STEVENS POINT – Dr. Patricia Gruber, director of research for the Office on Naval Research, will speak at Nov. 6 at UW-Stevens Point during a one-day conference on attracting federal classified research to Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Security Research Consortium, the Marshfield Clinic and UW-Stevens Point are hosting “Resource Rendezvous,” an event designed to expose academic and private-sector researchers to opportunities for federal grants and contracts.

To learn more about this free event or to register, go to www.wisecurity.org/events

As ONR director of research since late 2005, Dr. Gruber is responsible for the “discovery and invention” science and technology portfolio in support of naval mission areas. The Office of Naval Research coordinates, executes and promotes the science and tech programs of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through schools, universities, government laboratories, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations. It provides technical advice to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy and works with industry to improve technology manufacturing processes.

“We’re pleased Dr. Gruber is coming to Wisconsin,” said Jack Heinemann, director of the Wisconsin Security Research Consortium, a non-profit organization managed through the Wisconsin Technology Council. “In addition to her conference appearance, she will meet with leaders of major research institutions in the state. We hope to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Wisconsin’s research capacity.”

The WSRC was created to help match Wisconsin’s academic researchers and private partners with federal classified research needs.

“We hope that Gruber’s visit to Wisconsin is educational and sends the message that Wisconsin is open for business,” Heinemann said. “This is really about showcasing the competitive potential of Wisconsin technologies for these classified grants.”

The Nov. 6 event begins with 9 a.m. registration at the UW-StevensPointCommunicationsArtsCenter, 1101 Reserve St., and runs through 4 p.m. Break-out sessions will focus on how private industry can work with academia, government power needs, government communications and information technology needs, civilian and soldier safety needs, and health-related research.

Researchers, institutions or businesses may request to display posters on their research projects and technologies. Space is limited for the sessions and the posters, so register by Oct. 30 by contacting Ryann Petit-Frere at info@wisecurity.org

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