Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
***Click here for photos of the EERC luncheon and tour.***
***Click here for photos of the UND Medical School tour.***
GRAND FORKS – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) toured the University of North Dakota (UND) Medical School and the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC).
“The University of North Dakota is doing groundbreaking research across the board,” said Senator Cramer. “For an issue near and dear to me and my family, it was a privilege to learn more about ongoing Alzheimer’s Disease research. I’m hopeful we will find a cure so no family has to watch their loved one wither away from this debilitating and terrible disease.”
At the UND Medical School, Senator Cramer was joined by Dr. Colin Combs, Department of Biomedical Sciences Chair, and Dr. Marc Basson, Senior Associate Dean for Medicine & Research to discuss the many efforts in which UND is engaged concerning Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Senator Cramer also congratulated UND’s Department of Biomedical Sciences for its #2 ranking in the nation in terms of research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for biomedical sciences.
Over 15,000 North Dakotans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease. In October, Senator Cramer sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra urging him to establish a national goal to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. He also asked HHS to develop a plan to achieve this goal. Last April, Senator Cramer
announced HHS awarded UND $1.2 million for aging research, specifically for Alzheimer’s Disease.
At the EERC, Senator Cramer was joined by UND President Andrew Armacost, North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford, Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), EERC CEO Charles Gorecki, members of the North Dakota Industrial Commission, the North Dakota Petroleum Council, and additional state and local leaders.
“Celebrating energy and agriculture is something we’ve always done and if you ask me it just makes sense that our agrarians are the greatest caretakers. There is so much opportunity for collaboration across our great state from energy to agriculture,” said Senator Cramer.
In his remarks, Senator Cramer highlighted his op-ed with former National Security Advisory Lt. General H.R. McMaster on an American First approach to trade and climate policy and the geopolitical opportunities this approach carries. He also discussed the energy implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and his recent meetings with European energy commissioners and foreign ministers.
“We’re in a moment where North Dakota can really seize the day. Everything from carbon capture, utilization, and storage to clean coal technology because Europe is learning this lesson a really tough way,” continued Senator Cramer.
During the tour, Senator Cramer saw the UND College of Engineering and Mines’ high-tech, state-of-the-art labs and how students learn practical skills in their education to prepare them for careers in petroleum engineering. The Drilling and Completion Lab facilities included a wellbore simulator pressure vessel and a full-scale drill rig. The lab also includes a rare earth elements test project funded in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy. The project extracts rare earth elements and critical minerals from North Dakota lignite coal.
EERC delivered a presentation on its ongoing research in Senator Cramer’s “Bully Pulpit” events with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon in September and Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan in November. “The Bully Pulpit” is a new speakers series designed to host a variety of influential public and business leaders in North Dakota to hear from constituents and share their expertise in a format designed for constructive discussions.
