Sigma-Tau TMP Team Represents KGI at BIO International Convention in Boston
The 2011–2012 Sigma-Tau TMP team recently traveled to Boston for the BIO International Convention on behalf of KGI’s Center for Rare Disease Therapies. The team, consisting of Lauren Breslin, Abimbola Onikoro, Laurett Rivera and Hrishikesh Thakur, participated in breakout sessions in conjunction with the convention’s Orphan Disease Forum, which included topics such as “Succeeding in Rare Diseases: A Collaborative Approach” and “Rare Diseases: Orphaned but Not Alone.” Dr. Ian Phillips, the team’s advisor, funded the students’ trip through the Center for Rare Disease Therapies.
Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the conference included 16,505 industry leaders from 49 states and 65 countries and featured speakers who addressed critical global health challenges as well as top issues in biotechnology.
“My time at the BIO International Convention was a valuable addition to my education at KGI,”" Breslin said. “I especially enjoyed listening to top executives comment on potential business models for orphan disease therapies during the Orphan Disease Forum. One panelist mentioned the importance of patient involvement and social media to rare disease research, which was a critical element in my team’s master project this past year.”
For their TMP, Breslin and her teammates focused on the economical and qualitative impact of a rare disease known as Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC).