R.I. Invests $1.5M in Collaborative Research; 32 Scientists, 15 Institutions Receive Funding for Collaborative Projects.

Rhode Island Steps Up R&D Game with Competitive Research Awards

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) today announced the first round of recipients for its Rhode Island Research Alliance Collaborative Research Award program. The awards will provide direct support to 32 scientists from 15 research organizations across Rhode Island. The program is part of a $1.5 million effort to grow R&D capacity in the state, address critical problems of Rhode Islanders, and spur economic development.

Winners include academic and industry scientists pursuing projects in medicine, engineering, chemistry, biology, oceanography and environmental science. Priority was given to high-impact projects that are collaborative across Rhode Island institutions and well positioned to receive follow-on funding, particularly from federal agencies. Those with significant technology development and commercialization potential were also encouraged.

Awardees include:

* A project to use virtual reality to improve the design of prosthetic limbs,

* An effort to understand how radiation therapy causes permanent injury in patients with testicular cancer and develop less harmful treatments,

* The development of high-tech toys to aid children with diseases like cerebral palsy,

* The acquisition of equipment that enables Rhode Island scientists to better study proteins and their role in disease,

* An effort to modify plant fibers to enhance their commercial value and use in products such as biofuels,

* The development of new marine-based drugs to fight a common and deadly hospital infection,

* A project to develop computer software to identify materials found in fire debris that can be used to improve forensic investigations,

* And, an academic-industry partnership to showcase how multiple types of robotic or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) can be integrated for real-time ocean observation and analysis.

Winning teams include scientists from Afferent Corporation, Applied Science Associates, Inc., Bay Computer Associates, Brown University, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Ion Signature Technology, Providence VA Medical Center, Rhode Island College, Rhode Island Hospital, Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island State Crime Lab, Salve Regina University, SubChem Systems, WET Labs, Inc., and the University of Rhode Island.

"Whether it's using virtual reality to improve the design of prosthetic limbs, whether it's developing high-tech toys to assist children with diseases like diabetes, or whether it's modifying plant fibers to enhance their use in products such as biofuels, these projects will enhance the quality of life in our state and in our nation," stated Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri. "This is about supporting world-class research. It's about investing in an innovation economy and growing higher wage jobs for Rhode Islanders."

In 2006, STAC urged state lawmakers to advance the state's research and development platform by promoting collaboration across the state's research institutions. In response to this recommendation, state leaders approved $1,500,000 in state funding to create the Rhode Island Research Alliance and directly fund collaborative research projects across the state's academic and commercial research organizations.

"With the legislative action last year, we took a great step forward as a state, providing our leaders with an agenda for the 21st century workplace driven by science and technology," stated House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox. "With the award of these grants, we take another step forward. Rhode Island is helping to pave that path to a brighter future for all our citizens in the fields of science and technology."

To administer the Collaborative Research Award program, STAC adopted a competitive application process similar to that used by the National Science Foundation. Applications were evaluated by peer reviewers--scientific experts familiar with a proposal's area of focus--and a subcommittee of STAC members appointed by STAC co-chairs Jeff Seemann and Clyde Briant.

Rhode Island's research community showed great enthusiasm for the program. STAC received 45 proposals requesting a total of more than $7.1 million in support from researchers at eight Rhode Island higher education institutions, six hospitals and 17 private companies.

Senator William A. Walaska, Chairman of the Senate Corporations Committee and Senate sponsor of the package of STAC legislation promoting investments in research and development in the 2006 legislative session, observed, "Our investment in science and technology is becoming more and more important as we shift to a knowledge-based economy. It plays a critical role in our ability to attract good jobs to Rhode Island. By the same token, the availability of these job opportunities helps to keep an educated, talented workforce in the state."

Rhode Island is especially well positioned to capitalize on research endeavors that build on current momentum and create stronger connections across the state's public and private research institutions.

The Rhode Island Research Alliance was created in 2006 to build a powerful platform for maximizing the effect of the state's research investment, strengthening Rhode Island's ability to compete for additional federal research dollars, and creating opportunities for new companies and jobs.

In its 2007 recommendation, STAC has requested that this program be continued in FY 2008.

For more information about STAC, please visit www.stac.ri.gov.