A new effort announced today highlights the importance of URI in producing scientists, engineers, pharmacists and entrepreneurs who can contribute to the state’s economy: the appointment of nine members to the University of Rhode Island Commission for Innovation and Research.

The nine-member commission will be chaired by former state Supreme Court Justice Robert G. Flanders Jr. The commission will assess URI’s strengths and weaknesses in research and development over the coming year, and make recommendations to lawmakers about how to commercialize inventions and discoveries. The group will also offer advice on how the university can help produce a more science and technology-oriented work force...

...In addition, lawmakers approved a proposal in June to establish a research foundation at URI that will help faculty and researchers market their work and create spinoff companies. Peter Alfonso, URI’s vice president for research and economic development who will sit on the commission, is in charge of an ambitious proposal to build a research and technology park in the north quadrant of the Kingston campus.

URI currently brings in $60 million a year in research grants. URI President Robert L. Carothers has said he hopes URI will receive $100 million a year by 2010.