[Press Release] David Walt of GMGI to Deliver Keynote Address at Gloucester400+ Overture
(GLOUCESTER, MA) David Walt, Ph.D., co-founder and board member of Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI), will deliver the keynote address at the upcoming “Gloucester 400+ Overture to 2023” celebration. The event, scheduled for January 15th — which is billed as an appreciation of the culture, history, and diversity of the city — kicks off the year-long 400+ commemoration.
Walt, a Cape Ann resident, co-founded GMGI in the belief that the ocean represents a new source of scientific and economic opportunity. Launched in 2013, GMGI uses cutting-edge marine genomic technologies to address questions related to our oceans, human health, and the environment. Its educational program, Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, trains high school graduates for careers in the life sciences.
“GMGI is changing the trajectory of the community by bringing meaningful science to Cape Ann, making new discoveries that will have an impact on fisheries and human health, and also by changing the lives of the students we train at the Academy,” Walt said.
Bruce Tobey, former Gloucester Mayor and one of the Gloucester400+ tri-chairs, says that the January 15th event will set the tone for a year of excitement, appreciation, and celebration. “We want to reflect on the past 400 years and pay tribute those who helped to shape Gloucester into what it is today, while also looking ahead to the next century and how we can shape the city’s path forward,” he said. “The committee felt Dr. Walt represents a perfect balance of the two, an influential leader in Gloucester’s recent history and a driver of change for the future.”
“It’s an incredible honor to be asked to provide a vision for the bright future Gloucester holds,” Walt said. “I’m looking forward to being part of what’s sure to be an inspiring event.”
In conjunction with Gloucester’s 400th, 2023 also represents the organization’s ten-year anniversary. In the past decade, GMGI has made significant strides towards its ambitious mission: cutting the ribbon on a world-class research institute on the waterfront; graduating six Academy classes of confident, prepared lab technicians; groundbreaking research advances, including sequencing the genome of the American lobster; catalyzing the regional economy with the attraction of several new biotech companies to the area; and growing a robust, talented team of 29.
“2023 represents a significant milestone for us and for our community,” said Chris Bolzan, GMGI’s Executive Director. “It’s because of Gloucester’s steadfast support, loyalty, and commitment that we’ve been able to achieve our ambitious goals. We’re honored to be celebrating such important moments together.”
“Gloucester 400+ Overture To 2023” takes place Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. in the auditorium at Gloucester High School, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road. The snow date will be Monday, Jan. 16. The event is free, but reservations are requested by going to the Gloucester 400+ website, www.gloucesterma400.org.
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. GMGI’s Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, a 10-month certificate training program to train recent high school graduates for careers as lab technicians, recently graduated its sixth class. Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute’s state-of-the-art research institute on Gloucester harbor opened in 2018 and is located at 417 Main Street.