Stony Brook University’s Associate Vice President for Federal Relations Lauren Brookmeyer played a central leadership role at the annual joint meeting of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), and The Science Coalition (TSC), held in Washington, D.C., on June 4. The gathering brought together university federal relations leaders, policymakers, science industry experts and top White House science officials to discuss the future of federally funded scientific research and innovation.
The meeting included a conversation with Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), as well as a defense research panel featuring esteemed Stony Brook University alumnus Dr. Arun Seraphin, who serves as executive director of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and is a leading voice on science and technology policy in the federal landscape. “When universities share their research stories and demonstrate how their work addresses national priorities — from national security to technological superiority — they become indispensable partners in driving America’s innovation agenda,” said Dr. Seraphin. “It’s about showing the Administration and policymakers how academic science translates into real-world impact.”
As current chair of the APLU Council on Governmental Affairs (CGA) and former president of The Science Coalition, Brookmeyer played a leading role in coordinating the meeting and moderated a panel discussion titled “Complementary & Collaborative Forces in American Innovation: An Industry Perspective on the National Research Ecosystem.”
“The American innovation ecosystem depends on robust, sustained partnerships between universities, industry, and government laboratories. Each plays a critical role — universities drive discovery and talent development, industry brings scale and application, and the federal government provides strategic vision and investment,” said Brookmeyer. “Strengthening these connections is essential not only for advancing science and technology, but for ensuring the United States remains the global leader in innovation and competitiveness.”
The joint national associations meeting underscored the essential role that universities like Stony Brook play in driving scientific discoveries, training the next generation of STEM leaders, and supporting the development of federal policymaking. Attendees also strategized on ways to better communicate the public value of university-based research to Congress, federal agencies and the American public.
Brookmeyer’s leadership at the meeting reflects Stony Brook’s growing influence in national science policy circles, as the university continues to elevate its federal engagement in support of its higher education and research mission as a State University of New York (SUNY) flagship research institution and the top-ranked public university in New York.
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