Vermont Biosciences Alliance presents
"STEM Saves Lives & Creates Jobs"
Monday, April 13, 2015
8:00-10:00 am
Sheraton Burlington

Featuring Opening Remarks by Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin

  Vermont’s vibrant and growing bioscience and biomedical sectors demand a workforce built on a foundation of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, skills and training to maintain global competitiveness and deliver medical advances to patients.

Join the Vermont Biosciences Alliance, in collaboration with the University of Vermont, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), for “STEM Saves Lives & Creates Jobs,” a  panel discussion highlighting the importance of STEM education, skills and training in the State of Vermont.  The event, which features opening remarks from Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, will bring together policymakers, academics, the business community and researchers to share their perspectives about the importance of a 21^st Century STEM workforce to ensure Vermont – and America’s – continued leadership in bioscience and biomedical innovation.

Exciting Panel of Experts

Richard Galbraith, MD, PhD, University of Vermont

Dr. Galbraith was appointed as Vice President for Research at UVM in July 2014. His priorities are building an infrastructure that assists faculty investigators in obtaining funding from a variety of sources; promoting disciplinary, translational, and transdisciplinary scholarship and research; partnering with the business community to bring new knowledge to the marketplace; partnering with the community when establishing priorities for research that will affect the community; an on-going focus on the environment and health; and elevating the local and national profile of the scholars and researchers at UVM.

Dr. Galbraith received his MD degree from King's College University, London England where he completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine. He relocated to the United States and completed a fellowship in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition and earned an interdisciplinary PhD in Molecular and Cellular Physiology from the Medical University of South Carolina. He spent 12 years at the Rockefeller University Hospital in Manhattan, New York where he directed the Rockefeller University Hospital and its attendant translational research programs and was Attending Physician at the New York Hospital. He also served as the Medical Director and Hospital Administrator for six years.

Setareh Samii, JD, PhRMA

Setareh Samii is a Director in the Policy and Research department of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Her work focuses on innovation policy as it pertains to the biopharmaceutical industry, including how STEM education policies can help ensure the next generation of STEM-skilled workers. She received a B.A. in International Affairs and a J.D. from The George Washington University. 

Thomas Grace, CEO Bia Diagnostics LLC

Thomas Grace is the President and CEO of Bia Diagnostics, one the leading Food Allergen testing laboratories in N. America. Bia Diagnostics does more third party gluten analysis than any other laboratory in N. America. Concurrently Mr. Grace holds a position in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Vermont Medical School. He has worked in various fields from Medical and Cancer Research at Dartmouth and the University of Vermont Medical Schools to developing cutting edge methodologies in Microarray and SPR technologies. He has co-authored over 20 scientific papers, ranging from cellular signal transduction and oncogene regulation to SPR application in quantification of Folic Acid in foods. He has developed many new testing technologies including ELISA and LFD (dip-stick) methods for rapid allergen detection in foods, which are currently being used by many of the leading food manufacturers in their Allergen Quality Control programs. 

Stefan Balaz, PhD, DSc Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences