MEDIA ADVISORY: Missouri Life Sciences Week Celebrates 27 Years
April 18th, 2011
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri’s 27th annual celebration of life sciences will take place April 18-23 at MU’s Bond Life Sciences Center.
Focusing on life sciences education, research, outreach and economic development, the week will include a two-day forum showcasing nearly 300 research projects by students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty; an economic development networking event; science career exploration opportunities; seminars and workshops by internationally acclaimed scientists; displays featuring MU core research facilities and research centers; a large vendor show; an awards presentation recognizing excellence in student research; and high school outreach. Missouri Life Sciences Week typically attracts more than 1,000 academic researchers, business leaders and policy makers.
“Life Sciences Week is filled with energy, conversation, education and fun. It is the opportunity for those who love science to share their work, and to dream of what might lie over the horizon,” said William Folk, professor of biochemistry and chair of Life Sciences Week.
Events are free and open to the public. For more information and a detailed schedule, visit http://lifesciencesweek.missouri.edu.
Schedule highlights include:
Global HIV/AIDS: Exciting developments in microbicides and adherence will be discussed from 8:30 a.m. to noon on April 19. The workshop will be available via live webcast. Featured speakers include:
- Stefan Sarafianos, MU assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology
- Tanuja Gengiah, Head of Pharmacy, Centre for the AIDS Research Programme of South Africa (CAPRISA), Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa
- Kathleen Goggin, professor of clinical psychology, UMKC
New Drugs From Plants and Microbes: Barbara Timmermann, chair of the medicinal chemistry department at the University of Kansas, will present a talk at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20 that focuses on investigations seeking new drugs from plants and microbes.
Linkages among Midwest Watersheds, Land-use Practices, and Gulf of Mexico Vitality will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on April 21. Speakers include:
- Sarah Parker Pauley, director, Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources
- R. Eugene Turner, professor of coastal ecology, Louisiana State University
- David De Geus, lead, Sustainable Agriculture, the Nature Conservancy’s Great Rivers Partnership
A Scientific Partnership and Resource Connection (SPARC) networking event for opportunity for business/community leaders and entrepreneurial scientists.