New York - The Biotechnology State: A New Renaissance

By Jeffrey Saelens, Manager of the Technology Information Unit; Keith Servis, Director for Programs; and Russell W Bessette, Executive Director, of the New York State Office of Science, Technology and
Academic Research (NYSTAR) Jeffrey Saelens PhD is the Manager of the Technology Information Unit at NYSTAR. He spent 24 years in R&D laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry before entering New York State Government service in 1990.

Keith Servis is NYSTAR's Director for Programs. For 16 years prior to coming to NYSTAR, Keith held several positions in program administration, policy development and analysis at the NYS Department of Health. He oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of all agency programs, with a total portfolio of US$150 million, and directs staff support to the NYS Advisory Council on Science, Technology and Academic Research.

Russell W Bessette MD was appointed Executive Director of NYSTAR by Governor George E Pataki, and this appointment was unanimously confirmed by the State Senate. He was the Director of the Instrument and Devices Clinical Laboratory at the Center of Advanced Technology (CAT) at Buffalo between 1985 and 1989. Russell has been a leader in academic research for more than 30 years in the fields of science and technology. He has authored or co-authored morethan 55 peer-reviewed academic publications, reports and research papers and has authored eight textbook chapters on reconstructive surgery. Russell served as a Member of President George Bush's Transition Team for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).