Dr. Sherrie Priesche, the new executive director of the Commission on Science and Technology, will lead the commission to fulfill the governor's vision to spur job growth in the life science, nanotechnology, telecommunications and information technology sectors.
The Commission on Science and Technology will work with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to attract technology and research-based businesses into defined innovation zones -- zones that will turn research at New Jersey's universities into business growth and job creation. Universities will do the best possible research, and will provide a foundation for growth in the life science and high-tech industries. The partnership will move new technologies more quickly from the lab to the marketplace.
The changes are part of the governor's plan to make New Jersey the most important place in the nation for scientific research.
"Information and innovation will drive the economy of this new era. New Jersey is already in front; we are already a center of research, and we're already working to build the industries of tomorrow," said McGreevey. "Today we have one of the strongest economies in the nation. We're investing in the research and tech-based fields to ensure that we'll be even stronger tomorrow."