The type of stuff he's talking about has direct industrial applications with potentially powerful economic impact. Better access to higher education will give us more guys like Shaun. Keeping them in Michigan is another part of the story that is up for debate, but no plan or position will work if we can't get our kids (or returning students) into a college or university in the first place.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Future Tech Theater - Episode 1
This is something I want to do from time to time. Below is a selection of videos showcasing cutting edge technology that existing companies or startups might be bringing to our state.
Craig Venter: On the verge of creating synthetic life
Andy Kessler - Nanotechnology and "The End of Medicine"
Virgin Galactic Animation - SpaceShipTwo
Center for Inquiry: The Age of American Unreason with Susan Jacoby
Hosted By::
Center for Inquiry Michigan
When:
Wednesday Mar 12, 2008
at 7:00 PM
Where::
Women’s City Club - Lower Meeting Room
254 E. Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
"A mutant strain of public ignorance, anti-rationalism, and anti-intellectualism has developed over the past four decades and now threatens the future of American democracy…Throughout our culture [a] disdain for logic and evidence has been fostered by the infotainment media…; aggressive anti-rational religious fundamentalism; poor public education; the intense politicization of intellectuals themselves; and—above all—a lazy and credulous public increasingly unwilling or unable to distinguish between fact and opinion.”
Combining historical analysis with contemporary observation, Susan Jacoby dissects a culture at odds with America’s heritage of Enlightenment reason and with modern knowledge and science. With mordant wit, Jacoby offers an unsparing indictment of the ways in which dumbness has been defined downward throughout American society—on the political right and the left.
Join us for this highly relevant and engaging presentation with author Susan Jacoby.
This event is open to the public. $6 Suggested Donation or Free for Friends of the Center.
Visit www.cfimichigan.org for full details.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Aerospace and Space Industry in Michigan - Part 1
Let me start this out with an old press conference from last September. Despite it's age, I think it is key to the direction that Michigan should keep its eye towards. Michigan has such a long history of manufacturing, engineering and innovation that an aerospace industry capacity is something we need to develop. By aerospace, I think more of the "space" part. But helicopter parts is a good start .
Some other Aerospace companies and resources in Michigan-
http://www.michiganaerospace.com/
Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association
There is also a Michigan Space Grant Consortium:
"The vision and mission of the Michigan Space Grant Consortium are to foster awareness of, education in, and research on space-related science and technology in Michigan. Its mission is to create, develop, and promote programs that support its vision and reflect NASA strategic interests, and encourage cooperation between academia, industry, state and local government in space-related science and technology in Michigan. "
Friday, March 7, 2008
Oakland Business Review: First Midwest stem cell research conference set
Source Story Here
by Sven Gustafson | Oakland Business Review
Friday March 07, 2008, 1:45 PM
Oakland University and Beaumont Hospitals host a regional conference on stem cell research that organizers say could deliver a boost to the university's profile and to research efforts under way across the state.
The event comes as a group called the Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee presses a petition campaign to place a measure on the Nov. 4 ballot loosening Michigan's restrictions embryonic stem cell research.
The university this week announced it will hold the First Midwest Conference on Stem Cell Biology and Therapy May 9-11 at Meadow Brook Hall on OU's campus, which straddles Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills.
The conference, which also is being funded by St. John Health Providence, has been in planning since August 2007. Speaking will be researchers from Canada; Sweden; the Czech Republic; the National Institutes of Health; Harvard Medical School; the University of Wisconsin; and the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University also are partnering, and it's hoped that more participants will join in the coming weeks, said Rasul Chaudhry, professor of biological sciences at OU.
"It is the first of its kind in Midwest," said Chaudhry, who hopes the conference will attract "200-plus" attendees. "Mostly the conferences on stem cells, they have been either on the East Coast or West Coast, like California or Massachusetts, Boston. We now have an opportunity to have such a conference in our neighborhood."
The three-day, weekend conference will focus on the latest advancements in research on stem cell biology, tissue engineering and therapy involving embryonic, adult and umbilical cord stem cells. Andras Nagy, senior scientist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, will deliver the keynote address, while U.S. Sen. Carl Levin also is scheduled to speak.
A panel discussion will examine ethical and political issues raised in particular by embryonic stem cell research. Some researchers in Michigan have complained that state laws restrict their ability to conduct research on embryonic stem cells, which scientists say could help develop cures for diseases including Alzheimer's, diabetes and cancer. Opponents object to the practice and liken it to abortion because scientists must destroy the embryo to extract stem cells.
While it's less known for conducting stem cell research than the University of Michigan, stem cell research is being conducted across several departments at Oakland University, Chaudhry said. The university has also developed research projects with Beaumont and Providence hospitals, he said.
Beaumont and Oakland University officials last April announced plans to create a new, privately funded medical school on the OU campus, with the first class enrolling in 2010.
"It makes some sense that we show some leadership in research as well," Chaudhry said. "Somebody has to take a lead and some people think this was needed. We got e-mails from places that said, 'Wow, this was overdue.'"
รข€¢ Contact Sven Gustafson at (248) 374-4932 or sveng@mbusinessreview.com.
Go to the First Midwest Conference on Stem Cell Biology and Therapy Webpage here.
by Sven Gustafson | Oakland Business Review
Friday March 07, 2008, 1:45 PM
Oakland University and Beaumont Hospitals host a regional conference on stem cell research that organizers say could deliver a boost to the university's profile and to research efforts under way across the state.
The event comes as a group called the Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee presses a petition campaign to place a measure on the Nov. 4 ballot loosening Michigan's restrictions embryonic stem cell research.
The university this week announced it will hold the First Midwest Conference on Stem Cell Biology and Therapy May 9-11 at Meadow Brook Hall on OU's campus, which straddles Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills.
The conference, which also is being funded by St. John Health Providence, has been in planning since August 2007. Speaking will be researchers from Canada; Sweden; the Czech Republic; the National Institutes of Health; Harvard Medical School; the University of Wisconsin; and the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University also are partnering, and it's hoped that more participants will join in the coming weeks, said Rasul Chaudhry, professor of biological sciences at OU.
"It is the first of its kind in Midwest," said Chaudhry, who hopes the conference will attract "200-plus" attendees. "Mostly the conferences on stem cells, they have been either on the East Coast or West Coast, like California or Massachusetts, Boston. We now have an opportunity to have such a conference in our neighborhood."
The three-day, weekend conference will focus on the latest advancements in research on stem cell biology, tissue engineering and therapy involving embryonic, adult and umbilical cord stem cells. Andras Nagy, senior scientist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, will deliver the keynote address, while U.S. Sen. Carl Levin also is scheduled to speak.
A panel discussion will examine ethical and political issues raised in particular by embryonic stem cell research. Some researchers in Michigan have complained that state laws restrict their ability to conduct research on embryonic stem cells, which scientists say could help develop cures for diseases including Alzheimer's, diabetes and cancer. Opponents object to the practice and liken it to abortion because scientists must destroy the embryo to extract stem cells.
While it's less known for conducting stem cell research than the University of Michigan, stem cell research is being conducted across several departments at Oakland University, Chaudhry said. The university has also developed research projects with Beaumont and Providence hospitals, he said.
Beaumont and Oakland University officials last April announced plans to create a new, privately funded medical school on the OU campus, with the first class enrolling in 2010.
"It makes some sense that we show some leadership in research as well," Chaudhry said. "Somebody has to take a lead and some people think this was needed. We got e-mails from places that said, 'Wow, this was overdue.'"
รข€¢ Contact Sven Gustafson at (248) 374-4932 or sveng@mbusinessreview.com.
Go to the First Midwest Conference on Stem Cell Biology and Therapy Webpage here.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
McCain's position on pharma research in MIchigan
This is a month old. Sorry. I wish he would have talked more about research stimulus. I'm not voting for McCain, but I actually won't shed any tears if he gets elected. I would however really like to know if he has any position on research funding. He just devolved into one of his talking points. If anyone can find videos with the other candidates positions on pharma research in Michigan, let me know.
-Jason
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Michigan Future Inc.
In my quest to find news to bring you, I found out that there is actually a think tank in Michigan called Michigan Future Inc. Since that is basically the inverse of the name of this blog I thought it was worth investigation. The organization is headed by urban planning theorist Lou Glazer.
I have to say that their number one focus for improving Michigan's future prospects is right on the money in my opinion: education.
Their more detailed agenda can be found in this report
http://www.michiganfuture.org/Reports/NewAgendaFINAL.pdf
I'll provide a more detailed report once I've more carefully read through all the material.
- Jason
I have to say that their number one focus for improving Michigan's future prospects is right on the money in my opinion: education.
Their more detailed agenda can be found in this report
http://www.michiganfuture.org/Reports/NewAgendaFINAL.pdf
I'll provide a more detailed report once I've more carefully read through all the material.
- Jason
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