Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory

“There are 229 members of the corporation. 165 are full members with voting power.”

“The nomination committee shall present its nominees for election to the members of the corporation at the annual meeting. Election of the slate shall be by majority vote of the members of the corporation.”

“The form 990 is reviewed by senior management, chairs of the governance committee, and made available for full board review prior to filing.”

“The board of trustees are asked to review the conflict of interest policy and disclose any potential conflicts annually.the organization monitors the conflict of interest issues for scientists at the time of hire as well as for scientists and other key people on nih grants at key times during individiual grant cycles. The chairman of the board has charged the governance committee with reviewing the written policy on an annual basis and ensuring that each member of the board reads and signs the policy annually. Time is set aside at one board meeting per year to discuss potential conflicts of interest.”

“The institution uses comparability data from other non-profits in the area and in same field of scientific research.”

“The institution uses comparability data from other non-profits in the area and in same field of scientific research.”

“The institution makes its governing documents and financial statements available in pdf format on its website. The conflict of interest statement is available by request. Form 990 is also available on guidestar.com”

“The mdi biological laboratory is an independent non-profit biomedical research institution whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through research, hands-on science education,and the development of ventures that transform discoveries into cures.”

“Cost. The institution also provides hands-on science education programs for students and professionals. More than 30 biomedical courses are offered per year to hundreds of students at all levels. In 2016, the institution launched construction of the new maine center for biomedical innovation to provide innovation and entrepreneurial-based training with the goal of building a robust science and technology sector that will provide jobs for maine stem (science, technology, engineering and math) graduates. The highlights of the institution's 2017 achievements included: awarded a provisional patent for two drug candidates discovered by mdi biological laboratory scientist sandra rieger, ph.d., for the prevention and treatment of peripheral neuropathy, a painful, potentially disabling condition. Awarded a grant of approximately 500,000 over two years from the national institutes of health (nih) to support research on peripheral neuropathy, including on the two drug candidates. Awarded a patent for msi-1436,a drug candidate for the regeneration of heart muscle tissue after a heart attack. Continued to advance scientific discovery in the fields of aging, heart regeneration, nerve regeneration and wound healing through the publication of peer-reviewed research findings in prestigious scientific journals. Attracted two new research teams supported by nih inbre (idea network of biomedical research excellence) funding for research on regeneration and aging. Launched construction of the new, 6,560-square-foot maine center for biomedical innovation funded through a 2014 state bond issue; planned inaugural courses focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. Continued to offer more than 30 courses serving hundreds of students from all over the world and representing all levels of education,from high school students to science and medical professionals. Sponsored a signature course on aging attracting top scientists in the field from around the globe to examine the fundamental biological questions underlying the process of aging. Continued the institution's role as a leader in bioinformatics education with the addition to the bioinformatics curriculum of a first-of-its-kind "barn-raising for data-intensive discovery" workshop. Sponsored a blockbuster art meets science exhibition tied to the centennial of acadia national park,whose founders were instrumental in establishing the mdi biological laboratory at its present location in the 1920s. Continued a highly regarded series of outreach activities, including family science night and mdi science cafes,to engage the public in the institution's research and education programs and to promote scientific literacy. Strengthened communication with the public and with institutional stakeholders on the institution's achievements through an invigorated media outreach campaign and the "breaking through" blog. Continued efforts to restore eelgrass habitat in maine and to crowd-source data from citizen scientists about eelgrass in general and the disappearance of eelgrass from coastal waters. Continued to develop the online portal, anecdata.org.,as a tool for crowd- sourcing data from citizen scientists involved in scientific research and community action initiatives.”