievements as one of the great academic institutions in the world today is directly linked to the amount of federal funding we receive for university research,” says Robinson. “These investments have a direct impact on job creation, help stimulate innovations that fuel the region’s high-technology and biotechnology commercial sectors, add to the area’s rich cultural resources and affect the overall health of our community.

“In the years to come, as our manufacturing-based economy continues to transition to one that is knowledge-based and increasingly focused on such fields as biotechnology, biomedicine, infotonics, and alternative energy, the Science Coalition’s efforts will take on greater significance as federal investments in cutting-edge scientific research will dictate our nation’s economic position in the 21st century and our way of life. We are proud to partner with the coalition and look forward to doing so for many more years.”