Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility McAndrew, committee examine importance of life sciences

McAndrew, committee examine importance of life sciences

Lawmakers hear about region’s economic potential, digital manufacturing

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    April 14, 2025 | 1:12 PM

NEW KENSINGTON, April 14 – Life sciences fuel manufacturing and our hospitals, a lifeblood to Pennsylvania’s economy, creating jobs and transforming industry. The House Majority Policy Committee examined the impact of life sciences – including research and innovation – in a hearing hosted by state Rep. Joe McAndrew. The committee explored the work in developing skilled workers for manufacturing and hospitals in the region that drives the one-of-a-kind Life Sciences Workforce Pipeline we have in Pennsylvania.

“The ability to support and retain trained and skilled workers in the highest growing industries is only possible because of the strength of life sciences,” said McAndrew, who represents portions of Allegheny County. “From cutting-edge medical innovations in devices to our innovative hospital systems, our region is doing the type of work that will power Pennsylvania’s economy for years to come.”

A livestream recording of Monday’s hearing can be found here.

The hearing took place at the Digital Foundry at New Kensington, a nationally recognized regional innovation hub using hands-on learning and demonstrations located in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The foundry has transformed manufacturing training for college students and delivers internship opportunities for Penn State New Kensington, while also supporting nearly 300 adults with workforce training. It has also hosted and conducting training for K-12 students and educators.

“We heard firsthand about the benefits of developing a place where the classroom and workplace intersect,” said House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “The Digital Foundry empowers students, educators, workers and employers, providing many people with their first look at new technologies, but it also has been extremely effective in attracting investment and helping create jobs in the region.” 

Monday’s House Majority Policy hearing featured testimony from Dr. Megan Nagel, the regional chancellor at Penn State New Kensington; Dr. James Delattre, the vice president of research at Penn State New Kensington; Megan Shaw, the president and CEO of Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance; Dr. Stephen Thorne, the chief scientific officer at KalVir Immunotherapeutics; Dr. Matt Dado, the director of Technology and Innovation at Penn Hills School District; and Anthony Collins, a senior at Penn Hills High School.

Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. Testimony from today’s hearing can be found at pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee/HearingMaterials. Photos to be used for publication can be found at pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee/Galleries.