Follow us on social media:
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Life Science Hub Board Selects Medical Innovator and Industry Leader as Inaugural President and CEO
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub has selected Mark A. Turco, MD, to be the organization’s first President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the organization announced today. Dr. Turco has more than 25 years of executive experience in advancing medical technology development, clinical medicine, academic research and innovation. His engagement is subject to formal approval of his employment contract by the board and the advice and consent of the R.I. State Senate.
“With a top-tier board, the launch of an incubator lab and other programs, and now a dynamic, experienced candidate to lead the Life Science Hub, I am confident that we will deliver on the bold vision of transforming Rhode Island into a nationally recognized center for life sciences innovation,” said Neil Steinberg, Chairman of the Board. “Dr. Turco has the experience and skills to bring government, the private sector and academia together to generate the energy and culture we need to encourage innovation and create jobs right here in Rhode Island.”
“This is such an exciting opportunity, as Rhode Island is uniquely positioned to be a global leader in life sciences,” said Dr. Turco. “The combination of our academic institutions and health care systems, as well as state government’s commitment to fostering a more diverse medical and scientific ecosystem bring together the ingredients for success.”
“Solidifying Rhode Island’s footprint across the life science sectors will drive job growth and economic development here, while improving health and wellbeing locally and globally,” he added. “I am humbled by this appointment given its scope and mission and want to thank the members of this distinguished board for their confidence in me.”
As the Rhode Island Life Science Hub’s first President and CEO, Dr. Turco will focus on capturing opportunities for the state in the rapidly growing life sciences industry and building the necessary infrastructure. He will seek to leverage the strength of the Life Science Hub’s world-class board to successfully build and implement the organization’s initiatives and programs, including leading the development of the newly announced lab incubator space.
Dr. Turco has served in leadership positions across the biomedical and life science sectors including clinical medicine, academic research and early-stage startups. As the Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Pennsylvania, he established the Center for Penn-Health Tech, a partnership between the engineering school and the School of Medicine to develop medical technologies. He has guided research teams and innovators through the process of company creation and complex regulatory approvals to launch new medical technologies in the marketplace. Most recently he has led two cardiovascular start-up companies which were ultimately acquired by larger public medical device companies. Dr. Turco is a Providence resident.
CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island State Police are investigating a crash that happened on I-295 North in Cumberland Tuesday night.
The crash happened in the right lane near Exit 22 just before 9 p.m.
It’s unclear exactly what caused the crash or if anyone was injured.
12 News has reached out to Rhode Island State Police for more information but has not heard back.
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Scandals shake up Capitol Hill ahead of midterm elections
Congressional reporter Zachary Schermele dives into the latest scandals on Capitol Hill and how they’re shaking up politics ahead of midterms.
Rhode Island’s Democrat and Republican primary elections will officially be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9 this year, instead of the usual Tuesday election day.
Lawmakers passed the bill at the urging of state and local officials, who were concerned that an election day falling the day after Labor Day would not give them enough time to set up polls for the arrival of voters.
Gov. Dan McKee signed the bill on April 20, officially moving the primary day for 2026.
Which races will be on the ballot? The Republican and Democrat nominees for a swath of local offices – most notably governor but also lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Why was RI’s primary day moved?
At a hearing on the bill earlier this year, Randy Rossi, executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns explained the “significant logistical and financial challenges” municipalities otherwise would have faced having an election the day after Labor Day.
“Beyond cost, municipalities face serious logistical challenges accessing and setting up more than 430 polling locations on a major federal holiday, a process that often requires many hours and access to facilities that are typically closed and unstaffed on Labor Day,” he said.
“Compounding these challenges, many municipalities conduct early voting in city or town halls that must also serve as primary day polling locations,” Rossi noted.
Without changes to current law, he said, “municipalities would be required to conduct early voting and primary day polling simultaneously, often in the same limited space and with the same poll workers, requiring additional staffing and facilities.”
By the time this legislative hearing took place in January, other states facing similar issues, including Massachusetts, had already adjusted their primary dates, “and Rhode Island itself has demonstrated that alternative scheduling can be successful, as occurred during the statewide Wednesday primary in 2018,” Rossi said.
EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WPRI) — If you’re looking to satisfy you’re sweet tooth, look no further than Division Street.
Nothing Bundt Cakes opened its first Rhode Island bakery in East Greenwich earlier this month. The new bakery is situated within East Greenwich Square, which is also home to the Ocean State’s first Crumbl.
The bakery is known for its handcrafted specialty Bundt cakes, as well as smaller “Bundtlets,” and bite-sized “Bundtinis,” that come in a variety of flavors.
“There’s a strong sense of local pride, creativity, and community here that aligns perfectly with our values,” said Jake Williams, who owns the East Greenwich bakery. “We were drawn to the area’s vibrant small business culture and the opportunity to contribute something special.”
Nothing Bundt Cakes is also expected to open another bakery at Chapel View in Cranston later this year.
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Follow us on social media:
-
Augusta, GA57 seconds agoAttention, shoppers: Augusta-area Walmarts to be remodeled in 2026
-
Washington, D.C7 minutes ago11 hurt after work vehicle collides with Silver Line train at Metro Center
-
Cleveland, OH13 minutes agoHouston Astros at Cleveland Guardians prediction, pick for Tuesday 4/21/26
-
Austin, TX19 minutes agoAppeals court rules Texas can require public schools to display Ten Commandments in class
-
Alabama25 minutes agoAlabama Defeated By Birmingham
-
Alaska31 minutes agoHawaiian, Alaska reservation systems merge: Big changes for travelers start April 22
-
Arizona37 minutes agoMichigan defenseman Hunter Hady transfers to Arizona State
-
Arkansas43 minutes ago
#24 Arkansas Explodes for Eight Runs in Eighth to Race past Missouri State in Midweek Rematch
