Washington DC Panel Discussion
“NIH Research Driving the Life Sciences Century”
A Panel Discussion
June 22, 2009
Michelle McMurry, MD, PhD, of the Aspen Institute Speaks about the Promise of Pharmacogenomics
On June 22, 2009, a strong crowd of Members of Congress, Hill staff, reporters and NIH/medical research supporters filled the Congressional Budget Committee hearing room on Capitol Hill to hear UMR’s panel discussion about the need and benefits of steady increases in NIH funding, over time.
Kacy Redd, PhD and APLU Policy Research Associate and Jeff Liberman, host of Discovery Channel's Time Warp
Speakers touched on the needs of scientific research including the long-term investment that science requires to deliver real benefits to society. And they discussed the passion and commitment of young scientists – who are those most likely to bring forward groundbreaking new discoveries – but who most often remain unfunded.
The discussion also touched upon the immense opportunities and new demands that arise out of $10 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for NIH.
Dr. Valle, MD, Professor & Director of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins Speaks About Opportunities and Demands of ARRA Funding
Finally, panelists gave us a glimpse into the future – speaking about some of the most promising areas of life sciences research – including pharmacogenomics and new channels into cancer research that will lead to significant new treatments.
Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, MD, MACP Deputy Chief Medical Officer, American Cancer Society discussed long-term investments in life sciences and the potential for newly-identified channels in cancer research.
The panel included:
Featuring: Jeff Lieberman, moderator
Host of Discovery Channel’s Time Warp
J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, MACP
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
American Cancer Society
Michelle McMurry MD, PhD
Health, Biomedical Science, and Society Policy Program Director
Aspen Institute
Kacy Redd, PhD
Research Associate, Science & Mathematics Education Policy
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
David Valle, MD
Henry J. Knott Professor and Director
McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
