PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Attendees at the Oregon Bioscience Showcase will hear from Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) as she launches the high-profile event with opening remarks and welcomes the next generation of researchers and start-up companies. The Oregon Bioscience Showcase 2017 will take place on Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. in OMSI’s Empirical Theater.
With just three minutes each, ten high school and academic researchers will compete, presenting their projects to the 200+ bioscience professionals in the audience. This is their unique opportunity to discuss their emerging research and its impact in the local and global bioscience ecosystem. Here’s who they are and their focus:
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Cynthia Bui, 12th Grade, Madison High School, Portland
A Genetic Approach to Designing a Novel Biological Sensor to Monitor Water Contamination
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Monica Chang, 11th Grade, Camas High School, Camas,
Washington
A Closer Look at Memory: The Effect of Diurnal Rhythms on Perineuronal Nets
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Vinita Chittoor, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Researcher, Oregon
Health & Science University
Influence of Diet on Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
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Drake Donovan, Graduate Student, University of Oregon,
Eugene
Design and Application of Synthetically Targeted Chromatin Remodeling Proteins
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Sandra Dorning, Research Technician, University of
Oregon, Eugene
Pre-Settlement Swimming Behavior and Substrate Selection by Pacific Sea Nettle (Chrysaora Fuscescens) Planula Larvae
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Dustin Fernandes, Co-Founder, Spritz It; Oregon State
University (B.S. 2015)
Reducing Bacteria Contamination on Electronics in Healthcare Settings
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Eliotte Garling, Undergraduate Student, Reed College,
Portland
It's Not Just a Phage: Allopatric Isolation and Genomic Characterization of Myoviridae Phage that Kill E.Coli Pathotypes
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Brandon Hong, Undergraduate Student, University of
Oregon, Eugene
Preventing Allergic Reactions
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Maria Reyna, 11th Grade, School of Science and
Technology, Beaverton
Using Arthropod Biodiversity as an Indicator of Urban Ecosystem Health
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Makenzie Wimer, 12th Grade, HeLa High School,
Vancouver, Washington
Oyster Drills and Willapa Bay Shellfish
But before the selected researchers take center stage, nine emerging entrepreneurs and their companies in the device, diagnostics, and digital health sectors will get a mere 10 minutes to unveil their secret sauce to the audience as part of the 6th annual Company Pitch Showcase. Judges and the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions as well as meet the entrepreneurs between pitch sessions.
“We believe this is a crucial time for investigators and researchers to bring their proofs for consideration, especially through their full immersion in the rapidly-evolving life sciences environment here in Oregon,” said Denise McCarty, executive director of Oregon Bioscience Association.
The Showcase event will be immediately followed by Oregon Bio’s Bio on the Rocks from 6 to 9 p.m. at OMSI’s Theory Café.
The Oregon Bioscience Showcase key event partners include the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, OTRADI/Oregon Bioscience Incubator, Biotronik, Genentech, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Eli Lilly, TE Connectivity, ThinkfastCRM, Welch Allyn, Copiers Northwest, Summit Development and VWR International.
About Oregon Bioscience Association
The Oregon Bioscience Association advocates for its members and the industry to create opportunity through advocacy, cultivation and education. Oregon Bio promotes the growth and quality of the bioscience industry in Oregon and continually seeks ways to support sustainability and growth in the life science, bioscience, biotechnology and device manufacturing industries and to create acceleration initiatives so members can achieve their full scientific, economic and social potential. Oregon Bio, a nonprofit membership association, is the Oregon affiliate of BIO, Biotechnology Innovation Organization.
In 2014 Oregon’s jobs in biotech grew faster than most other U.S. markets. The association’s most current economic impact study showed that in 2014, Oregon’s growing bioscience industry reached nearly 14,000 jobs across 793 state business establishments. State bioscience companies have increased employment by 3.5 percent since 2012, with job growth coming from four of the five industry subsectors. Oregon’s research universities are especially focused in the biosciences relative to other fields with their nearly $456 million in bioscience academic R&D in 2014 accounting for 68 percent of all academic research compared with 61 percent for the nation. In 2015, NIH research funding to Oregon institutions totaled nearly $289 million. Venture capital investments in Oregon’s bioscience-related companies have increased in recent years and since 2012 have totaled just over $62 million. More about the Oregon Bioscience Association can be found at www.oregonbio.org.
