A delegation of Russian scientists working through the U.S. State Department's BioIndustry Initiative will participate in a full-day program at the University of California, Santa Cruz, on Thursday, June 10. Reporters are invited to attend the introductory remarks and the symposium.
The event will begin with coffee and introductory remarks in the Thimann Courtyard (between Thimann Laboratories and Thimann Lecture Hall) from 10:00 to 11:10 a.m. Speakers will include UCSC Acting Chancellor Martin M. Chemers; David Kliger, dean of physical and biological sciences; Joseph Konopelski, professor and chair of chemistry and biochemistry; Jason Rao, director of the BioIndustry Initiative, U.S. Department of State; and Ron Lehman, director of the Center for Global Security Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
A symposium, featuring talks by UCSC faculty and visiting Russian scientists, will be held in the Earth and Marine Sciences Lecture Hall (Room B206) from 11:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
The goal of the BioIndustry Initiative (BII) is to combat terrorism. The BII is sponsoring more than 100 leading scientists and biotechnology industry representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan to participate in the BIO 2004 conference held in San Francisco this week, followed by the visit to UC Santa Cruz.
The State Department press release, below, provides additional information about the program. If you would like to attend, please contact Tim Stephens in the UCSC Public Information Office at (831) 459-4352 or stephens@ucsc.edu.
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June 09, 2004 03:19 PM US Eastern Timezone
BioIndustry Group from Russia and the US State Department to Visit Santa Cruz
BIO 2004 Annual Convention
SANTA CRUZ, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 2004--A delegation of Russian scientists working through the US State Department's BioIndustry Initiative will be presenting a full day program at the University of California, Santa Cruz on Thursday, June 10 beginning at 10 AM. The goal of the BII is to combat bioterrorism; as such the BII is sponsoring more than 100 leading scientists and biotechnology industry representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan to participate in BIO 2004 and visit to Santa Cruz.
A Unique Program
According to BII Director, Jason E. Rao, PhD, a 1993 graduate of Santa Cruz: "This unique international program has incredible potential, both in joint efforts to combat terrorism, and in opening up significant opportunities for US industry. We are tapping into one of the greatest scientific communities during a time of enormous growth and opportunity. The possibilities are endless."
The full day event will begin with opening remarks by Acting Chancellor Martin M. Chemers and Professor and Chair, Joseph Konopelski of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The group will also be addressed by Ronald F. Lehman II, PhD, Director of the Center for Global Security Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Dr. Lehman chairs the governing board of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), a collaborator with the BII.
Working for the Common Good
Among the many distinguished scientists presenting at the event, one will be Raisa Martyniuk, PhD, from the State Research Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, VETOR.
Dr Martyniuk noted that the major goal of VECTOR is to fight emerging infections. "The only way to do this is through collaboration. We are working for the long term because there are many emerging and newer problems such as SARS and Avian flu. We want to develop a new generation of anti-virus drugs, vaccines, and new methods of diagnostics of infectious diseases. We are working together for the mutual benefit of people throughout the world."
BII Collaborations
The BII collaborates on its mission with the ISTC, Moscow, a multinational nonproliferation program; the Boston-based CIMIT, Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology, a consortium of Harvard teaching hospitals, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Draper Laboratory; and its Russian counterpart, TEMPO, the Non-Commercial Partnership Center of Modern Medical Technology.
CIMIT: Rita Watson, 617-733-7869
