Renowned Biotech Pioneer Dr. Leroy Hood
Is First Invitrogen Distinguished Lecturer
 The
College of Business in partnership with the College of Sciences
hosted Dr. Leroy Hood during the premier event for the Invitrogen
Distinguished Lecture Series on March 9.
Dr. Hood is recognized as one of the world's leading
scientists in molecular biotechnology and genomics. With his development
of the DNA gene sequencer and other automated biotechnical instrumentation,
Hood has played a crucial role in contributing to the successful
mapping of the human genome during the 1990s. His lifelong contributions
to biotechnology have earned him the prestigious Lemelson-MIT Prize
for Invention and Innovation, the 2002 Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology
and the Lasker Award in 1987. Hood is the cofounder of more than
10 companies and coholder of 14 patents.
“We were thrilled to host Dr. Leroy Hood on our
campus. Dr. Hood has a wealth of experience in the biotech arena,
particularly with regard to bringing new products to the marketplace.
It is a wonderful learning opportunity for both science and business
students to hear firsthand from someone of this high caliber,”
said Dean Gail Naughton.
Dean Gail K. Naughton - SDSU College of Business,
Matthew Giacalone, Dr. Hood, and Dean Tom Scott - SDSU College of
Sciences
The annual Invitrogen Distinguished Lecture Series
highlights Invitrogen Corporation’s investment in the local
community and its commitment to higher education in the life sciences
and business. As part of Invitrogen’s $150,000 three-year commitment,
a $25,000 fellowship will be awarded to a SDSU student participating
in the joint Life Sciences Ph.D or MBA program each year. This year’s
fellowship award winner is Matthew Giacalone who is currently working
on an innovative delivery system for oral vaccines.
In 2004, Invitrogen Corporation of Carlsbad joined
with SDSU to establish the first joint Ph.D.-MBA program in the
nation that focuses both degrees in the life sciences and features
direct involvement with biotech companies. “One of the biggest
challenges in our industry is attracting candidates who have the
skill to envision functional applications for cutting edge research,”
said Gregory Lucier, Invitrogen’s president and CEO. “The
types of candidates that companies such as ours seek out are those
who will make a tangible impact on improving the human condition.
This new program is a positive step in training skilled scientists
to become the business leaders of tomorrow.”
Invitrogen provides products and services that support
academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical
and biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to improve the
human condition. Its life science technologies improve and accelerate
all areas of research, drug discovery, and commercial bioproduction.
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