Dr. Jennifer Doudna for a special Keynote Speaker Series talk on October 3rd at NYU!

Topic: “CRISPR Biology and the Future of Genome Editing”

Fundamental research to understand how bacteria fight viral infections uncovered the function of CRISPR-Cas programmable proteins that detect and cut specific DNA or RNA sequences. CRISPR technology is now an indispensable tool in human, animal and agricultural research. Furthermore, the FDA’s approval of a CRISPR therapy for sickle cell disease marked the beginning of a new era in healthcare. Dr. Doudna will discuss the scientific and societal advances that will expand both the applications and impact of genome editing across the globe.

Bio: Dr. Jennifer Doudna is the Li Ka Shing Chancellor’s Chair and a Professor in the Departments of Chemistry and of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her groundbreaking development of CRISPR-Cas9 as a genome-engineering technology, with collaborator Emmanuelle Charpentier, earned the two the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and forever changed the course of human and agricultural genomics research.

This powerful technology enables scientists to change DNA — the code of life — with a precision only dreamed of just a few years ago. Labs worldwide have re-directed the course of their research programs to incorporate this new tool, creating a CRISPR revolution with huge implications across biology and medicine.

In addition to her scientific achievements, Doudna is a leader in public discussion of the ethical implications of genome editing for human biology and societies, and advocates for thoughtful approaches to the development of policies around the safe use of CRISPR technology.

Doudna is an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, senior investigator at Gladstone Institutes and the founder of the Innovative Genomics Institute. She co-founded and serves on the advisory panel of several companies that use CRISPR technology in unique ways.

She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Inventors and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Doudna is also a Foreign Member of the Royal Society, a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and has received numerous other honors including the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2015), the Japan Prize (2016), Kavli Prize (2018), the LUI Che Woo Welfare Betterment Prize (2019) and the Wolf Prize in Medicine (2020). Doudna’s work led TIME magazine to recognize her as one of the “100 Most Influential People” in 2015 and a runner-up for “Person of the Year” in 2016. She is the co-author of A Crack in Creation, a personal account of her research and the societal and ethical implications of gene editing.

We encourage you to join us for this insightful talk. RSVP to secure your spot!

📅 Date: October 3
🕒 Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📍 Location: NYU Law School, 40 Washington Square S, Greenberg Lounge

A person’s ZIP code has been shown to have a greater impact on health and well-being than their genetic code, affecting access to education, transportation, and wealth. How is this possible? The provocative documentary ZIP Code Matters boldly asks the question and gets profound and insightful answers from some of the nation’s leading policymakers, nonprofit executives, public health officials and social justice activists.

Join the documentary’s writer and director, Sena Mourad Friedman, and Davon Russell, President of the Bronx’s Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) for a community discussion following the film screening.

Bios:

Sena Mourad Friedman, a civil rights advocate, formerly served as V.P. at the Fair Housing Center, directing the acclaimed documentary “Zip Code Matters” to expose systemic discrimination. With a Fair Housing Movement and TV industry background, she actively contributes to Toledo’s community as a leader, consultant, and board member. Currently, she chairs the Home for Everyone CoC Board, serves on the Lucas County Mental Health Recovery Services Board, and is a member of the Toledo NAACP, where she leads the Housing Committee. Recognized with prestigious awards such as the Ohio Leadership Award, The Walter P. Reuther Community Service Award, and the Jiminy Cricket Environmental Award from Disney for her commitment to the environment, Sena’s impact on Union Memorial Park was acknowledged with the CityScape award in 2001. Presently, she is a consultant, actively contributing to creating vibrant communities.

Davon Russell is a lifelong educator and mentor who believes in the transformative power of early childhood and youth education and the arts. Prior to becoming WHEDco’s President in 2017, Davon had long combined his love for the arts with support, guidance, mentoring and educating for youth. He began his career at WHEDco in 1997 as a part-time after school teacher and steadily rose through the organization over 20 years, serving as Executive Vice President since 2010. Under Davon’s leadership, WHEDco’s youth programs—serving infants, toddlers, school-age youth, and teens— have helped tens of thousands of young people build their skills, access resources, develop their creative and innovative potential, and become leaders. Davon is the co-founder and Board Chair of the South Bronx Early College Academy Charter School and serves on the Boards of Bronx Lacrosse and DreamYard. He is a Captain in the founding coalition of the Bronx Community Relief Effort.

Jeanmarie Evelly wasnamed City Limits’ Executive Editor in February 2021. Prior to that, after joining the staff in 2018, she served as youth program manager/reporter, deputy editor and managing editor. She came to City Limits as a veteran metro reporter, having served as a reporter/producer at DNAinfo.com New York covering Astoria and Long Island City. She spent several years reporting for community newspapers in the Bronx, including the award-winning Norwood News. She holds a B.A. in English from SUNY New Paltz, a master’s degree from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and an MFA in poetry from CUNY Queens College.

RSVP

This event is not organized by the Center for Bioethics please reach out to the Bronx Documentary Center if you have any questions.  

Nancy N. Dubler Medical Ethics Lecture Series presents: “Light and Shadow: The Ethics of Writing Fiction about Medical Ethics” – 5/13, 12pm-1pm ET with Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPH HCEC-C

Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPH HCEC-C (he/him/his)
Chief, Division of General Pediatrics
Leader, EthicsLab@CHOP Research Affinity Group
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Professor of Pediatrics, Medical Ethics and Health Policy
The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Light and Shadow: A Novel of Pediatric Internship provides a fictional account of the experience of caring for children with serious illness and their families across 12 long months of training. In this talk, Dr. Feudtner will read passages of the book that illustrate ethical content and themes, including moral choices that patients, parents, and clinicians confront and the (aspirational) professional journey of intentionally developing virtues over time.

Moderated by: Linda Granowetter, MD

Monday, May 13th: 12:00pm – 1:00pm ET

Zoom Link