Lupardo appointment to help University

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo’s recent leadership appointment will help Binghamton University stay connected to state discussions regarding science and technology, University officials said.

Luprado, who will chair the Assembly’s Legislative Commission on Science and Technology and has also been assigned to the Assembly’s Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Industry and Commerce, spoke at a news conference Feb. 16 at the Innovative Technologies Complex.

Lupardo was joined by Interim President C. Peter Magrath; Baghat Sammakia, interim vice president of research; Diana Bendz, president of the Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition; and Chuck Schwerin, CEO of Sonostics.

“The new assignments for Assemblywoman Lupardo are great news because she is relentless in promoting the Southern Tier and working with Binghamton University on economic development,” Magrath said. “That is her commitment and she is now positioned to be even more helpful. We here at Binghamton University welcome that because our mission is jobs and economic development.”

Sammakia emphasized that the Center of Excellence, which has generated more than $800 million in economic impact in the region over the past decade, would not exist without Lupardo’s assistance and support.

“This entire hub of activity between Binghamton University and the community is thanks to her efforts,” Sammakia said. “These appointments will mean that we have a closer relationship with discussions being held in Albany that impact science and technology initiatives not only in our community but in New York state.”

Lupardo said there are three components that go with leading the science and technology commission. The first two are commercialization and policy.

“I am going to be the point person who advises the Legislature on important policy matters that have to do with science and emergent technologies,” she said. “I will be able to express your concerns to make sure there is a seamless transition and that the initiatives you are interested in are not lost.”

The third component is education. The commission works to further scientific and technological literacy in students starting in pre-K by promoting science museums, science/math clubs and other community-based educational ventures.

“We want students to get excited about science and, more importantly, we want them to get excited about the community,” she said. “This is a place built on innovation and a place that will be rebuilt on innovations.”

Lupardo also stressed that the public should be made aware of how the Innovative Technologies Complex is contributing to the economic revitalization of the region and state.

“One of my missions is to make the Innovative Technologies Complex available to the public,” she said. “The public needs to know what goes on here and they need to feel good about this. We have wonderful work being done here and hopefully it can be translated to new jobs and new markets.”