U.S. Surgeon General to Speak at 2010 BIO International Convention

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, March 18, 2010) -  U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin will deliver the keynote address at the May 3 summit which will take place during the 2010 BIO International Convention being held May 3-6 in Chicago.  The summit will focus on the importance of integrating diverse and underserved populations within the medical, agricultural and energy research industry, increasing employment opportunities and encouraging participation in clinical trials.  The Surgeon General’s keynote address will begin at noon.

 

“I have long admired Dr. Benjamin’s service and her dedication to preventative care and outreach to underserved communities.   I look forward to her speech on the potential of strategic partnerships to accelerate new developments in biotechnology particularly in the therapeutic sectors, ultimately benefitting an increasingly diverse population,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.

 

Following the keynote will be two breakout sessions which address diversity in the workplace and the role of diversity in the development of new therapies, “Implementing Advocacy and Best Practices: Why It’s Essential to Your Business,” and “The Broader Impact of Evidence Based Research on Access and Innovation.”  The event will conclude with a networking reception.

 

Other confirmed speakers at the Diversity Summit include experts representing academia, health and other professionals and major corporations:

·         Melissa Harper, Director of Global Talent Acquisition/Corporate Diversity for Monsanto

·         Zelema Harris, Chancellor of St. Louis Community Colleges

·         Jean Mossman, European Federation of Neurological Associations

·         Armin Weinberg, Director of the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

 

The Diversity in Biotechnology Summit  will be held at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place from noon – 5:00 p.m. and is free and open to all attendees and members of the community. 

 

For more information on the 2010 Diversity in Biotechnology Summit, please visit http://convention.bio.org/diversity/.

 

The BIO International Convention helps to support the association’s programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation. For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program, registration, and housing information, please visit http://convention.bio.org/

 

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO Intellectual Property Counsels Spring Conference and Committee Meeting
April 19-21, 2010
New Orleans, LA 

Partnering for Global Health
May 3, 2010
Chicago, IL
McCormick Place Convention Center

BIO International Convention
May 3-6, 2010
Chicago, IL
McCormick Place Convention Center

2010 BIO Human Resources Conference
May 4-7, 2010
Chicago, IL 

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
June 27-30, 2010
Washington, DC

BIO India
September 21 - 22, 2010
Hyderabad, India

 

BIO’s Livestock Biotechnology Summit
September 28-30, 2010,
Sioux Falls, SD

 About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

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