An electronic newsletter from the Marine Biological Laboratory
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Message from the Director
Winter’s chill has given way to warmer temperatures, daffodils, and a busy spring conference schedule. As I write this letter, we are hosting the Kinetoplastid Molecular Cell Biology Meeting, a gathering of 230 scientists from 17 countries who study the molecular cell biology of trypanosomes and other parasites. The MBL is pleased to be the home for such conferences and strives to provide a special environment for all of our visitors that fosters intellectual exchange and collaboration in the unique setting of Woods Hole.
Meanwhile, Whitman Investigators are preparing to make their annual migration to the MBL. I’m happy to report that the renovation of the Rowe (formerly Whitman) Laboratory is on schedule and heading towards completion. Our director of facilities, Richard Cutler assures me (and reassures me) that the lab will be ready for occupancy in just a few short weeks from now.
In addition to providing summer investigators with much improved, modern research facilities, renovating Rowe now enables us to offer investigators outstanding research facilities whenever they need them, twelve months of the year. Visiting investigators are welcome to extend their stays beyond the traditional summer season, and are particularly encouraged to set up satellite laboratories at the MBL or spend their sabbaticals with us. I’m especially pleased to announce a new Grass Foundation/MBL jointly funded sabbatical initiative for neuroscientists starting in the fall of 2007. With this initiative, we hope to recreate during the “off season” the sense of camaraderie and collaboration that is so prominent among scientists here during the summer months. Read more about
this exciting opportunity and
the Rowe Laboratory renovation.
Over the last several months, we have also been exploring ways to further enhance the MBL’s outstanding research and educational programs, and identifying scientific areas worthy of future investment. In conjunction with this effort, we have engaged the fundraising firm CCS to conduct a feasibility study to assess the MBL’s readiness to begin a major fundraising campaign, which will be needed to provide critical infrastructure and endowment support for new and existing programs. Interviews with more than 100 stakeholders have begun and preliminary results will be presented to the MBL Board of Trustees early next month. We will continue to keep you updated on this process as we take this critical next step in the MBL’s future.
You may also know that Bill Beers has informed me of his intention to retire at the end of August this year. Bill came to the MBL in 2004 as the laboratory’s first Chief Academic and Scientific Officer (CASO). In this capacity he has served the institution with distinction as the MBL began implementing its first strategic plan. We are grateful to Bill for the critical role he played in developing the Brown-MBL Graduate program and for his leadership and oversight of the MBL’s research and educational programs. Personally, he has been invaluable during my transition to the MBL, and I look forward to many years of continued counsel and friendship. In preparation for Bill’s departure, a national search for a new CASO is about to begin.
As you can see, and as you will read in the articles below, this is a busy and exciting time at the MBL. We will continue to share news and progress reports with you in the coming months and I look forward to seeing many of you in Woods Hole this summer.
Gary Borisy, Director and CEO
