BIO Alabama announces keynote speakers for virtual annual conference

BIO Alabama announced the keynote speakers and lineup for the organization’s virtual annual conference Oct. 5-9.

The leading advocate for Alabama’s bioeconomy said despite challenges presented by COVID-19, a virtual conference is still able to inspire, educate and connect the state’s researchers, scientists, startups, manufacturers, investors, students, economic developers and bioscience companies of all sizes.

Speakers for BIO Alabama’s virtual conference include:

• Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, the new president and CEO of BIO-Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the world’s largest biotechnology advocacy group. She is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote address on Monday, Oct. 5 at 12:30 p.m.
• Bob Hess, vice chairman of Global Corporate Services at Newmark Knight Frank, where he focuses on corporate location strategy and site selection. He is scheduled to speak Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. with a focus on bioscience economic development.
• Dr. Regina Benjamin was U.S. Surgeon General from 2009 to 2013. She was the first African American woman on the board of the American Medical Association and the recipient of the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights. She is a leader in preventative medicine, fighting health disparities and developing innovative community health strategies and systems for low-income and rural communities, most recently in Bayou La Batre. She is scheduled to speak Thursday, Oct. 8 at 12:45 p.m. delivering the closing keynote address.

Additional speakers, organizations and sponsors will be announced during the next several weeks. Up-to-date information on the agenda and presenters is on the conference website. Event registration will open soon.

During the conference, BIO Alabama plans to amplify the innovative work of its members, partners and the broader Alabama bioscience community. Throughout the conference, attendees will hear from industry thought leaders who will discuss topics including responses to COVID-19, diversity, equity and inclusion, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, precision and genomics medicine, bioagriculture, nanotechnology, funding and economic development.