Georgia Research Alliance Recruits Eight New Eminent Scholars to Georgia in FY15

ATLANTA, Aug. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Georgia Research Alliance announced today that it has recruited eight new Eminent Scholars to the GRA Academy. It marks the best recruitment year for the organization in over a decade.

The FY 15 class of GRA Eminent Scholars includes the following renowned research faculty:

• Deepak Divan, PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology, Energy Management Technologies
• Stanislav Emelianov, PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology, Medical Imaging
• Arthur Edison, PhD, University of Georgia, NMR Spectroscopy
• Robert Haltiwanger, PhD, University of Georgia, Glycobiology
• Ravi Kane, PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology, Cancer Nanotechnology
• Ted Ross, PhD, University of Georgia, Infectious Diseases
• Eric Sorscher, MD, Emory University, Pediatric Research
• Ming Zou, PhD, Georgia State University, Molecular Medicine

"We are proud to welcome these world-class scientists to our Academy and their host universities," said C. Michael Cassidy, President and CEO, Georgia Research Alliance. "They represent the future for research advancement in key areas of opportunities for science and technology in the state of Georgia."

GRA's recruitment strategy began in the mid-1980s when Georgia's business leaders and elected officials realized that the state lacked a coordinated strategy to lure top academic scientists to its research universities.  They recognized that the presence of these scientists would act as magnets to attract top talent and boost industry interest in the state.

In 1990, the GRA Eminent Scholars program was launched to draw leading scientists to Georgia by giving them state-of-the art equipment and accommodations.  In 1992, GRA inducted its inaugural class of 3 Eminent Scholars – at The University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Georgia State University. 

"We're excited to have such a strong class of Eminent Scholars this year, and I commend the Georgia Research Alliance on having its most successful recruitment in over 10 years," said Hank Huckaby, Chancellor, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. "By hosting these brilliant scientists we help grow Georgia's economy and further enhance its reputation as a cutting-edge place to do business and create high-wage jobs."

Today, the Academy numbers 63, and in 2014, was responsible for generating more than $300 million in competitively-funded research activity. GRA Eminent Scholars employ some 1,200 faculty, graduate students, and technicians in their labs, and last year filed 47 invention disclosures and were granted 23 patent applications. 

"We are proud to partner with our outstanding research universities to attract these exceptional scientists who are choosing to move their labs and teams to Georgia for a unique opportunity," said Doug Hertz, President and CEO of United Distributors and GRA Board Chair.  "We are providing them with the tools and infrastructure to develop solutions for problems that are facing our world."

About Georgia Research Alliance
The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) works to expand research and commercialization capacity in Georgia's universities to recruit world-class talent, seed new companies and transform lives. For twenty-five years, GRA has worked to strengthen the research enterprise in Georgia by working in partnership with the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to create the companies and jobs of Georgia's future.  Visit www.gra.org for more information.

Contact:
Amanda Schroeder
Director, Public Relations
Georgia Research Alliance
[email protected] 
404.443.2659

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SOURCE Georgia Research Alliance

Related Links

http://www.gra.org