Dr. Alan Dittrich (r), president of the Massachusetts Society for Medical Research, presents a plaque of recognition to Representative Dennis Bosley (D: 1st Berkshire) at the representative’s office in North Adams. Representative Bosley was instrumental in the legislature’s creation of Massachusetts Biomedical Research Day, an annual celebration of the work and discoveries of biomedical researchers in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Society for Medical Research recently honored Representative Daniel E. Bosley (D: 1st Berkshire), for his leadership in creating Massachusetts Biomedical Research Day – October 21 – which became law over the Governor’s veto in the closing days of the 2006 session.
In upcoming years, MSMR, which first proposed Biomedical Research Day, will conduct events tied to the day, linking researchers, students, legislators, journalists and the general public in a greater appreciation for and understanding of the benefits produced by biomedical research that is performed here in Massachusetts.
October 21, Alfred Nobel’s birthday, was selected in order to align Massachusetts with the national Biomedical Research Day holiday declared by President Clinton in 1993. It is hoped that soon all states will recognize the contributions of biomedical research to our understanding of life and to the improvement of health.
Steven M. Niemi, DVM, Board Chair of MSMR, said, “Here in Massachusetts we can be justly proud of our very long history of advancing health care through new medicines, improved skills and technology, and forward strides in medical devices. At least a fourth of the Nobel Laureates in Physiology and Medicine since 1934 have had a Massachusetts connection.â€
Alan Dittrich, PhD, MSMR President, added, “Biomedical Research in Massachusetts creates life-saving advances and it adds greatly to our state economy. More than $2 billion flows into Massachusetts from Federal research grants each year – giving us the highest per family life science research stream in the country. Corporate research carried on by legions of Massachusetts firms adds hundreds of millions dollars more. It is entirely fitting that we should set aside one day to celebrate and thank biomedical researchers for the work they do every day.â€
Biomedical Research Investment in Massachusetts
Continuing a long trend, Massachusetts ranks extremely high in federal life science funding.
· In 2005 the state was second in total NIH research grant funding and ranked first on a per-capita basis. Massachusetts researchers received 5,193 grants totaling $2,272,775,609. (California ranked #1. The next eight states, in order, are New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, Washington, Illinois, and Ohio.)
· In 2003 Boston ranked #1 and Cambridge ranked #21 among cities in NIH grant dollars.
· Massachusetts also received also a disproportionate amount of National Science Foundation grants (#3 behind California and New York – 2003).
· There is no fixed ratio between government-funded and industry-funded research, but industry adds at least 20% more to the life science research enterprise in Massachusetts, at least another $440 million.
· In the recent Milken Institute report Biopharmaceutical Industry Contributions to State and US Economies, Massachusetts was ranked as the state with projected top growth performance over the decade through 2014.
Impact of Biotechnology in Massachusetts
The biotech and medical device industries that spring from Massachusetts biomedical/life science research provide (2003) at least 51,000 jobs in the state and produce $7.4 billion in economic output.
Intellectual property growth
From a Massachusetts Technology Trust report of December 9, 2005:
· The Commonwealth ranked second (behind California) in the Food and Drug Administration approvals of new medical devices and biotechnology drugs.
· Six of Massachusetts’ eight IPOs in 2004 were biotechnology companies.
· Healthcare patents issued in Massachusetts between 2000 and 2004 were 27% of total patents.
· Biotechnology represented 26% of the state’s total venture capital investments in 2004 and medical devices represented another 8%.
· Massachusetts has the highest corporate R&D expenditure per $1,000 of sales of all the Leading Technology States.
Additionally, 82% of the biotechnology firms currently operating in Massachusetts were founded here.
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Taconic High Names Top Students of the Class of 2026
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Principal Matthew Bishop has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2026.
They will speak during the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, at 4 p.m at Tanglewood in Lenox.
Gavin O'Donnell, son of Kevin and Colleen O'Donnell of Pittsfield, has been named valedictorian with a grade average of 103. Hunter Bentz, son of Heidi Bentz of Pittsfield, has been named salutatorian with a grade average of 102.4.
Throughout his high school career, O'Donnell has exemplified the values of leadership, commitment, and excellence that define the Taconic community. He achieved high honors all four years and made significant contributions to both the school and the wider community. He was an active member of the Link Crew, Green and Gold, and Class Council, just to name a few of his activities.
A dedicated athlete, O'Donnell played soccer and baseball all four years and was named captain of the varsity soccer and baseball teams both junior and senior years. His commitment to service extended beyond athletics, as he volunteered with Unified Games and was a math tutor at Taconic. He has also been an active part of Pittsfield Soccer Club, where he has helped
referee youth soccer games and assisted in getting the fields ready for game days.
He has earned several awards, including being a member of the National Honor Society, the John and Abigail Adams Award, and being an AP Scholar and an AP Capstone Graduate.
O'Donnell plans to pursue a degree in finance at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will continue to play baseball and hopes to excel as a student.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more
