February 2025

Letter from the President & CEO

Dear Rhode Island Life Science community,

It's an honor to introduce myself as the new President and CEO of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub. Stepping into this role is both a privilege and a responsibility – one that I take on with great enthusiasm as we work together to strengthen Rhode Island’s life sciences sector.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the Rhode Island Senate for confirming me and our Board of Directors for their trust and support in selecting me for this role. I also want to thank Governor McKee and Speaker Shekarchi for their support of the R.I. Life Science Hub. I look forward to collaborating with such a dedicated group of leaders who are deeply committed to advancing the state's life sciences community. I hope to serve our key stakeholders in this initiative, which includes our academic institutions, health care systems, scientists, company founders, the entrepreneurial community, industry, local and federal government and the people of the State of Rhode Island.

Life sciences is more than an industry, it is a field that improves the health and well-being of people here in Rhode Island, across the country and around the globe. From groundbreaking therapies and biopharmaceuticals to cutting-edge medical technologies and digital health solutions, Rhode Island has the talent, institutions and potential to become a national leader in this field. The question is not whether we can succeed, but how we can work together to accelerate our progress.

With the right focus and collaboration, I know that we can enhance and accelerate the growth of our thriving life sciences ecosystem, in turn strengthening our economy, supporting a highly skilled workforce and fostering innovation. Rhode Island already has world-class academic institutions, dynamic health systems and a history of excellence in research and discovery in fields like neuroscience, health and aging, immunology, RNA and cancer therapy, along with expertise in behavioral health. Our region is lucky to have biotech and biopharma manufacturing along with a medical technology presence. Now is the time to harness these strengths and bring greater investment, collaboration and opportunity to our state.

As we move forward, the Rhode Island Life Science Hub will serve as a convener, connector and catalyst—bringing together leaders across academia, healthcare, government and industry to align efforts and turn ideas into impactful innovation. We will champion the work already happening here, while creating new opportunities for growth, workforce development and advancing infrastructure with the goals of creating a healthier Rhode Island and building a "Rhode to prosperity" for our state and for the wellbeing of people and patients locally, regionally, nationally and globally.

As former Rhode Island Congressman John Fogarty once said, innovation is a team sport. The groundwork for success has already been laid and, with our Board of Directors, I am excited to embark on this journey with all of you. Together, we can position Rhode Island as a leader in life sciences, advancing both our economy and the health of people here at home and around the world. Create, develop, grow and sustain is our pathway to success.

Thank you for your support and commitment to this important work.

Dr. Mark A. Turco

President & CEO of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub

Dr. Mark A. Turco (left) with R.I. Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi (right)

Dr. Mark A. Turco at the R.I. Senate session on January 21, 2025 with his family members (bottom left and above)

R.I. Neuroscience Symposium Showcases

State's Leading Impact on Brain Science

Over 300 researchers, clinicians, industry leaders and entrepreneurs gathered at the Rhode Island Neuroscience Symposium to highlight Rhode Island’s growing impact in the fields of neuroscience, neurotechnology and behavioral health.

In partnership with Brown University’s Carney Institute for Brain Science, the University of Rhode Island’s George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, NEMIC and RI Bio, the event featured a dynamic program focusing on groundbreaking research and transformative advancements in brain science. Life Science Hub board member Dr. Patrice Milos and Vice President Lilia Holt played key roles in convening the Symposium.

Brad Margus, a biotech entrepreneur and advocate for neurodegenerative disease research, kicked off the symposium with a compelling keynote address. His personal story, driven by his sons’ battle with the rare genetic disorder ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), spoke to the urgent need for innovation in the fight against brain diseases.

Left: Brad Margus, Co-founder & Board Chair, Cerevance; Board Chair, Mind Immune; Founder & Volunteer Board Chair, A-T Children’s Project, delivers keynote address. Upper right: U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo, RI - District 1, provides welcoming remarks. Middle left: Diane Lipscombe, Director of the Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science provides remarks. Middle right: Neil Steinberg, Chairman of the R.I. Life Science Hub provides remarks. Bottom right: Dr. Mark Turco, President and CEO of the RI Life Science Hub provides welcoming remarks.

Throughout the day, leading experts from Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, BrainGate and other institutions presented cutting-edge research on topics like Alzheimer’s disease, aging biology and novel therapeutic treatments. The symposium showcased Rhode Island’s status as a national leader in the neurosciences and behavioral health fields, with several sessions focusing on the latest in neurodegeneration, translational neuroscience and technology.

Left: Dr. Meghan Riddle, Associate Director of the Memory & Aging Program at Butler Hospital, delivers opening remarks. Top right: Panel on Neurotechnology Clinical Research: Leigh Hochberg, MD, PhD, Director of the BrainGate Consortium with his colleague David Borton, PhD, Interim Director of the Institute for Biology, Engineering and Medicine, Wael Assad, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurosurgery & Neuroscience, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Noah Philip, MD, Professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior & Lead for Mental Health Research at the Center for Neurorestoration & Neurotechnology, & & Linda Carpenter, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, answer audience questions. Middle left: John Donoghue, PhD, former director of Brown's Institute for Brain Science and neurotech pioneer presents on BrainGate. Bottom right: Audience Q&A with Bess Frost, PhD, John Sedivy, PhD and Marty Taylor, PhD, of Brown University.

“The symposium was a clear demonstration of the collective impact of Rhode Island’s world-class academic institutions, physician scientists, and entrepreneurs in advancing brain science,” said Dr. Mark A. Turco, President and CEO of the Life Science Hub. “It also underscores our goal of building a dynamic ecosystem that not only drives life-changing health advancements but also strengthens Rhode Island’s economy.”

Upper left: Chloe Gunsilius, MD/PhD Student at Brown, pitches her company, SOMA . Middle left: Johnny Page, a current Brown medical student, pitches his neurotech company, Bolden Therapeutics. Middle right: Drew Linsley, CEO of Operant BioPharma pitches his company. Bottom left: Marc Powell, Co-Founder & CEO of ReachNeuro pitches his company. Right: Kunal Mankodiya, PhD, Co-Founder & CSO of Well-Aware, pitches his company.

The event also featured the cutting-edge work of Rhode Island companies like Bolden Therapeutics, MindImmune, Operant BioPharma and Reach Neuro, that are at the forefront of developing therapies and neurotechnology that could significantly impact brain health for thousands of patients.

The symposium marked the beginning of an ongoing effort to showcase the region’s leadership and expertise in RNA research, health and aging, oncologic diseases, metabolic diseases and medical technologies. Future events will continue to highlight advancements in these fields, all aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Life Science Hub Board Prepares Strategic Vision for the Future

With a new President and CEO at the helm, the Life Science Hub's Board of Directors recently convened for a strategic planning session to establish key priorities for strengthening Rhode Island's life sciences ecosystem. Discussions centered on building a sustainable organizational model, defining the Board’s role in advancing the Hub’s mission and identifying critical opportunities for industry collaboration and investment. The session reinforced the Life Science Hub's strong commitment to fostering innovation, workforce development and economic growth and will guide its work into the future, said President and CEO Dr. Mark Turco.

Welcoming New Team Members

The Rhode Island Life Science Hub welcomes Hailey Bathurst (upper right) as its new senior grant program manager, and Christina McKenzie (lower left) as senior operations manager.

Bathurst will oversee the organization’s funding programs and strategic initiatives. Her work will also focus on identifying external funding opportunities and building strategic partnerships. She brings experience in grant administration, business development and ecosystem building, having previously worked at SeaAhead, where she secured federal and state funding for innovation, and in the Peace Corps, where she focused on economic development.

As senior operations manager, McKenzie will manage daily operations, streamline internal processes and support the implementation of strategic initiatives. She brings extensive experience in human resources, office administration and business operations, having held key roles at Akoya Biosciences and Nabsys. 

Their combined expertise in organizational efficiency and stakeholder coordination will be instrumental in enhancing the Life Science Hub's capacity to support and drive growth in Rhode Island’s life sciences sector.

Industry Feature

www.RILifeScience.com