Neotechs: From HeLa Cells to K-12 Education

This hour (short) panel discussion is the second in a series of discussions about Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. The term “personalized medicine” captures the imagination. As unique individuals, we gravitate toward the idea of treatment that’s tailored to “the patient”. Cell and gene therapy represents a major leap in personalized medicine.

We begin this conversation in 1951 with the story of Henrietta Lacks, the mother of the immortal cell. Then we open our discussion to the outlook of this neo-technology that promises to alter the genetic composition of cells as a way to correct disease-causing mutations. Finally, we’ll open the conversation to explore the importance tracing this industry to PreK-12 education.

Join our panelists Oliver Noel, PhD, Founder of DNA Simple and Phil Brooks, Director of STEM Workforce Partnerships, University City Science Center, as we discuss the past, present, and future value of technology and innovation in the Commonwealth. Topics will range from the history of the first immortal cell line to the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in today’s research and opportunity spaces.

Panelists:
Phil Brooks – (Director of STEM Workforce Partnerships – The Science Center)
Juliana Carvalho, PhD – CoFounder and CEO of OneSkin
Oliver Noel, PhD – Founder DNAsimple

Moderator:
Neferteri Strickland