
Experts in life sciences, innovation and economic development will be in Birmingham this week for a three-day biotechnology conference.
The Emerge BHM biotech conference will be held Thursday through Saturday, with participants spending much of Thursday touring Birmingham.
Friday will include panels at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focusing on diversity in clinical trials, emerging pathogens, precision medicine and public-private partnerships.
Panelists are scheduled to include Dr. Regina Benjamin, former U.S. surgeon general from Bayou La Batre; Susan Monarez, deputy director of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health; and Sandeep Patel, the first director of BARDA’s Division of Research, Innovation, and Venture.
“In 2020, Alabama recorded more deaths than births for the first time ever, as COVID-19 revealed harsh truths about health disparities,” said Josh Carpenter, CEO of Southern Research, which is among the groups organizing the conference. “This conference is a chance to discuss the urgent and important efforts to address these disparities and expand precision medicine through the nationally acclaimed research and development institutions in Birmingham.”
In addition to Southern Research, presenting sponsors include Alabama Power and UAB.