SURE-GM program welcomes first cohort

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The first cohort of 12 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the state arrived June 3 at HudsonAlpha for the Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences in Genomic Medicine (SURE-GM) program, a four-year collaboration between UAB and HudsonAlpha.
SURE-GM is an NIH training grant funded, two-year summer program for traditionally underrepresented students, aiming to increase diversity in the STEM workforce. These trainees will spend their first summer here at HudsonAlpha, learning everything from best practices in the lab to professionalism in the workplace. The following summer, they will begin a mentored-research experience at either UAB or HudsonAlpha. A continuity program during the intervening academic year will maintain engagement through regularly scheduled meetings.
Jenifer Ferguson, PhD, at HudsonAlpha will serve as the project manager. Ferguson comes to the Institute as a lifelong resident of Huntsville, only leaving the Rocket City to get her PhD at Vanderbilt University. She returned to the Tennessee Valley to teach biology at Calhoun Community College and joined HudsonAlpha’s Educational Outreach team in Spring 2019.

Any program questions or suggestions can go to jferguson@hudsonalpha.org.
To learn more about the program visit SUREGM.org.

Center for Genomic Medicine celebrates five years, plans for the future at annual symposium

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The Center for Genomic Medicine (CGM) marked its five-year anniversary at CGM’s annual symposium on the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology campus. The partnership between HudsonAlpha and the University of Alabama at Birmingham has already enabled progress on major projects like the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative (AGHI). At this year’s symposium, researchers discussed the future of the Center’s work. Continue reading “Center for Genomic Medicine celebrates five years, plans for the future at annual symposium” →

Keynote speaker at CGM symposium details research on patient-centered precision health

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Marc S. Williams, MD, delivered the keynote address at the Center for Genomic Medicine’s 2019 symposium. Williams is the director of the Geisinger Genomic Medicine Institute in Danville, Pennsylvania. He traveled to HudsonAlpha’s campus to address researchers about Geisinger’s efforts to develop patient-centered precision health data that can be used to set standards of care. Continue reading “Keynote speaker at CGM symposium details research on patient-centered precision health” →

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Genomic Medicine (SURE-GM) – A New Training Opportunity

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Diversity is the driver of innovation and organizational competitiveness; this is also true for scientific discovery. New strategies to increase the diversity of biomedical scientists engaged in genetic and genomic research are especially important in the South, where there is a large African-American population and a significant number of people who experience health care disparities.

In an effort to increase Alabama’s diversity of researchers in the field of genetics and genomics, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology have developed the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Genomic Medicine (SURE-GM) training program, tailored to undergraduate students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in Alabama.

SURE-GM is funded by a five-year, $1.2 million NIH award and is co-directed by Bruce Korf, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Genomic Officer for UAB and Greg Barsh, M.D., Ph.D., faculty chair and investigator at HudsonAlpha. Continue reading “Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Genomic Medicine (SURE-GM) – A New Training Opportunity” →

Five Years of Advancements and Successes in Genomic Medicine!

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Genomic medicine has the potential to provide us with an increased understanding of complex diseases and disorders and will play a pivotal role in the future of health care and personalized medicine. As the leaders of genomic medicine and research in the state of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology established the UAB-HudsonAlpha Center for Genomic Medicine (CGM) in 2014 to facilitate research collaborations and the development of strategic initiatives between the two institutions. The CGM brings together experts and specialists from UAB and HudsonAlpha to accelerate research discoveries and clinical advancements in genomics to provide personalized therapies and treatments. Through pilot projects, NIH grants, the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative (AGHI), training opportunities, the CGM has made advancements in genomic medicine for the people of Alabama. Continue reading “Five Years of Advancements and Successes in Genomic Medicine!” →

HUDSONALPHA TECH CHALLENGE

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HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and Urban Engine will host the second HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge on February 22-24, 2019.

This life sciences hackathon brings together existing and emerging leaders in computer science who attempt to solve challenges by using an emerging technology such as machine learning, virtual/mixed reality or blockchain technology and apply it to biotech and life science. Adam Hott, Ed.D., digital applications lead at HudsonAlpha and other HudsonAlpha researchers and educators will attend and offer their expertise for each challenge.

In 2017, the hackathon had more than 100 participants. Team “AlphaTek” was awarded the “Best in Show” prize for using blockchain technology to make medical records and genome data accessible to clinicians.

Click here to read more and Click here to register.

Date: February 22 – 24, 2019
Location: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, 601 Genome Way, Huntsville, AL
Costs: $10/participant

The HudsonAlpha Foundation receives gift for neurodegenerative research

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The Wayne, Luanne and Peri Widener Fund for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases will support HudsonAlpha’s Memory and Mobility program

There are more than 600 neurodegenerative diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is working on several fronts to identify new causes, develop early detection tools and uncover new paths to therapy to improve how we diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent these diseases. A new gift from the Wayne, Luanne and Peri Widener Fund for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases will fuel new research on these important diseases at HudsonAlpha. Read More

Written by Margetta Thomas, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, mthomas@hudsonalpha.org, 256-327-0425