Biodesign Institute Signs National Policy Expert to Liaison Office

Kimberly Ovitt, Director of Communication & Institutional Advancement
(480)727-8688 | kimberly.ovitt@asu.edu

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University has tapped national science policy expert Rachel Levinson to direct its Government and Industry Liaison Office. With more than 20 years experience, Levinson will lead efforts to facilitate mutually-beneficial relationships between Biodesign Institute researchers and federal funding agencies as well as private sector entities.

Most recently, Levinson was with the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President of the United States, where, since 1993, she was assistant director of life sciences. In this capacity, she identified science and technology priorities, developed and advocated Administration objectives, and resolved policy issues in life sciences focusing on laboratory biosecurity, bioterrorism preparedness, biotechnology, biomedical research and technology development and transfer.

Levinson will be overseeing ongoing interactions between federal funding agencies and the Biodesign Institute, identifying major new funding initiatives, interacting closely with the program managers at the funding agencies in support of existing and proposed projects, and linking researchers with key agency or industry personnel in areas of mutual interest.

"Success in obtaining research funding to advance human health requires anticipating trends well in advance of requests for proposals from funding sources," said George Poste, director of Biodesign Institute. "Rachel has a singular ability to bring together individuals and programs that can benefit one another. She has earned the respect of key decision-makers in funding agencies through impeccable professional ethics, extensive knowledge, and this ability to match needs with resources for maximum benefit," Poste said.

Levinson began her career as a biologist for the National Cancer Institute within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Levinson advanced to positions including deputy director of the NIH Office of Recombinant DNA and senior policy advisor in the Office of Technology Transfer.

"The Biodesign Institute represents a new model of exploring scientific and technological frontiers," said Levinson. "The low lying fruit of scientific discovery have been reached; we are moving toward more complicated problems that require a multidisciplinary approach to resolve. You have to put together different kinds of expertise to address these challenges. That is the only way we can make big strides forward."

Levinson was recently selected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a prestigious international society. She earned her B.S in Zoology from the University of Maryland at College Park, and her M.A in Science, Technology and Public Policy from George Washington University, School of Public and International Affairs.