Bayer Sponsors Annual UCB Lecture in Biochemical Engineering
4/7/2008
Engineering Challenges of Protein Formulations
Earlier this year, the UC Berkeley Department of Chemical Engineering hosted the 2008 Bayer Lecture in Biochemical Engineering. Theodore W. Randolph, Gillespie Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder, was the Bayer lecturer. The annual lecture, held in the UCB Pitzer Auditorium, was attended by chemical engineering faculty, graduate students and postdocs, as well as invited guests from Bayer.
Since 1996, Bayer has generously funded this special event, providing the UCB Department of Chemical Engineering an opportunity to bring a highly regarded researcher in biochemical engineering to the campus to speak about his/her work and to interact with faculty, ChemE students (both undergraduate and graduate) and members of the Bayer research community.
At this year’s opening lecture, Joerg Heidrich, Global Head of Product Supply Biotech and the Berkeley Site Head, delivered a speech before handing this year’s honorarium to Dr. Randolph. After describing how Bayer has quickly become an industry and Bay Area leader in biotechnology, he then spoke about how these types of programs are an important part of our overall commitment to science education at all levels.
“Whether it’s our commitment toward improving local science programs in Berkeley schools or sponsoring higher education lectures, we truly believe that partnering across academic and industry boundaries is a meaningful way to improve science education at all levels,” said Joerg. “We already face a shortage of scientists in this country, so whether they ultimately work for Bayer or another biotech company, the industry as a whole is strengthened by our efforts."
Professor Randolph, a Berkeley chemical engineering alumnus, continued the program by discussing the Engineering Challenges of Protein Formulations.
A catered reception, also sponsored by Bayer, immediately followed the lecture. In addition, a special dinner was held in honor of Professor Randolph, which took place at Berkeley’s Downtown Restaurant. Nearly the entire UCB Chemical Engineering faculty attended the dinner, as did invited Bayer guests.
Bayer attendees included Joerg Heidrich, Peter Kramer, Sunil Gupta, Baisong Mei, Paul Wu, Scott Probst, Lesbeth Rodriguez, Mike Jayasekera, DQ Wang, Shengjiang Liu, Marly Eidsness, Heiner Apeler and UCB chemical engineering alumnus Matt Croughan.
