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Advisory Board Notes-May 2025
Gail Nolan CEcD- May 2
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
PR5G Zone Advisory Board
May 1st 2025
The PR5G Zone Advisory Board discussed various initiatives and projects. They highlighted the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new LIFT Center facility in Puerto Rico, which engaged local schoolchildren. David Simpson detailed a $65 million proposal under the CHIPS Act focusing on commercial real estate and manufacturing resiliency, involving companies like Collins Aerospace, OcyonBio, SPECE, and Gig Aerospace. The group also explored a University of Michigan project customizing algorithms for Puerto Rico's unique needs. Additionally, they discussed a remote telemedicine project using advanced communication technologies and a mobile medical office concept to address healthcare access in rural areas.
Action Items
[ ] @Gail Towers Nolan - Follow up with Jim Beddows to discuss aligning the proposal's data and benchmarking with national and global competitiveness.
[ ] @Gail Towers Nolan - Design the next phase of the University of Michigan technology adoption project.
[ ] Present the "PROS" human capital strategy proposal at the GSMA regional interest group meeting next week.
[ ] Explore opportunities to reuse the team and approach from the CHIPS Act proposal for other grant pursuits in areas like Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture.
[ ] Collaborate with partners, including UTS in Sydney and Ontario Tech in Canada, to further develop the remote telemedicine project.
Outline
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Introduction of LIFT Center and New Facility
Gail Nolan CEcD introduces the LIFT Center of Excellence for lightweight material development in Puerto Rico.
Juan M. Aguayo-Leal mentions the involvement of local school children and robot club winners.
Gail Nolan CEcD asks Juan about a charter school in Caguas with a high percentage of students going to top universities.
Juan M. Aguayo-Leal explains the project and its success in promoting STEM education.
Proposal Submitted Under the CHIPS Act
David Simpson discusses the proposal submitted under the CHIPS Act focusing on public wireless supply chain innovation.
The proposal aims to improve the resiliency of real estate in Puerto Rico, including communications and electricity.
The $65 million proposal includes a $50 million request and 30% cost sharing.
David Simpson mentions the involvement of Virginia Tech and a Massachusetts company called Airanaculus.
Companies Involved in the Proposal
Gail Nolan CEcD lists the companies involved: Collins Aerospace, Gig Aerospace, OcyonBio, and SPECE.
Each company was selected to represent a unique view.
Collins Aerospace is a multinational company with procedural complexity.
Gig Aerospace is located at Roosevelt Roads, with unclear legacy locational capabilities.
OcyonBio is a contract drug discovery, contract manufacturing pharmaceutical company looking at data lake creation.
SPECE is a co-working space looking to add enhanced capabilities for high-security hot desks and industry-facing SCIF for select users.
Benchmarking and Economic Development
Jim Beddows suggests benchmarking Puerto Rico's manufacturing sites against US sites.
Gail Nolan CEcD agrees, emphasizing the importance of benchmarking from an impact perspective.
David Simpson discusses the need for alignment with emerging technology and workforce training.
Jim Beddows mentions the importance of aligning curriculum with emerging technology needs.
Human Capital Strategy and Workforce Development
David Simpson introduces a human capital strategy proposal called PROS, focusing on addressing people-related challenges.
The proposal will be presented at the GSMA regional interest group in Alexandria, Virginia.
Jim Beddows offers to share data and machine learning approaches to close the gap in workforce training.
David Simpson emphasizes the need for moonshot funding to achieve moonshot results in workforce development.
Smart Factory Initiative and Interoperability Testing
Gail Nolan CEcD discusses the smart factory initiative and the role of the Advisory Leadership group in interoperability testing.
David Simpson highlights the modular nucleus of the team in Puerto Rico and their potential for future grants.
Gail Nolan CEcD mentions the importance of testing various systems, software, hardware, and firmware in factory settings.
David Simpson encourages the team to look for grant opportunities that align with their interests.
University of Michigan Technology Adoption Project
Gail Nolan CEcD introduces the University of Michigan technology adoption project.
The project involves identifying growth industries for Puerto Rico and customizing algorithms for the island.
The team presented a final report, which Gail Nolan CEcD will post in the notes.
The next project will focus on designing a data platform for technology adoption in Puerto Rico.
Please find attached the report and a link to the presentation slides, which include a recording. The link is also below:
Remote Telemedicine and Virtual Reality Collaboration
· Gail Nolan outlined plans to improve technology and healthcare capacity, referencing a tour of the Wake Forest facility that demonstrated innovative VR applications in medical imaging.
· She stressed the importance of collaboration and input from board members in the design of the project.
· Gail Nolan CEcD notes that the remote telemedicine project is with the Piedmont region's regenerative medicine engine and includes Advent Health.
· The project aims to provide medical services to individuals on space stations and in remote areas in Puerto Rico.
· Robert "Bob" Brumley shares his experience with a similar project in Canada and Australia using wearable tech and avatars.
· The project will use high-volume bandwidth to support 4K, 8K video and real-time collaboration.
· Luisa Fernanda Zambrano Marin raised questions about the RCBOB observatory's resources and the involvement of insurance companies in the medical initiative.
· Jim Beddows shared insights on a talent sourcing algorithm developed for the FDA, proposing its application to Puerto Rico.
Mobile Medical Office for Telemedicine
Eliut Flores suggests a mobile medical office specialized for telemedicine with high-power capabilities and satellite backup.
The mobile unit could have a regular schedule to provide medical services in remote areas.
Gail Nolan CEcD mentions working with Q Care on mobile device distribution for telemedicine.
The project aims to enhance the capacity of medical professionals and provide specialized care in remote areas.
CMMC Expansion and Cybersecurity Initiatives
· Gail Nolan led a conversation about a facility project and its relation to CMMC expansion efforts in Puerto Rico.
· David Simpson mentioned Katie Errington, the new CIO for the Department of Defense, who aims to enhance cybersecurity certification processes.
· Juan Figueroa inquired about potential proposals and collaboration opportunities, while Nolan emphasized the need for an assessment of cybersecurity readiness on the island.
· The group needs to track funding opportunities that position it as a cyber-ready location as a national pilot.
· John Frias expressed interest in the cyber proposal and the smart factory project.
· There is collaboration opportunities for startups and emerging technologies in defense.
Announcements and Project Updates
· Luisa Fernanda Zambrano Marin highlighted the Caribbean Space Summit scheduled for October, encouraging attendees to engage with the Puerto Rico Space Foundation.
· CSS Website: https://www.caribbeanspacesummit.org/
· CSS Sponsorship Deck: bit.ly/SponsorshipsCSS
· Gail Nolan CEcD mentioned the PRMA annual meeting and an AI exploratory session, stressing the need for measurable outcomes from their discussions.
· Our partner at the Puerto Rico Energy Forum is hosting an Event at Medtronic next month to discuss the challenges and successes related to their micro-grid installation. Use the QR code below to register.
Exploring Puerto Rico's Potential as a Spaceport
David Simpson emphasized the exciting opportunities for Puerto Rico in the space sector, mentioning work with Kuiper and the recent satellite launch. He proposed that Puerto Rico could be an ideal location for satellite integration and reentry activities, leveraging its existing industries. Gail Nolan supported this idea, noting the island's strong pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors.
Discussion on the Jones Act and Shipbuilding Challenges
Elizabeth Thelen mentioned emerging opportunities for ship building due to federal incentives. Gail Nolan CEcD noted relevance for PR due to the challenges posed by the Jones Act, which mandates that goods shipped between U.S. ports must be transported on U.S.-built ships. This regulation significantly increases costs for Puerto Rico, as noted by Cruz Ramos. Ingrid Padilla emphasized the need for a discussion on the misinformation surrounding the act.
Action Items:
* David Simpson will present the human capital strategy proposal at the GSMA regional interest group meeting next week.
* Jim Beddows will follow up with David Simpson and Gail regarding the ongoing discussions about the relevant project stream.
* Gail Nolan CEcD will work on a proposal for a cybersecurity readiness assessment on the island.
* Gail Nolan CEcD will include the link to the Caribbean Space Summit in the meeting notes.
* Jim Beddows will follow up with Elizabeth to better understand her question and describe the resources available on their side.
* Gail Nolan CEcD will compile and send out the meeting notes to all participants.
Key Questions:
* What are the next steps for the smart factory initiative after the proposal submission?
* How can the 5G technology be utilized to address healthcare challenges in Puerto Rico?
* What are the specific requirements for the cybersecurity proposal to be successful?
* How can Puerto Rico position itself as a spaceport for integration and recovery of space vehicles?
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