Dr. Ken Czerwinski to Speak on "Intellectual Property Opportunities in Radiochemistry" on Dec 14th

Ken Czerwinski obtained his Ph.D. in Nuclear Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1992. He was a research scientist at the Institute for Radiochemistry in Munich and then a faculty member in Nuclear Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Since 2004 he has directed the UNLV Radiochemistry Program.

Professor Czerwinski has developed the radiochemistry academic and research efforts into the largest program of its kind in the United States. The Radiochemistry Program is a nexus of international, industrial, and national laboratory scientific research that provides outstanding educational and career opportunities for UNLV students.

Please join us on Tuesday, December 14th at the NevBio luncheon at McCormick & Schmicks with Dr. Ken Czerwinski, UNLV Radiochemistry to talk about "Intellectual Property Opportunities in Radiochemistry”. Check-in is at 11:30 AM and lunch & program at 12 PM. The cost is $30. Please RSVP.

Jim Croce President of Nevada Institute on Renewable Energy Commercialization to Speak on Nov 19th

Jim Croce is the President and CEO of the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC) where he advances clean energy commercialization by overseeing seed funding and advisory support to early stage companies. Jim will be speaking on “Commercializing Research - The Key to Nevada's Future " on November 19, 2010.

Prior to NIREC, Jim served as the founding president and CEO of NextEnergy in Michigan, developing the company into one of the nation's leading clean energy technology commercialization catalysts.
Please join us on Friday, November 19th at the NevBio luncheon with Jim Croce, CEO of Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization to talk about "Commercializing Research" Check-in is at 11:30 AM and lunch & program at 12 PM. The cost is $30. Please RSVP.

Jim received a BS in electrical and computer engineering with honors from Wayne State University. His post graduate work was in business administration.

Dean of the UNLV College of Science to Speak

Dr. Tim Porter, Dean of the College of Science is speaking at NevBio luncheon on October 7th at McCormick & Schmicks. His dual topics are “Chemical & Biological Sensing & The Nevada Bioscience Roadmap”. Check-in is at 11:30 am and lunch & presentation will be at noon. The cost is $30.

Dr. Porter received his Ph.D. in physics from Arizona State University in 1988. In 1988, he became a Professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. In 22 years at NAU, Dr. Porter served as a faculty member, Department Chair, and Director of the Growing Biotechnology Initiative. He has published over 80 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, and holds 10 U.S. and international patents related to his work in the area of chemical and biological microsensors. Other research interests include low energy ion scattering, interaction of bio-molecules with layered silicates, and nano-structured materials for the storage of electrical energy.

Please register here for the luncheon

Two Patent Lawyers at NevBio Mtg at Nevada Cancer Institute

William Needle, Esq. from the Atlanta office of Ballard Spahr and Dr. Gibson Lanier, Esq. spoke at the August 5th meeting at the Nevada Cancer Institute. Needle has a BS in Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a JD from Emory and has practiced for over 39 years in patents and trademarks. Dr. Gibson Lanier served as a post-doctoral fellow at the Emory Vaccine Center. He earned his JD from Georgia State University and practices at Ballard Spahr in Atlanta.

Mr. Needle has served as lead counsel in numerous intellectual property cases such as the Cabbage Patch Kids® dolls as well as patent infringement actions involving diverse technologies. Dr. Lanier has applied his knowledge to inventions associated with molecular biology, infectious disease, immunological responses, cancer treatments, stem cells, and vaccine development.

Needle and Lanier spoke for 90 minutes about changes in the patent law and current cases. Their primary emphasis was to patent ideas before they are published. If a discovery is not patented, there is no protection for the investors. The investors are the ones that commercialize the ideas. Both attorneys have seen discoveries that are not followed up because the researcher lost their opportunity to file a patent. This is a good point for biotechnology and science researchers.

The Behind-The-Scenes Story of the Hepatitis C Outbreak in Nevada

NevBio's July 23rd meeting featured Tom Lorentzen, the former Regional Director of Health & Human Services. Mr. Lorentzen flew to Las Vegas to monitor the hepatitis outbreak for Secretary Leavitt of Health & Human Services. Lorentzen praised the Clark County Public Health Department for identifying that a problem existed in Las Vegas. The department's data normally showed two or three cases a month. All of sudden, the department noticed six reported cases. The department took quick action to find the cause of the outbreak. They sent out health inspectors to locate the problem. One noticed that vials were being reused at the Endoscopy clinic. Working with the city of Las Vegas, they closed the clinic. Although the hepatitis C outbreak gave Las Vegas a black eye for its health care, it was the leadership in the community that averted a much wider problem. A number of biotech companies are searching for cures for hepatitis C.

“Opening a New Front in the War Against Cancer"

Dr. Craig Dees, Chairman and CEO of Provectus Pharmaceuticals will be speaking to a joint meeting of NevBio and the CFA Society of Nevada on Wednesday, March 31st from 6 to 9 PM. Cocktails at 6 PM & the presentation at 7 PM. This is a Complimentary Event by the CFA Society of Nevada (The CFA Society has invited NevBio. It is part of their membership drive so invite your CFO) Seating is limited so please RSVP to timhowald@gmail.com by March 25th

The location is the Panevino Ristorante at 246 Via Antonio, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Dr. Craig Dees, Chairman & CEO of Provectus Pharmaceuticals

Craig Dees, PhD is the Chairman and CEO of Provectus Pharmaceuticals. He is also one of the founders. Craig Dees has worked at Photogen Technologies, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, LipoGen, and TechAmerica. He was a founder, senior scientist and founding director of Photogen before Provectus was formed. Craig's responsibilities have included product design and development in ethical vaccines, cosmetics, human diagnostics, and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. His development record includes the first live viral vaccine produced by recombinant DNA technologies and the first recombinant antigen human diagnostic assay.

Craig's awards include an R&D 100 for an industrial enzyme, an Inventor's Forum New Product Award for a skincare product, and a First Saber Award for outstanding research in virology. He holds a Ph.D. in molecular virology from University of Wisconsin, Madison, a Master of Science degree in immunology from Auburn University ,and a Bachelor's degree in microbiology from Brigham Young University.

Provectus is a development stage company specializing in oncology and dermatology therapies that are safer, more effective, less invasive and more economical than conventional therapies. Provectus is conducting Phase 2 clinical trials of its proprietary drugs PV-10, as a therapy for metastatic melanoma, and PH-10, as a topical treatment for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Tea & Chocolate at Touro Unviversity - January 20th

NevBio will be hosting a tasting of tea and chocolate along with a short lecture on the health benefits of green tea on Jan. 20th at Touro University. Andy Laub, Founder of Farmers Market Tea Co. and a Level III Tea Master from the Specialty Tea Institute will be giving the presentation which is based on a number of clinical studies on the health benefits of green tea.

Touro is one of the top medical schools in Nevada. In 2008 Touro University made history with the largest medical school graduating class in Nevada. The 76 students graduating with Doctor of Osteopathy degrees from the College of Osteopathic Medicine began their studies when Touro University Nevada was established in 2004. Touro University Nevada is part of Touro College, a private, non-profit, Jewish-sponsored institution. Touro’s mission is to provide quality educational programs in the fields of health care and education in concert with the Judaic commitment to social justice, intellectual pursuit, and service to humanity.

Andy Laub has given lectures on the health benefits of tea to the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine and for the Masters of Integrative Health program at National University. He has served tea for the "Zen and Art of Non-Doing" calligraphy courses taught by internationally recognized Zen philosopher and artist, Alok Hsu Kwan-han. He is a contributing editor to "The Perfect Formula Diet" a plant -based diet book based on more than 1,000 scientific studies, written by Janice Stanger Ph. D. He is certified in Thought Field Therapy and currently through Level II of Healing Touch training.

Andy was also the treasurer for VCAT, a company that managed Native American Gaming and Southwest Gas, a Las Vegas-based utility. He is currently a consultant to Native American gaming operations. (Pictured is Andy Laub and John Laub)

The Tea & Chocolate Tasting will be from 5 PM to 7 PM at Touro University located at 874 American Pacific Drive in Henderson. Tours of the medical school will be available.
Andy Laub will be making his presentation at 6 PM. There will be a charge of $10. Please RSVP to jlaub@regenmd.org