Drawing scientists from industry, government and academe, the
Institute for Biotechnology at St. John’s University celebrated its
10th anniversary in May by holding a major symposium on drug
discovery and development.
The Institute’s
10th Anniversary Symposium, held May 14 at the University’s
Queens, NY, campus, featured prominent researchers who spoke on the
latest advances and issues in the field. The speakers — and the 85
attendees — represented a broad cross-section of disciplines within
the field, said
Vijaya Korlipara, Ph.D., Professor of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of the Institute for
Biotechnology.
The
lecturers “highlighted state-of-the-art advances” in
biotechnology, said Dr. Korlipara, who organized the event. Topics
included the development of targeted chemotherapeutic agents;
muscle metabolism in the treatment of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease and the use of natural
products in drug discovery and design.
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Julia
Upton, RSM, Ph.D., Provost of St. John’s University, welcomed
the symposium’s guests.
Diane Hergenrother, Ed.D., Associate Provost for Academic
Planning and Resource Management, recognized
Diana Bartelt, Ph.D. , Associate Professor of Biological
Sciences who served as the Founding Director of the Institute
from 2002 until her retirement in 2010.
The Institute offers an M.S. in Biological and Pharmaceutical
Biotechnology. Drawing upon graduate courses from St.
John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College
of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, the
interdisciplinary program features a required, three-credit
“Internship in Biotechnology.” Through the course, students
complete 15 weeks of practical experience at local biotechnology
and pharmaceutical companies.