Rhode Island’s colleges and universities are at the leading edge of science and technology, addressing critical issues that shape our world every day.

At Rhode Island’s flagship public research university, URI’s faculty and students are advancing transformative work in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and ALS, aging-related illness and other central nervous system disorders. Researchers are studying the development of a retina scan that could detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms even start, and partnering with a pharmaceutical company to investigate, and hopefully reduce, the brain bleed risk in life-saving immunotherapy treatments.

At the same time, this work will bolster Rhode Island’s investments in growing the life sciences sector, which currently supports over 5,000 jobs and 600 companies in our state. URI can build on this important work to further meet the health care needs of Rhode Islanders – and the entire world.

At Rhode Island College, the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies is training the next generation of cyber defenders. Despite there being a ransomware attack every 11 seconds in our country, there are 2,700 job openings for cybersecurity professionals in Rhode Island alone and over a half a million nationwide. This workforce gap poses a significant risk for national security, local governments, businesses and our economy – but it is an enormous opportunity for Rhode Island. More than 70% of RIC graduates continue to live and work here after graduation, so the cyber defenders trained at the Institute will help fill existing jobs, defend our local networks and grow our economy.

The Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies will be a regional center of excellence and the hub of an emerging cybersecurity sector in Rhode Island. Its facilities will also be a resource for the state, providing a state-of-the-art security operations center that could be utilized by government and private sector for training, workforce development and cyber defense.

This November, Rhode Island voters have the opportunity to support major advances in both biomedical science and cybersecurity by voting “yes” on Bond Question 2 for Higher Education Facilities. Approval of Question 2 will finance construction of a biomedical sciences building at the University of Rhode Island, adding needed lab space for medical research and discoveries. And at Rhode Island College, bond funds will renovate Whipple Hall and provide state-of-the-art computer labs, dedicated cyber training facilities, classrooms equipped with the latest technology and secure data centers.

The Higher Education Bond doesn’t just open new doors for opportunities at URI and RIC, it will position our state as a leader in key sectors of the global and regional economy. Biomedical sciences and cybersecurity represent good-paying jobs, economic prosperity and better health outcomes for our state.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Marc B. Parlange is the President of the University of Rhode Island. Jack R. Warner is the President of Rhode Island College.