Senator Gary Peters Receives Champion Of Science Award For Leadership On Basic Science Research & Innovation

The Science Coalition Recognizes U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) for Commitment to Maintaining America’s Leadership in Basic Scientific Research

WASHINGTON, DC – The Science Coalition (TSC) today presented U.S. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan with its Champion of Science Award in recognition of his commitment to funding the basic research that keeps the United States and the state of Michigan at the forefront of scientific and medical discovery and technological innovation.

Senator Peters is a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. While serving as Ranking Member of the Senate Science, Space and Competitiveness Subcommittee, Peters worked with Republican Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) to craft a major update to federal research and technology policy. Signed into law in 2017, the bipartisan bill, known as the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, maximizes basic science research opportunities, reduces administrative burdens for researchers and encourages scientific entrepreneurship.

The Champion of Science award was presented at an event at the University of Michigan College of Engineering by Alec D. Gallimore, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, and Wayne State University Vice President for Government and Community Affairs Patrick Lindsey. Wayne State University and the University of Michigan are members of The Science Coalition. In addition to the university officials, Wayne State University student Leena Abbas spoke at the event about her experience working with Wayne State faculty researchers in a federally-funded research lab. The junior, majoring in Nutrition and Food Science with a concentration in Biological Sciences, called that experience “an important piece of my education as an undergraduate student that will have a lifelong impact on my future career.”

“The cutting-edge research conducted by universities in Michigan and across the country is generating new technologies and advancements that will save lives, create jobs and revolutionize our world,” said Senator Peters. “Federal investments in basic science research are the cornerstone of our nation’s innovation economy, and I’ve been proud to champion stronger investments in research in the U.S. Senate. I am honored to be recognized by The Science Coalition, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University, and I look forward to continue working to maximize research opportunities and encourage scientific entrepreneurship for future generations.”

“Senator Peters understands that science and engineering matter. They are at the core of research advances, technological breakthroughs and entrepreneurial successes that address the needs of millions of people throughout this state and across this nation every year,” said Dr. Gallimore. “The University of Michigan and Michigan Engineering are committed to scientific and technological leadership that improves the quality of life for all of our citizens. We are pleased to collaborate with our colleagues from Wayne State in The Science Coalition’s recognition of Senator Peters.”

“Wayne State University is honored to recognize Senator Peters,” said Wayne State University Vice President for Research, Stephen M. Lanier. “Through his important legislative work, he is helping to keep the United States at the forefront of research and technology development across a range of the sciences that is critical for our global leadership and the broad communities that we serve,” said Dr. Lanier.

“The Science Coalition is pleased to recognize Senator Peters with our Champion of Science Award for his strong and consistent support for federal research. His work authoring and passing the bipartisan American Innovation and Competitiveness Actepitomizes a Champion of Science,” said Anna Quider, President of The Science Coalition.

The Science Coalition’s Champion of Science Award recognizes members of Congress whose actions and votes consistently reflect their belief that basic scientific research, conducted at universities and national labs across the country, is essential to the nation’s ability to address pressing issues in health, security, energy and the environment, and additionally, that a strong federally supported basic research enterprise drives innovation that fuels the U.S. economy. Senator Peters joins a distinguished group of nearly 80 current and former members of Congress have received this award since 1999.

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About The Science Coalition

Established in 1994, the Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research universities. It is dedicated to sustaining the federal government’s investment in basic scientific research as a means to stimulate the economy, spur innovation, and drive America’s global competitiveness.