Governor Has Been Focused on the 'Meds and Eds,' Spoke of Brain Science Potential at Providence Chamber Annual Meeting in November
Providence, RI - Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today said he looks forward to working with the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce to capitalize on Rhode Island's strength in the 'meds and eds' to make Providence a national center for advanced brain research.
"During the campaign for Governor and since taking office, I have been consistently focused on using Rhode Island's strengths in the 'meds and eds' to our strategic advantage," Governor Chafee said. "I spoke at length about the potential to build on these assets – particularly in the area of brain science – at the Providence Chamber's annual meeting this past November. I am pleased that Laurie White and the Chamber appear to have been listening, and I look forward to working collaboratively with them on this front to grow our state's economy."
Chamber President Laurie White proposed at yesterday's Rhode Island Senate forum on the economy that Providence should work to become a brain-science hub. Governor Chafee today noted that in his November 19 remarks at the Chamber's annual meeting, he had spoken extensively of the potential of the 'meds and eds' generally and brain research specifically.
"I would like to highlight one specific area within medical research where Rhode Island can be a national leader. That is the 'new frontier' of brain science," Governor Chafee said in his remarks before the Chamber. The Governor noted his participation in the opening of the Veterans Administration Center of Excellence for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology and pointed to Brown researcher Dr. John Donoghue's Braingate project.
"Providence and Rhode Island have the foundation to build upon," the Governor also said in his remarks.
Since taking office, Governor Chafee has organized and led a number of fact-finding trips to cities across the country that have successfully developed urban areas centered around educational institutions and the medical, research, and life-sciences industries. Laurie White accompanied the Governor on the fact-finding trip to Baltimore's University of Maryland Medical Center, while Chamber Board Chairman Jon Duffy participated in the Governor's visit to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.