Legislators Visit for Briefings on Future of Research

Before the Texas Legislature convened for its 80th regular session, State Senator Judith Zaffirini, Ph.D., (D-Laredo) and Rep. Beverly Woolley (R-Houston) toured the Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building – home of the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM) – and received updates on research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

While visiting the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for
the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM), Texas Sen. Judith Zaffirini,
second from right, listened to James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the
UT Health Science Center at Houston, second from left, explain the
impact stem cell research will have on the future of medicine. Sabrina
Midkiff, chief governmental relations officer for the health science center,
left; Warren von Eschenbach, Ph.D., the senator’s committee director,
center; and Thomas Caskey, M.D., chief operating officer, director- and
chief executive officer-elect of the IMM, right, then accompanied the
senator on a tour of the Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building. Photo by
Wendy K. Mohon

Both Senator Zaffirini and Rep. Woolley have been ardent supporters of UT Health Science Center efforts to increase overall legislative funding and, specifically, funding for the recruitment and retention of scientists.

“I cannot say enough about the dedication of both Chairman Zaffirini and Chairman Woolley for their efforts in strengthening the ability of the State of Texas to take a worldwide leadership position in research for the prevention of human diseases,” said UT Health Science Center President James T. Willerson, M.D. “Their work will significantly contribute to the future of medicine and to those who will be helped by the cures and treatments that we are studying.”

Dr. Willerson met with both of the state legislators during their visits to discuss research and building efforts, including a planned $62-million Biomedical Research and Education Center, which will be the primary home for adult stem cell research and teaching.

Woolley is the author of the health science center’s original legislative request for funding for the Biomedical Research and Education Center. In 2006 the UT System Board of Regents authorized $41.1 million in PUF funds to create the center.

During a tour of the IMM facilities, Texas Rep. Beverly Woolley, center,
talked with, from left, Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., professor and director, Center
for Nanomedicine; Irma Gigli, M.D., IMM deputy director and director of
the Center for Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases; Paul J. Simmons,
Ph.D., professor and director, Center for Stem Cell Biology; and Eva
Zsigmond, Ph.D., assistant professor and associate director of the
Laboratory for Developmental Biology. Ferrari and Gigli also hold
appointments in the UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at
Houston. Photo by Ester Fant

Woolley authored legislation in the last legislative session to ban human cloning and create ethical guidelines for stem cell research and has led efforts in the Texas House to understand the potential and importance of stem cell research in Texas.

Woolley is chair of the House Calendars Committee, which schedules legislation for consideration on the floor of the House.

Zaffirini, who is beginning her 20th year in the Texas Senate, is vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee and chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education.

She has authored legislation in the current legislative session to ban human cloning and create ethical guidelines for stem cell research. She also has led Senate efforts to study and review stem cell research in Texas.

Zaffirini is the author of the tuition revenue bond legislation, which passed in the 2006 special session, granting $60 million in tuition revenue bonds for the UT Dental Branch at Houston.

In the Texas House, Woolley played a leadership role supporting the passage of this legislation and the inclusion of the $60 million in tuition revenue bonds for the Dental Branch.

“Having an opportunity to meet with our scientists and get a briefing on how we are dedicated in our pursuit to prevent, cure and treat human diseases is invaluable to their understanding and supports their efforts in their deliberations at the Texas capitol,” said Sabrina Midkiff, chief governmental relations officer for the UT Health Science Center