Roanoke lecture to explore economic impact of biomedical research
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute will host a talk on how university medical research contributed to the economy in Birmingham, Ala., and lessons for the Roanoke area. The talk will be Friday, Oct. 29, at 8:30 a.m. in the large lecture room at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke.
Richard Marchase, vice president for research and economic development, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will discuss the role that universities and academic health centers play in the economic development of their communities. A cell biologist, Marchase chaired the Department of Cell Biology and was senior associate dean for research in the School of Medicine. He now oversees the university's research programs and is the primary interface for the university's economic development interactions with Birmingham, the region, and the state.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham's direct and indirect impact is estimated to be well over $4 billion annually. "The importance of an outstanding faculty base that garners research funding from the federal government and private industry and that creates the intellectual property that is at the foundation of numerous spin-off companies will be stressed," said Michael J. Friedlander, executive director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. "The success that is being achieved in Alabama provides insights that may have applicability to the future development of the Roanoke Valley area."
The NewVa Corridor Technology Council is helping to coordinate registration for the presentation. Visit the event link to register and learn more about the speaker.
Refreshments will be served at 8 a.m. The lecture is in room M203, which is on the second floor of the school of medicine.
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