BIO Alabama has named entrepreneur Rachel Lane, Ph.D., R.D., as its new executive director.
Lane founded The Written Science LLC in Huntsville, where she serves as a liaison between business and cutting-edge research teams to translate science into medicine. As executive director for BIO Alabama, she will focus on:
- Fostering independent and collaborative initiatives that cultivate a fertile, career-centric bioscience community in Alabama.
- Promoting tech transfer activities by facilitating member access to innovation resources, including funding opportunities and entrepreneurial support services.
- Creating constructive member engagement, through cross-member programmatic and technology match-making initiatives.
- Positioning BIO Alabama as the leader in bioscience-related industries statewide.
“Rachel’s background and experience serving as a bridge between the science and business community make her the ideal person to take the reins at BIO Alabama,” said Blair King, chair of BIO Alabama’s board of directors. “We are extremely excited about what Rachel brings to our organization.”
Lane began her career in clinical dietetics, working hand in hand with clinicians to provide evidence-based nutrition to acute care patients. She earned a doctorate degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2017.
Her experience includes founding the Oklahoma Association for Women in Science Affiliate Group, for which she recruited speakers, raised funds and planned events, including the inaugural Women’s History Month Symposium, to promote the professional success of women in STEM.
Lane founded The Written Science to help early-stage biotechs communicate the business value of their technology.
As BIO Alabama’s executive director, Lane will serve as the spokesperson and lead connector of the Alabama bioscience ecosystem, advocating for the state’s bioscience researchers, industry scientists and business leaders.
“Since moving to Alabama in 2017, I’ve been increasingly impressed by our state’s bioscience offerings and potential for continued growth,” Lane said. “BIO Alabama has done a tremendous job connecting our bioscience community and I’m privileged to build on the progress with BIO Alabama’s talented board.”
The association is the leading advocate for Alabama’s bioeconomy, representing the state on a national and international stage, promoting the intellectual and innovative capital that makes Alabama a premier place to invest, start and grow in bioscience.
During 2020, BIO Alabama conducted industry research and published an economic development roadmap that outlined recommendations designed to grow Alabama’s bioscience footprint.
Learn more about BIO Alabama at bioalabama.com.
(Courtesy of Alabama NewsCenter)
