Press Release

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin will be joined by experts representing academia, health and policy, as well as the nonprofit and corporate sectors at the May 3 Diversity in Biotechnology Summit, which will take place during the 2010 BIO International Convention being held May 3-6 in Chicago.

Following Dr. Benjamin’s keynote at noon, panelists will participate in two breakout sessions which will 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
  • Moderator: Melissa Harper , Director, Global Talent Acquisition/Corporate Diversity, Monsanto
  • Zelema Harris, Chancellor of St. Louis Community Colleges
  • Jabbar Bennett, Assistant Dean, Recruiting and Professional Development, Brown University
  • Marvin Bembry, Director, State and Local Government Affairs, Abbott
• The Broader Impact of Evidence-Based Research on Access and Innovation
  • Moderator: Armin Weinberg, Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine
  • Jean Mossman, Policy Adviser to the European Federation of Neurological Associations
  • Angela Geiger, Chief Strategy Officer, Alzheimer’s Association
  • Durhane Wong-Rieger, President, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders

The event will conclude with a networking reception from 5:00pm to 6:00pm.

Dr. Benjamin Keynote and Media Availability

The Surgeon General will be available to speak with media directly following her keynote address at noon. Dr. Benjamin is available to discuss integrating diverse and underserved populations within the medical, agricultural and energy research industry, increasing employment opportunities and encouraging participation in clinical trials.

If you are unable to attend the Diversity in Biotechnology Summit but would like to participate in Dr. Benjamin’s media availability please contact Audrey.chang@harbourgrp.com for call-in information.

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 who RSVP here http://convention.bio.org/diversity.

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/

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Upcoming BIO Events

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

Partnering for Global HealthMay 3, 2010Chicago, ILMcCormick Place Convention Center

BIO International ConventionMay 3-6, 2010Chicago, ILMcCormick Place Convention Center

2010 BIO Human Resources ConferenceMay 4-7, 2010Chicago, IL

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

BIO IndiaSeptember 21 - 22, 2010Hyderabad, India

BIO’s Livestock Biotechnology SummitSeptember 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.

Last updated on: 27/08/2010 11:40:18