Biotechnology at UNC Charlotte is a rapidly growing field that has become a crucial component of both research and economic development in the Charlotte area. Last Thursday, some of the most recognizable biotechnology, research and business experts gathered in the Barnhardt Student Activities Center for the 8th Annual Charlotte Biotechnology Conference. The nine-hour event provided attendees with an instructive overview of current activities and opportunities within the University. Future local opportunities within the biotechnology sector were also highlighted.
The conference hosted more than twenty speakers. Opening remarks were made by morning keynote speaker, Dr. Anthony Atala, a distinguished surgeon and Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Dr. Atala, who has received several awards and honors for his work with tissue and organ replacement, talked about the creation and establishment of Tengion as one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies.
Closing remarks were made by the Honorable Walter H. Dalton, Lt. Governor of North Carolina. Dalton presented the preliminary results of a recent biotechnology cluster study carried out by the NC Biotechnology Center and a few other local organizations.
In addition to the various speakers the event also hosted two panels. The Federal Agency Panel provided a national perspective on the nearly 40 billion dollars in funding opportunities. Panelists were June Blalock of Agricultural Research Service, Daniel Shaughnessy of National Institutes of Health, and Joanne Tornow of National Science Foundation.
The second panel, the Business Leaders Panel, discussed growth in biotechnology and research in the Charlotte area. The Business Leaders Panel enlightened attendees about policies and economic development that could be used to expand the local biotechnology sector, a sector that received nearly $3 billion in both public and private investment during the last five years. Panelist members included Simon Pedder, CEO and founder of Chelsea Therapeutics International, Tammy Trexler-Whaley, regional manager for economic development at Duke Energy, and Todd Wiebusch, CEO and board president of Saebo.
The event also showcased research highlights about various projects that were conducted at UNC Charlotte, Carolinas Medical Center and surrounding areas. Presenters included Mirsad Hadzikadic, director of the NC Complex Systems Institute at UNC Charlotte, and Carol Cheatham of the Nutrition Research Institute at UNC Chapel Hill.
Research topics were very diverse, ranging from Commercializable Research at Carolinas Medical Center to Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Metastasis. The Third Annual Graduate Student Poster Competition winners were also announced. This competition showcased Charlotte’s promising scientific research ventures. Rebecca Powell and Aniket of UNC Charlotte were finalists.
More than 350 professionals were in attendance to celebrate the expansion and development of new opportunities within the biotechnology sector in the Charlotte and the surrounding areas. Events like the Charlotte Biotechnology Conference are usually free for students and faculty. More information about the Charlotte Research Institute at htttp//:www.charlotteresearchinstitute.com.
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