BIO 2007: Nebraska wins Pennsylvania’s major prize

By Vicky Cerino

After a day of visiting with people from all over the world and touting its technology wares, the Nebraska group settled into the social scene after hours. Boston Marathon. Boston Red Sox. Boston is home to many things. It now is thought to be home to the most winning team in Bio history.

Nebraska, for the third straight year at Bio, won one of the major prize giveaways from the state of Pennsylvania. People are starting to suspect something is up between Nebraska and Pennsylvania. “Maybe Nebraska should be our sister state,” said Subash Alias, Pennsylvania Regional Alliance.

Liz Kumru, UNMC public affairs, won the grand prize of a Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Softail, worth an estimated $8,500. One comes off the line every four minutes, said Ralph Rhode, First Energy Corporation of Lebanon, Pa.

A crowd of about 200 was gathered at the Pennsylvania booth to see who would be the lucky winner. Kumru, Sandy Goetzinger-Comer and I stood near the podium where the drawing was taking place. When the card was drawn I could see the backside of the card and immediately recognized it was a UNMC card because I saw the UNMC mission statement.  I yelled, “That’s our card.” The woman called out the name on the front: Elizabeth Kumru.”

Kumru’s face lit up. “Oh my God,” she said. We all were shocked. Last year at Bio in Chicago, UNMC’s, Marsha Morien and I won a guitar and a trip to Philadelphia, respectively. Kumru won a guitar two years ago at BIO in San Diego.

Instead of keeping the Harley, Kumru was thinking about taking the money and using half of it to pay her daughter’s upcoming semester in London.

Some Pennsylvania delegates are starting to get suspicious about Nebraska’s consecutive winnings. “I’m going to hang around you guys,” said Mary Bethea, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, who coordinated the prize donated by Team Pennsylvania Foundation. ”I guess we like Nebraska,” said Ted Martin, also of the department.

Said Joel Brehm of UNL, “Is there a casino in Philadelphia we can go to?”

Photo captions:

Marsha Morien and her useful, free pedometer.

University motorcycle mommas and pappas: Liz Kumru, UNMC public affairs employee and winner of a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster Softail, poses for a photo in the Pennsylvania booth at the BIO convention in Boston. Here Kumru is shown with (from left to right): Sandy Goetzinger-Comer (UNMC), Kelly Bartling, UNL, Joel Brehm, UNL, Jill Hochstein, UNL, and Vicky Cerino, UNMC.

Michael Dixon, Ph.D., of UNeMed.

BIO 2007: BIO factoid

On an average day at Bio, convention-goers log many walking miles to the point of sheer exhaustion. Novo Nordisk, a major sponsor of the convention, gave out pedometers. Marsha Morien of UNMC, said she logged 5.6 miles on Tuesday.

BIO 2007: What do you know about Nebraska?

Some of those who visited Nebraska’s pavilion at Bio were asked that question. Here are their responses:

Jesse Ledger of ACIC in Brantford, Ontario, Canada

“I think of our IT (information technology) manager. He goes to Nebraska every summer to visit his family and golf.”

Troy Gobbett, Preclinomics of Indianapolis

I don’t know a lot about Nebraska. I always have a good time when I’m there though.”

Peter Bottachiari of Wako Chemicals in Cambridge, Mass.

I think of Omaha Steaks. I order them a lot — constantly. In college my mother used to send me care packages of Omaha Steaks.

Robbin Beauchamp, Roger Williams University of Bristol, Rhode Island

“I honestly don’t know anything about Nebraska. But I’ve tasted the steaks and they are excellent.”

Andre Wan of Singapore

“I think midwest. For some reason, Mutual of Omaha comes to mind. And I know more because I’ve been your neighbor here at Bio.”

Photo caption: A conference-goer stops by to register for Omaha Steaks and receives free Mannheim Steamroller Steak Salt.

BIO 2007: What value does BIO hold?

Mike Dixon, Ph.D., director of intellectual property for UNeMed, UNMC’s technology transfer organization, said Bio gives UNeMed access to leaders in the biotechnology industry. Most states or countries serious about biotechnology mostly are represented at Bio.

The real benefit of Bio, said Dr. Dixon, is the personal interaction.”We’re able to build relationships and promote technology so they’ll remember us and the technology we have.”

“All the companies we want to talk to are here,” Dr. Dixon said. “It’s access we wouldn’t have anywhere else. It gives us an opportunity for face-to face meetings and to solidify relationships and let them know we are serious.”  In addition, he said the biotechnology sessions are excellent. “We hear what the hot new areas of biotech are and that allows us to position ourselves to be more exciting to industry,” Dr. Dixon said.

One of the many things he learned more about was patent reform — a big issue. He said the Supreme Court handed down two big decisions in the past 12 months. “The decisions could change things radically. Universities are very concerned about it. It would greatly change our patent protection strategy.”

“It’s great to see the industry doing so well,” he said. “It’s pretty easy to recognize that biotech is the wave of the future.”

BIO 2007: Nebraska Omaha North biotechnology science teacher receives award in Boston during BIO convention

by Sandy Goetzinger-Comer

Nebraskans attending a luncheon where Michael J. Fox spoke were surprised when during an awards ceremony it was announced that a biotechnology science teacher from Omaha North High School won a first place award. Leann Vaughan won the Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award.

Besides teaching, Vaughan’s responsibilities include outreach to teachers and students, as well as the biotechnology industry in Nebraska.

Bob Adamson of the Agricultural Biotechnology Enrichman Program, was one of nine judges of the Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award, which was presented May 5.

“We were looking for teaching excellence in the classroom as well as community outreach and impact on students and teachers in the community,” Adamson said. “We had two days of judging on site including the submission of a video of their teaching practice in the classroom and a 10-mintue oral presentation that highlights their leadership qualities.”

Nominators said  Vaughan is an excellent teacher who has impacted many, many teachers in Nebraska. They cited her, “Enthusiasm, knowledge of biotechnology and her understanding of learning practice. Her ability to connect with others is incredible. She’s dynamic,” wrote nominators.

The BIO institute has a stringent review process. The judges are from Harvard and industry leaders including Invitrogen and Genzyme.

Photo: Bob Adamson and Leann Vaughan.

BIO 2007: Blog by Leann Vaughan, Omaha North recipient of Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award

I found out in March that I was one of 10 finalists selected for the award. I arrived in Boston last Thursday in order to participate in the final judging sessions. Friday we spent the day in a practice/critique session that allowed each of the finalists the opportunity for feedback, prior to our final judging. The time spent on Friday, and during the all-day judging sessions on Saturday, led to amazing bonds formed with the other finalists from around the country. As a group, we attended all functions together and also got together for socialization outside of the scheduled events. The relationships formed will continue long into the future.

We attended a reception on Saturday evening where the winners were announced. It was an incredible honor to be selected from a group of educators who were so accomplished. In fact, I was in such shock that I found it difficult to make my acceptance speech. On Monday, I was recognized at the Genzyme luncheon where I spoke to a group of over 5,000 industry leaders. It was amazing to be recognized by Genzyme and Invitrogen, two companies that have had such a major positive impact on human life. I thanked the industry for their support of education, explaining that our students must understand the science in order to participate in this exciting time of biotechnology. Not only will our students become the future problem-solvers; they are our future voters; and our future workforce.

One of the highlights of my experiences was seeing Michael J. Fox as I waited to go on stage to accept my award. I was very moved by his courage and perseverance. He is truly a role-model and gives inspiration to so many.

BIO 2007: Close encounter with U-2’s Bono

The Nebraska booth created a buzz when it saw Bono from the U-2 rock group roaming the aisles at the BIO convention. Quickly, I shamelessly made a beeline towards Bono to ask if we could take his picture at the Nebraska booth. He willingly walked back with me. When we got there my colleagues were just as surprised to see Bono as I. Soon, others noticed Bono and joined in the photo and autograph opportunity. We had a paparazzi moment complete with the giddiness that accompanies being in the presence of a celebrity. Bono even talked about the reason for attending Bio. He spewed some quotes about seeing a marriage “between biotechnology and humanity.”

Still, some of us were skeptical whether he was real. Kelly Bartling, who had met the real Bono at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said she thought it might be him but later she and some colleagues went online to discover it was an impersonator. The impersonator reportedly was hired by the Montreal, Canada group. So much for meeting Bono.

Photo: Part of the Nebraska BIO group poses with Bono of U-2.

BIO 2007: Nebraskans among 20,000 at 2007 BIO convention in Boston

by Vicky Cerino

The Atlantic Ocean surrounding the airport was the first clue we weren’t in Nebraska anymore. In the distance you can see the John Hancock insurance building, the tallest in Boston, towering over the city.

Boston’s a fitting location for the 2007 Biotechnology Industry Organization’s Convention. It’s home to many drug companies and biotechnology companies. The city holds a prominent place in history as well. Many of our forefathers and other prominent characters of the American Revolution have a place here.

This was the home of Paul Revere, who claimed, “The British Are Coming, The British Are Coming.”

Well, the British are back. They are part of the more than 20,000 people attending Bio from around the world.

The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center was abuzz with activity even before the formal opening of Bio. The Nebraska Pavilion was, like the state, was surrounded by other states’ pavilions. We feel right at home with the Kansas pavilion right across the aisle.

A lively mob of officials kicked off the world’s largest biotechnology convention in their sunflower-decorated booth. A state senator threw out a ceremonial baseball pitch to kick off the convention. Their show is going on here despite the devastation of the tornado that struck a few days ago.

The Nebraska contingent is on the offense, ready for the thousands expected to stop by to ask about Nebraska’s biotechnology opportunities and the Omaha Steak giveaway.

“Boy has this thing gotten formal. I used to wear shorts,” said Don Leuenberger, as he walked up to the Nebraska pavilion. The UNMC vice chancellor for business and finance was one of a handful of people from UNMC who first attended Bio in 2000. Then about 6,000 people participated.

The main focus then, said Leuenberger, was to enhance the connection between science and academia. “Now it’s economic development if you look down on the business floor. “Nebraska has to be here to compete on the same level as everyone else. And I think we have the ability to compete as well as anyone else.”

Marc Eichenberger, CEO of Allied Minds, a venture capital company in the Boston-area, was at Bio to visit with officials from UNMC and UNeMed, UNMC’s technology transfer organization, and to conduct other business at Bio.

One of UNMC’s featured technologies is an invention by UNMC researcher, Elliott Bedows, Ph.D. The technology was licensed and purchased by Allied Minds.

“We’re meeting with our university partners, potential industry partner and learning what’s new,” Eichenberger said. “We think it’s quite important for a number of our subsidiaries to be present at Bio. It’s important to get their name out.”

Photo: From left to right: Allied Minds’ Marc Eichenberger and Chris Silva, with UNMC’s Tom McDonald, Ph.D., Annika Weber and Don Leuenberger.

Top of story: The Boston Skyline.

Middle of story: The Nebraska Pavilion at Bio in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Bottom: The U.S.S. Constitution.

Paul Revere’s House.

Paul Revere’s tomb.

Also see Bio International Convention or to see more photos of the convention.

BIO 2007: There is no place like Nebraska

Stopping by the Nebraska Pavilion at the Bio convention isn’t all about business. The pavilion is a magnet for native Nebraskans and those who once worked, lived, and went to college in Nebraska. Visiting the booth is one way of connecting with the familiar among thousands of strangers. It’s like seeing an old friend, and like being back home in Nebraska.

Leonard Agneta, attorney and Maine Patent program director, was at the pavilion for a visit. He once staffed the Nebraska booth at Bio as director of technology transfer, until he left UNMC in 2005. He said he loved his time in Nebraska. “It was fantastic. A great place to raise children. I have four.”

David O’Connor, of the University of New England, has a sister who lives in Nebraska (he couldn’t exactly remember the name of the town but it’s in west Nebraska).

And Fred Regnier, of Purdue University, stopped by. He’s working at the Purdue University booth. “I saw your sign from up above and thought I’d stop by and see what you’re doing.” He’s from Diller, Neb., which is between Fairbury and Beatrice.

Lois Ullman was checking out some of the hundreds of booths around the convention center. “Your sign’s pretty cool,” she said as she walked up to the Nebraska Pavilion for the first time. I’ve been to small events, but never anything of this magnitude.”

She was checking in at her “home base” here at Bio. The spouse of Darrell Ullman, Nebraska Department of Economic Development licensing and patenting manager, isn’t here on a vacation. She and Darrell, along with other Nebraskans, will attend many business and social meetings designed to establish and build partnerships. Tonight they will meet with Japanese biopharmaceutical companies at a reception hosted by the Japanese.

BIO 2007: A Small World — Omaha Teacher Wins Top Honor for Excellence in Biotechnology Education

BOSTON — The Biotechnology Institute today announced LeeAnn Vaughan, a teacher at Omaha North High School as the recipient of the Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award, the nation’s top award for biotechnology education. The award, sponsored by Genzyme Corporation and Invitrogen Corporation, was presented at the Biotechnology Institute’s Annual Conference on Biotechnology Education in Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday, May 5. The education conference annually precedes the BIO International Convention.

Established by the Biotechnology Institute, the national biotechnology education organization, the award recognizes premier high school level educators who provide an array of expertise to help improve the teaching and learning of biotechnology in their classrooms.

“LeeAnn represents the best of the teachers we work with every day,” says Paul A. Hanle, president of the Biotechnology Institute. “These dynamic teachers are sharing their passion about science and biotechnology and energizing the next generation of biotechnology innovators.”

Ten finalists were identified from a nationwide applicant pool from among more than one thousand educators in the Biotechnology Institute’s National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program. Vaughan, who received an award of $10,000, was chosen by a panel of judges for her proven leadership and excellence as an educator, her commitment to furthering the teaching of biotechnology by outreach to other educators, and the development of innovative ways to teach biotechnology.