Seattle, WA--Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI, now PNDRI) announced today that it has dramatically expanded its Board of Trustees to help Institute scientists tackle the global problem of diabetes. New members of the Board come from regional healthcare, law, architecture, business, science, and biomedicine. Together, they are working to raise the profile of diabetes as an urgent public health threat and to build broad public support for accelerated diabetes research.

"I am honored by the talent and range of the new Trustees who have joined our Board," says Chairman Bob Brine. "PNRI is dedicated to making the scientific breakthroughs needed to ensure diabetes health in all communities. These new colleagues will help immeasurably in advancing our work."

Among the new PNRI trustees is Sarah Armstrong, a clinical nurse and healthcare lawyer with extensive hospital administration experience. Lois Broadway, from Taylor Gregory and Butterfield, another new Board appointee, has special expertise in the architecture and design of healthcare facilities and a deep understanding of the interplay between laboratory research and health. Dr. Fred Appelbaum is Senior Vice-President and Director of Clinical Research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and also serves on PNRI's Scientific Advisory Committee. Gilliat Schroeder is a senior vice-president at Smith Barney with decades of experience in the business community of the Northwest. Children's Hospital pediatrician Dr. Ben Danielson holds the first endowed chair at the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic where he is also medical director. Dr. Jack Faris is President of the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association, working with industry leaders to build a comprehensive life sciences strategy for Washington State.

"These new Trustees on PNRI's Board," Brine says, "will help us build more robust alliances in the fight against diabetes. Linking science and the community in effective partnerships, we can improve prediction, prevention, and treatment, and reduce the complications of this ravaging disease."