Congressional Briefing: The Urgent Need To Advance RNA Science

On May 8, 2024, leading scientists came together for an educational session about the fascinating potential of RNA to treat incurable diseases; safeguard the nation from bioterrorist threats; lead the world in next-gen data storage capabilities; and improve global food security in a changing climate.
About the Speakers
- Welcome by Vivian Cheung, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Michigan
- Introduction by Mukesh K. Jain, MD, Senior Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Brown University
- Opening Remarks by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)
- Brian Gregory, PhD, a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Biology who is developing methods that could make plants more resilient against climate change.
- Olgica Milenkovic, PhD, a University of Illinois Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering who is pioneering methods to use DNA and RNA as a data storage technique.
- Ryan Morhard, JD, Senior Director for Policy and Partnerships at Ginkgo Bioworks where he engages on issues at the nexus of biotechnology and sustainability, health, and security.
- Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, a University of Pennsylvania Professor in Vaccine Research and co-winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine for discoveries that enabled the modified mRNA technology used in the vaccines to prevent COVID-19.