Director's Message

Greetings from Woods Hole! As I write this message, the MBL is winding down from another successful summer season. This summer our research program flourished with 108 principal investigators and an additional 250 research assistants, postdocs and other scientists in residence at the laboratory. These individuals came from 163 institutions in 21 countries. Likewise, our intensive discovery courses continued to chart new territory, energized by top-notch faculty and students who come here to do original, cutting-edge research and learn from each other in a setting unlike any other.

The unique nature of our educational programs is well known throughout the life sciences. As testimony to our success, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) recently notified the MBL that $15 million will be awarded to the institution to fund top-to-bottom renovations of the Loeb Laboratory. We are deeply grateful to HHMI for this spectacular award, which affirms that MBL educational programs are unparalleled in the nation and recognizes the importance of our courses to the past and future of biology and biomedicine.

Tsoi/Kobus & Associates have been selected as architects for the $25,270,000 renovation project and Shawmut Design and Construction will serve as construction managers. Both firms have previously worked very successfully with the MBL, most recently to renovate its Rowe Laboratory. The design phase of the Loeb renovation project will begin this fall, with preliminary construction beginning in March 2009. The expected completion date is June 2010.

In other good news, $10 million has been included in the recently signed Massachusetts Life Sciences Bill to support infrastructure improvements at the MBL. This bill will implement a comprehensive life sciences program for Massachusetts to support and stimulate research and manufacturing, and strengthen the Commonwealth's continued global leadership in life sciences. The MBL authorization was obtained in partnership with the Regional Technology Development Corp. of Cape Cod, a not-for-profit that facilitates the formation of new technology-based companies and aims to diversify and expand the employment base on Cape Cod. If appropriated, the MBL will apply the majority of the state funds to the Loeb Laboratory renovation. We extend our thanks to Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray, Senator Robert O’Leary, and the entire Cape Cod delegation for supporting the inclusion of the MBL in this historic bill.

I’m also pleased to share with you that the MBL has appointed Pamela Clapp Hinkle the laboratory’s new Director of Development and External Relations. Pam is a 26-year veteran of the MBL, having served the institution in a variety of capacities over the years. In addition to maintaining her most recent position of Director of Communications, Pam had been serving as Acting Director of External Affairs since September 2007. In her new position, Pam will be responsible for all aspects of communications, fundraising, government and external relations in support of the MBL's mission and strategic direction and will oversee all external relations activities and private support for the laboratory. Her successful record leading the MBL’s communications and public relations efforts, combined with her knowledge of the laboratory, its inner workings, and its constituents make her a key asset to the MBL and the External Relations team.

For those of you who were not in Woods Hole this summer, the annual meeting of the MBL Corporation was held on August 1. Over the last year, senior staff and I have been working to better address corporation committee concerns and enhance committee involvement in institution decision-making. In 2007-2008, senior staff reviewed Corporation committee recommendations made at the 2007 Corporation meeting. A decision or action item was then identified, and, in some cases, implemented. These decisions were reported back to the Corporation at the 2008 meeting in an effort to strengthen the MBL Management – Corporation Committee interaction loop. We plan to continue this process in the coming year, and welcome your input and ideas. If you missed the Corporation meeting, you can view my full report, including information on Corporation committee feedback on our website at: www.mbl.edu/governance.

I’d like to close this message by noting, with great sadness, the passing of Harlyn O. Halvorson, a pioneer in the field of microbiology and director emeritus of the Marine Biological Laboratory who died peacefully at his home on June 17, 2008, at the age of 83.

In addition to his distinguished scientific career, Harlyn was a skilled administrator and a powerful advocate for young scientists. During his tenure as Director of the MBL, he spearheaded the construction of the Marine Resources Center and was also instrumental in bringing Mitch Sogin and his molecular evolution program to the MBL. He was also a personal inspiration to me as I got my start in academic life in the late 1960s through Harlyn who, at the time, chaired the Laboratory for Molecular Biology at the University of Wisconsin.

In addition to being a professional mentor, Harlyn was a dear friend to me, as I know he was to many of you. On behalf of the entire MBL community I extend my condolences to his wife Jean and the entire Halvorson family. His accomplishments both in science and at the MBL will not soon be forgotten.


With all best wishes,
Gary Borisy, Director and CEO