Improving the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations.
Researchers statewide are driving a substantial increase in research funding from the National Institutes of Health, gaining mileage toward a vital milepost set out in Arizona's Bioscience Roadmap. Ranu Jung and Jimmy Abbas are bioengineers at Arizona State University who have won more than $4 million in grants in the past few months. Ed and James Koeneman are the founders of Kinetic Muscles Inc. (KMI), a medical-device company that has helped bring more than $3 million into the state.
The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust pledged $50 million to recruit to Arizona ten scientists who are leaders in the field of personalized medicine. This represents Piper's largest commitment since it began awarding grants five years ago.
Gov. Janet Napolitano announced at her 2006 State of the State address the creation of a public-private partnership to boost Arizona's science and technology sectors, including the biosciences. Napolitano requested $25 million in state dollars in her FY 2007 budget to fund the effort.
Arizona's drive to become a national player in the emerging biosciences sector received a boost with the formation of a partnership of statewide business and science leaders. The coalition was developed throughout 2005 to help implement Arizona's Bioscience Roadmap, the state's long-term plan to become nationally competitive in the biosciences.
About 5,000 jobs for technicians will open up in the Valley over the next few years, challenging businesses and educational institutions to boost efforts to train and retain qualified workers.