Advocates honored for support of UC's research mission

The UC Alumni Associations recognized two important efforts in support of university research in naming the 2009 advocate award recipients.

The associations named former California Assemblyman Gene Mullin as Legislative Advocate of the Year for his work in the creation of the Researcher Protection Act of 2008. The 24 members of the UC President's Board on Science and Innovation are the joint recipients of the Advocate of the Year award for their efforts to promote the importance of UC's research and technology transfer initiatives. The awards will be presented in Sacramento on March 10 as part of UC Day events in the capital.

"The animal research bill was one of the most important pieces of legislation ever passed on behalf of academic freedom," said Steven Beckwith, UC vice president for research and graduate studies. "Because of former Assemblyman Mullin's efforts, UC researchers and their families now have stronger protections against the violent, intolerant extremists who are threatening the university's research mission."

On Sept. 28, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 2296 after more than eight months of work from Mullin to gain bipartisan support. The bill strengthened protections for academics engaged in animal research. Mullin introduced the law to combat an increasing level of violence and intimidation of animal researchers at both their labs and their homes.

"I think we're certainly going to dampen down these extremist activities," said Mullin, who left office in December due to term limits. "The effect will be to give pause to people. I believe it will have a deterrent effect."

Mullin is also being recognized for his ongoing efforts on behalf of K-12 schools and higher education in California. Before seeking public office, Mullin taught government and coached basketball at South San Francisco High School for 32 years. He served as chair of the Assembly Committee on Education and the budget subcommittee on education finance.

He first became interested in the need for researcher protections through his 19th Assembly District constituents in the biotech industry. His original draft of the bill covered researchers at non-academic labs, and he'd like to see the protection laws extended to cover those private companies.

The connection between UC research and California's private businesses is at the core of the work the President's Board on Science and Innovation undertakes.

"The discoveries made on UC campuses can change the world," said Duane Roth, who will accept the Advocate of the Year award on behalf of his fellow board members. "We recognize the need California has for the very talented scientists and engineers from UC that we all have built our businesses around."

Roth is CEO of Connect, a La Jolla-based nonprofit that promotes entrepreneurship and partnerships between government, academia and industry, and CEO of Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp. Schwarzenegger appointed Roth to the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He also serves on the Governor’s Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth. Since 2002, he has been a member of the science and innovation board.

Initially the board's work centered primarily around advising the UC president on California's long-range training and research needs. Board members advised UC in the creation and ongoing managing of the Gray Davis Institutes for Science and Innovation and the Industry-University Cooperative Research Program.

In recent years, Roth said, the members – who are drawn from the ranks of business CEOs and industry leaders – have taken active roles in promoting UC's importance to the state's economy. Since 2007, the board has traveled to Sacramento three times to talk with legislators and the governor on behalf of UC. Individuals have participated in campus-organized lobbying efforts.

"The members of the President's Board on Science and Innovation are among the most successful and forward-thinking business leaders in California," said Beckwith. "They recognize the value the University of California brings to the state, and they have been tireless in carrying that message to our legislators. I can't think of a more fitting group to receive this honor."