Company Profile
Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute
Company Overview
Overview
The Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) is an exciting independent research institute, addressing critical challenges facing our oceans, human health, and the environment through innovative scientific research and education. GMGI is looking for an innovative Scientist to join our expanding Oceans and Human Health Division with a focus on aging biology and healthy longevity. Our goal is to unlock the secrets of extended lifespan and healthy aging by studying the biology of exceptionally long-lived marine animals, translating insights into interventions that promote human health span and combat age-related diseases. Scientific themes include fundamental mechanisms of longevity and negligible senescence with emphasis on neuroprotective, immune resilience, and cancer resistance mechanisms.
The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, excellent communication skills, and an interest in translating research discoveries to improve human health. This position is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic and entrepreneurial scientist to contribute to building a world-class research institute.
Mission
Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute addresses critical challenges facing our oceans, human health and the environment through innovative scientific research and education. By bringing world-class science and transformative workforce development to Gloucester’s historic waterfront, GMGI is catalyzing the regional economy.
Company History
Origin and Early History
Over a decade ago, Gloucester neighbors Joe Rosa, a retired Biogen executive, and Harvard Professor Greg Verdine began exploring how the biotechnology sector, which was exploding a short drive away in Cambridge, might lift a Gloucester economy increasingly hollowed out by decline of its fishing industry.
These discussions expanded to include former Gloucester mayor John Bell, Harvard Medical School Professor Marc Vidal, and other Gloucester residents. They talked about bringing the science of genomics to fish counting, launching a program to train recent Gloucester High School graduates for successful careers in biotech labs, as well as attracting biotech start-ups on the way to building a science community on Cape Ann.
These innovative ideas and the promise of something new for Gloucester attracted more people to their group, including prominent local developer and businesswoman Sheree O’Reilly, then-mayor Carolyn Kirk, and State Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante, Chair of the House Community Development and Small Businesses Committee.
For the next few years, the group continued to meet and plan. Rep. Ferrante recruited the participation of David Walt, a Tufts University professor and founder of Illumina. Discussions also involved State Senator Bruce Tarr and other representatives of the broader Gloucester community. Through a series of public forums, the group crystallized a role as a partner in making Gloucester a better place for all, as well as in building a robust science community on Cape Ann that can address challenges to the oceans, human health and the environment.