Governor, First Lady Promote Research, Jobs in Manassas

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Two prominent political figures made appearances Thursday in the Manassas area, and both visits had a high-tech theme.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe joined with George Mason University (GMU) President Ángel Cabrera on Thursday morning in a ceremony to launch the Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research at GMU’s Manassas campus.

And First Lady Michelle Obama spoke in the afternoon at Micron Technology Inc., a semiconductor manufacturer, to promote Joining Forces, a White House initiative to encourage private companies to train and hire military veterans and their spouses.

In less than four years, the first lady said, U.S. businesses have employed or trained more than more than 850,000 veterans and military spouses, according to U.S. News & World Report.

At GMU’s Manassas campus, just west of the city, the governor said the Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research will create jobs and drive economic growth in Virginia.

“But more importantly, the work taking place at this institute will improve lives, cure disease and benefit us all,” McAuliffe said.

At the nearly $40 million, 75,000-square-foot facility, researchers will work to find advanced diagnostics and treatments for cancer, heart disease and other life-threatening illnesses, according to a press release from the governpr’s office. The institute is dedicated solely to research of biomedical innovation that could lead to new businesses.

In addition, GMU announced that it’s giving the Manassas campus a new name: the George Mason University Science and Technology Campus.

The campus serves as what GMU calls the “university anchor” of Innovation Park, a 1,600-acre research and development public-private venture. Innovation Park was created to attract companies in life sciences, information technology and other research-intensive sectors.