NASHVILLE — Life Science Tennessee (LifeSciTN) will award Beth Harwell (R), Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, the first annual Tennessee Life Sciences Champion Award for her outstanding service to the industry. The award will be presented on November 4^th, 2011 during the closing luncheon of the LifeSciTN Annual Meeting at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

The award is given in recognition of a person that has exhibited exemplary leadership by working to increase the health and quality of life across the globe and expand the industry in Tennessee, creating high-tech, high-wage jobs for Tennesseans.

“In her service to the state, Speaker Harwell has been an ally to the life sciences industry.  She has helped to foster partnerships essential to technology transfer and commercialization,” said Joe Cook, Jr., Life Science Tennessee Board Chair.  “Her foresight in making technology, commercialization and workforce development a policy priority will benefit the Tennessee economy for years to come.”

Tennessee is home to several leading academic and research institutions such as Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As Speaker of the House, Harwell has called to attention the need for increased partnerships between these institutions, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee Technology Development Corporation and others focusing on the transfer of technology from the state’s labs to the marketplace – creating jobs and investment in Tennessee. 

Harwell has been a leading voice for education reform, supporting an expansion of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education opportunities in K-12 public schools across the state. Her efforts helped to bring charter school education to Tennessee in 2009. In July 2011, STEM Preparatory Academy opened its doors in Nashville to 100 students and will grow to 400 by 2014. These education programs and others are crucial to providing the workforce necessary to sustain the growth of the life sciences industry in Tennessee.

Improving technology transfer and commercialization, enhancing the workforce and federal policy will be the focus of this year’s meeting. In addition, Jonathan Sangster, commercial real estate consultant with CB Richard Ellis, will discuss Tennessee’s potential to recruit in the industry both nationally and internationally. Mike Druckman of Hogan Lovells will discuss reform at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the upcoming 2012 Congressional reauthorization

Click here for more information about the LifeSciTN annual meeting and a complete list of speakers.

About Life Science Tennessee

Life Science Tennessee is a statewide, member association representing companies, universities and research institutes, government groups and other business organizations. It is focused on growing the industry in Tennessee through education, networking, advocacy, alignment and partnership. Learn more at www.lifesciencetn.org. 

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