Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones will travel to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland from October 31-November 3, 2011 to co-chair a meeting of the U.S.-Ireland R&D Partnership Steering Group.

In 2006, the United States, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland launched the U.S.-Ireland R&D Partnership to accelerate economic development and cutting-edge medical research. The Partnership encourages scientists and industries to work more collaboratively to bring scientific innovations to the marketplace.

In Belfast and Dublin, Assistant Secretary Jones will meet with senior government officials and visit such research institutions as the Northern Ireland Science Park, Queen’s University School of Medicine, and the Marine Institute.

Assistant Secretary Jones returns to Washington, D.C. on November 4.