"Connecticut supports you," Malloy told an audience of over 375 scientists, businesspeople, investors, and students. "Your work in this industry, your willingness to be involved in this research, meshes well with Connecticut's great historical traditions."

It was in June 2005 that “An Act Permitting Stem Cell Research and Banning the Cloning of Human Beings” became Connecticut law. This landmark legislation appropriated the sum of $100 million over ten years for the purpose of grants-in-aid for conducting embryonic or human adult stem cell research.

"Connecticut is a small state, but it's always been at the forefront," Malloy said. "There's precious little we won't do to compete." He pledged that growth in the Connecticut life sciences sector would be a special focus of his administration.

"We're delighted Governor Malloy could join us for the conference, and we welcome his words of support and encouragement," said Paul Pescatello of CURE, a major sponsor of the StemCONN 2011 event. "When I met with the Governor during his campaign last fall, I was impressed by his vision for the role the life science industry should play in Connecticut's future. It was natural for CURE to reach out to him and invite him to initiate the StemCONN proceedings."

Media coverage of the Governor's visit included the following:

CT Mirror
State showcases local expertise at stem cell symposium

Farmington Patch
Malloy Opens Conference

Hartford Courant
Stem Cell Research in State Strong, Say Conference Attendees
Is Stem Cell Research the Fuel for Our Economic Engine?

Hartford Business
Malloy throws support behind CT's stem cell research

Waterbury RepublicanAmerican
Malloy vows stem cell extension

WNPR
Morning Edition interviews Paul Pescatello

WSHU
Researchers say Conn. stem cell investment is paying off

The StemCONN 2011 symposium brought the northeast U.S. stem cell research community to Connecticut for a full-day scientific symposium highlighting the most recent discoveries in stem cell research. For more detail, including PDFs of the program and speakers' biographies, visit http://stemconn.org.

Governor Malloy with Dr. Laura Grabel of Wesleyan University, chair of the StemCONN 2011 event

L to R: Dr. Paul Pescatello of CURE, Dr. Haifan Lin of Yale Stem Cell Center, Governor Dannel Malloy, Dr. Marc Lalande of the University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute