The formal affiliation between the two institutions, signed shortly before noon today by Brown Provost Robert J. Zimmer and MBL Director and CEO William T. Speck, establishes the Brown-MBL Graduate Program in Biological and Environmental Sciences in addition to faculty exchanges and research collaborations.

The affiliation takes advantage of the geographic proximity of Brown and MBL, uniting their faculty expertise in biology and medicine, particularly for molecular biology, genomics, ecosystems studies, environmental science, global infectious diseases, neuroscience and public health.

"This affiliation is designed to extend research to broader, more complex areas of science and to prepare young scholars to lead the nation and the world in biological and environmental sciences," Zimmer said. "Faculty of the two institutions will establish multidisciplinary approaches to understanding basic biological and environmental processes and their applications to eliminating disease and promoting transition to sustainable management of the Earth's resources."

"Partnering with Brown may be one of the most significant events in the history of the Marine Biological Laboratory," said Speck. "Developing a joint graduate program like this one is a major outcome of a recent strategic planning process designed to chart the future of the Laboratory. This is an exciting venture that will enhance the MBL's research and educational programs."

The Brown-MBL affiliation will allow graduate students to work with leading scientists at both institutions and to conduct original research in either institution's laboratories. Faculty from MBL will have the opportunity to teach Brown students at the gradu
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Contact: Scott Turner
Scott_Turner@Brown.edu
401-863-2476
Brown University
16-Jul-2003