[StBernard] Plan to Strengthen Louisiana University Research Capability Moves to Second Phase

[Westley Annis]

Plan to Strengthen Louisiana University Research Capability Moves to Second Phase

Initiative Emulates Successful Georgia Model

BATON ROUGE, La. (April 23, 2007) - Louisiana's plan to strengthen and expand the research capabilities of its universities -- and to foster the commercial application of that research for economic development -- is gaining momentum. The statewide initiative, based on a model pioneered by the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), a highly-successful collaboration of research universities, business, and state government, is now moving into its second phase.

"Since the GRA was formed in 1990, the research collaborations among Georgia's universities and industry have generated over $2 billion in new federal funding and investment, created thousands of new high-wage jobs, and spawned hundreds of new high-value companies and new opportunities for established Georgia companies. With the right investments, we can bring the same sort of potential to Louisiana," said Louisiana Recovery Authority Board Member Matt Stuller.

In the GRA's 2006 annual report, alliance president C. Michael Cassidy said that government leaders in many states frequently ask him to share GRA's secret to success.

"What surprises them is that the secret comes down to two basic but powerful concepts - collaboration and focus," said Cassidy, adding that the GRA focus is on a few select technical areas and a platform that rests on scholars, infrastructure and commercialization of discovery.

Louisiana is following the same recipe for success.

"I'm confident that Louisiana can forge equally-effective, focused coalitions," said Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. E. Joseph Savoie. "The first step of our statewide plan, based on the same premise and methodology that GRA employed, is to target priority research areas by competitively awarding approximately $28.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to research and related educational programs at Louisiana colleges and universities most severely impacted by the storms. 

"Our ultimate goal in investing funds in the research strengths of the storm-damaged campuses is not just to bring them back to where they were before, but also to advance scientific research capabilities in a manner which promotes technology transfer and commercialization for the benefit of the institutions, the impacted region, and the state."

The statewide plan is being implemented in two phases. Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. (RTS), an internationally-recognized developer of technology-based economic development plans for regions and states, has completed the first phase, funded through LRA-allocated CDBG funds. This phase focuses exclusively on the recovery and rebuilding roles of research programs at campuses in the eight parishes most severely impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

In its Phase One findings, RTS recommended targeting the following high-value research and technology areas: materials science and engineering (including nanoscience); food sciences; immunology and infectious diseases; naval architecture/engineering; environmental and civil engineering (including energy production); genetics and genomics; chemical engineering; and neuroscience and neurobiology, among others. Through a competitive process, the CDBG funds will be awarded to eligible institutions for projects in these targeted areas.

"Funded projects will focus on one or more of the following broadly defined elements: faculty recruitment and retention, student development and support, the development of core facilities and technology commercialization," said Dr. Kerry Davidson, Regents' Deputy Commissioner for Sponsored Programs.

"We are using this regional opportunity as a pilot and model to take the next and most important step-enabling research universities to collaborate effectively with business and governmental leaders on a sustained basis-toward reaching our statewide vision of a cutting-edge, technology- and innovation-driven economy." Commissioner Savoie said.

RTS is now expanding planning to Phase Two, encompassing the entire state, which will require documenting the research strengths of universities as well as the state's industrial strengths and opportunities. The data being gathered will include the following: 1) availability of and need for scientific talent at the state's institutions; 2) potential to better engage research institutions with the state's network of technology business incubators, investor groups, and research parks; 3) productivity of the bachelor's-to-doctorate student pipeline (retaining the "best and brightest" students); 4) ways to capitalize on university technology transfer for research commercialization; 5) the state's efficacy in fostering research networks among higher education, government agencies, and the private sector; 6) capacity to maintain policy and program continuity; and 7) viability of Louisiana's entrepreneurial culture.

"The overall report will guide planners in creating a collaborative strategy across the university, business, and governmental sectors that supports statewide technology development and research commercialization," said Davidson. The report will also examine the feasibility of creating some community college centers of excellence to share workforce curricula, programs, and services for research-related careers.

The idea has been embraced by foundations and public interest groups who have long seen this type of initiative as essential to Louisiana's long-term economic viability. 

"We have been following the tremendous success of the Georgia Research Alliance for several years and are excited about the possibility of creating a similar program in Louisiana. We look forward to being a part of a public-private partnership that brings world class scientists and research to our state," said Baton Rouge Area Foundation Executive Vice President John Spain. 

To help develop the final statewide report by the fall of 2007, Regional Technology Strategies and the Board of Regents will hold a series of at least six public focus groups in major cities throughout the state. Initial focus groups have been scheduled as follows:

NEW ORLEANS:
April 25, 2007 
1:30 pm - 5:00 pm 
University of New Orleans Lindy Boggs Conference Center - Room 154 2045 Lakeshore Drive

BATON ROUGE:
April 26, 2007 
8:30 am - Noon
Claiborne Bldg. LA Purchase Room - First Floor
1201 North 3rd St.

SHREVEPORT:
April 27, 2007 
8:30 am - Noon
LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport Medical School Building - Room G-221

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.


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