Key local and national science innovation leaders will be addressing critical bioscience and chemistry questions at a press event later this afternoon at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. The event is sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS), an organization 163,000 members strong, which advocates for innovation and explores growth opportunities within communities such as New Orleans.
Guests will be discussing how New Orleans can retain innovation and adapt to the changing bioscience and technology climate. Glenn Ruskin, Director of the Office of Public Affairs at ACS will moderate the event. Panelists include John M. Christie, Executive Director, Office of Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Development, Tulane University; Aaron Miscenich, President and Executive Director, New Orleans BioInnovation Center; John M. Newsam, President and Managing Director, Windhover Ventures LLC & Chairman & CEO, Tioga Research, Inc.; and Eloise C. Young, Ph.D, Program Manager, NineSigma.
“The chemistry enterprise is huge, and we need to nurture it for the good of our country,” said ACS Executive Director and CEO Madeleine Jacobs. “More than 96 percent of all manufactured goods are touched by the business of chemistry, and we employ more than 800,000 people in industry alone. Furthermore, the chemical industry accounts for more than 10 percent of the U.S.’ total merchandise exports: $145 billion.”
Rachel Bishop, ACS Manager for Public Policy Communications, mentioned a few of the questions that will be addressed later today, including:
- Now that New Orleans has a vibrant bioinnovation economy, how can it retain those businesses and continue to mature?
- How can New Orleans protect itself given the federal cuts to scientific research that sequestration, passed on March 1, will spell for our nation?
- How can New Orleans’ chemical industry bridge and work with its academic community to spur more new opportunities for innovation in the biosciences and chemical sciences?
Innovation leaders interested in attending should email Bishop at r_bishop@acs.org to register, or call 434-996-6246.
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