Rhode Island Life Science Hub Boss Resigns, New CEO on the Horizon

Mark Turco, who took over as chief executive of Rhode Island’s Life Science Hub in January 2025, will leave the post on March 11. He has accepted a CEO role at an unnamed medical‑device firm, stepping back into the private sector. The Hub’s new leader will inherit a bold plan and tight deadlines, as the organization faces a funding shortfall this year. The Life Science Hub was created to boost Rhode Island’s biotech scene. Lawmakers pledged $45 million over three years, hoping the Hub would funnel money into companies and nurture local talent. Turco’s background as a cardiologist and former head of Genesis MedTech Intervention made him a fit for the job.During his brief tenure, Turco focused on building partnerships and laying groundwork for long‑term growth. He said the Hub had strong momentum and was ready for its next chapter. The agency’s mission remains to help Rhode Island compete with nearby states that have similar life‑science initiatives. An interim president will be appointed soon, according to Commerce spokeswoman Giselle Mahoney. The new CEO will need to prove the Hub’s value quickly, especially as funding opportunities dwindle this year. The transition signals a shift in leadership style and priorities for the Hub, but its core goal of advancing life‑science innovation in Rhode Island stays unchanged.