The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences Hosts Tour Stop for 2008 N.C. Science Blogging Conference

Research Triangle Park, NC, January 11, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences (www.thehamner.org), has announced that the organization will host a tour stop for the 2008 North Carolina Science Blogging Conference on Friday, Jan. 18 from 2-4 p.m. The Hamner tour stop will feature a demonstration by Dr. Russell Thomas, director of the Center for Genomic Biology and Bioinformatics at The Hamner. Dr. Thomas will present attendees with an in-depth look into how genomic technologies can be applied to study chemicals that cause toxicity.

The 2008 N.C. Science Blogging Conference is a free, open and public event for scientists, educators, students, journalists, bloggers and anyone interested in discussing science communication, education and literacy on the Web. The event is organized by BlogTogether, a community of bloggers in North Carolina who gather together to explore online communication and personal expression, and will continue with a number of tour stops at prestigious science-based North Carolina organizations throughout 2008.

The inaugural N.C. Science Blogging Conference was held on Jan. 20, 2007 at UNC-Chapel Hill. Guest speakers included Hunt Willard, director of the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, and Janet Stemwedel, professor, physical scientist and popular science blogger. For more information on BlogTogether and the N.C. Science Blogging Conference, visit wiki.blogtogether.org.

“The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences is pleased to participate in the 2008 N.C. Science Blogging Conference,” said Dr. William F. Greenlee, President and CEO of The Hamner. “Dr. Thomas’ experience makes him a natural choice to lead the lab demonstration for the conference.”

About Dr. Russell Thomas:
At The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Dr. Thomas uses genomic technologies to study how molecular and cellular processes are perturbed when an organism is exposed to chemicals or drugs. After earning a B.A. in 1991 in chemistry from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, Dr. Thomas went on to earn an M.S. in 1993 in radioecology and health physics from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. He earned a Ph.D. in 1997 in toxicology from Colorado State University. Dr. Thomas did his postdoctoral research in genomics and molecular biology at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to his position at The Hamner, Dr. Thomas was a scientist at Kalypsys, Inc., in La Jolla, California.

About The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences:
Located on a 56-acre campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences is an independent, nonprofit organization that unites academia, the private sector and government to conduct translational research for improved human health assessments. With the ultimate goal of preventing and curing disease, The Hamner offers an open, collaborative and cross-disciplinary approach to strengthen the research investment in biomedical sciences. The Hamner conducts translational research for improved human health through the development of new and safer medicines. CIIT, the flagship institute for The Hamner, has been recognized for more than 30 years as a leader in research in environmental risk assessment and health sciences. For more information, please visit www.thehamner.org or call (919) 558-1215.

Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
919-233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com
PR Firms Raleigh, NC

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