Every January, AZBIO.Org polls its community to identify areas and issues that will continue to support the growth of the AZ Biosciences Industry. AZBIO.org's President and CEO, Joan Koerber-Walker has been in this leadership role for just under two years and already adding to her impressive career track record for getting results.
Joan shared that as a leader she knows the importance of getting out in the field to see and understand what needs to be done. Joan covered thousands of miles by car to see first-hand what was happening in the biosciences throughout Arizona.
To ask the right questions to lead an industry forward, AZBio.org benefited by chosing Joan Koerber-Walker as their leader. Her credentials include former CEO of the AZ Small Business Association, on the Board of Trustees of the NSBA in Washington, D.C., Chairman of the Advisory Board of Parenting Arizona, the state's largest parent education and child abuse prevention organization, Board of Directors of the Arizona Technology Council and Chairman of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation.
Many outside the state of Arizona ask what makes Arizona so different in what they have been able to achieve in the bioscience industry and that answer according to Joan includes "There is a supportive, collaborative climate for the biosciences in the state of Arizona. Research indicates strong growth of the private sector biosciences innovation and collaboration with Arizona's Universities and research institutions. "
At the end of October, AZBio.org presented the industry AZBIO Awards which is recognized as Arizona's Premier Bioscience Event in Phoenix. As we move into this year and beyond, many of the new advances in the biosciences will begin to be available.
Global Cancer DX, recipients of a Fast Lane Award, is now offering a blood test for smokers and former smokers which can detect early-stage lung cancer when the disease is more easily treated resulting in a much higher survival rate.
Iron Horse Diagnostics is located in Tempe, AZ.and will offer rapid and accurate diagnosis of ALS performed in one day at a cost of hundreds of dollars, not thousands.
The 2012 AZBio Centennial Award Winner was United States Senator Jon Kyl. Senator Kyl is serving his third and final term in the U.S. Senate after previously serving for eight years in the House of Representatives.
Senator Kyl has been a strong proponent of step-by-step solutions for health-care reform that can improve access, lower costs, and preserve the sacred doctor-patient relationship.
David S. Alberts,M.D., and Raymond L. Woosley, M.D, PhD both received AZBio Pioneer Awards. Dr. Alberts was recognized for a lifetime of service for his many achievements in the battle against cancer, and for his leadership throughout Arizona.
Dr. Alberts is currently Regents Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, Nutritional Science, and Public Health at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, and Director of the Arizona Cancer Center. According to AZBio.org, "The emphasis of his laboratory-based and clinical research has been on the chemoprevention and treatment of such pervasive and potentially deadly diseases as cancer of the breast, colon, ovary, and skin."
Raymond L. Woosley, M.D., Ph.D, received his AZBio Pioneer Award in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished service and for his achievements in clearing the path for life saving innovations.
From the AZBio Awards we learned that, "Under Dr. Woosley's leadership, C Path(Critical Path Institute) orchestrated the acceleration of medical product development through a unique collaborative process among industry, academia, and the FDA."
The Critical Path Institute received another of the Fast Lane Awards.
In the category of Bioscience Company of the Year, there were three companies as finalists: Brain State Technologies, Cord Blood Registry, and Flagship Biosciences. Flagship Biosciences provides tissue analysis solutions to over sixty biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device clients, with global programs in place for tissue-based companion diagnostics with three of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
Another Finalist in the Bioscience Company of the Year category was Brain State Technologies, a Scottsdale, AZ based company founded by Lee Gerdes, the creator of the neuro-technology brainwave optimization with Real-Time Balancing. This technology offers a non-invasive process for a wide range of applications to overcome cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges including sleep disorders, alcoholism, met addiction, and PTSD to name a few.
The work of BrainState Technologies has resulted in "the largest relational database of brain patterns on planet Earth. Brain State Technologies' patent-pending procedure compares over 48,000 brain frequencies and its patented Relational Sound (Wave Aid)program provides for ongoing process support."
Winning the Bioscience Company of the Year Award was Cord Blood Registry of Tuscon,AZ. From the AZ Bio Awards," Cord Blood Registry is the world's largest and most experienced stem cell bank. CBR stores cord blood and tissue for more than 400,000 children.
AZBio.Org will be hosting an Open House at the Cord Blood Registry Laboratories in Tuscon, Az. on Jan,22,2013. This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit the AzBio.Org site.
When Joan-Koerber Walker was named the President and CEO of AZBIO.org she said," Throughout my career I have been very lucky to have the opportunity to work with great people and organizations to achieve goals that others might have thought difficult or even impossible. "
She continued," Together with the team at AZBIO.org-our employees, our members, and our community partners-we can accelerate the growth of Arizona's biosciences and our overall economy."
Joan's words of business wisdom," Opportunity begins with conversation and builds with action."
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