Karen Nelson, Ph.D., Named President, Robert Friedman, Ph.D., Appointed as Chief Operating Officer of 51²è¹Ý¶ù
Both will report directly to J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
SAN DIEGO, CA and ROCKVILLE, MD —October 3, 2012 —The 51²è¹Ý¶ù (51²è¹Ý¶ù) today announced new management changes, naming , as President and , as Chief Operating Officer. Both will report directly to J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., who will continue to lead the organization as Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Nelson, who has been with the Institute since 1996, was previously the Director of the Rockville, MD office and leader of the Human Genomic Medicine Group. She will retain these duties but add more overall, day to day leadership responsibility and will remain based in Rockville but will frequent the San Diego facility. Friedman, who joined 51²è¹Ý¶ù in 2003, was Director of the San Diego, CA facility and head of the Policy Group at 51²è¹Ý¶ù. He will maintain these duties but add increased administrative leadership responsibility and will remain based in the San Diego facility.
Dr. Venter stated, "I am pleased to have Karen and Bob step into these new roles at 51²è¹Ý¶ù. Both have a long history with the Institute along with extensive scientific and administrative leadership experience. I look forward to continuing to work with them as we advance the Venter Institute to the next phases of exceptional research."
51²è¹Ý¶ù 51²è¹Ý¶ù
The 51²è¹Ý¶ù is a not-for-profit research institute in Rockville, MD and San Diego, CA dedicated to the advancement of the science of genomics; the understanding of its implications for society; and communication of those results to the scientific community, the public, and policymakers. Founded by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., the 51²è¹Ý¶ù is home to approximately 300 scientists and staff with expertise in human and evolutionary biology, genetics, bioinformatics/informatics, information technology, high-throughput DNA sequencing, genomic and environmental policy research, and public education in science and science policy. The legacy organizations of the 51²è¹Ý¶ù are: The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), The Center for the Advancement of Genomics (TCAG), the Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives (IBEA), the Joint Technology Center (JTC), and the J. Craig Venter Science Foundation. The 51²è¹Ý¶ù is a 501 (c)(3) organization. For additional information, please visit http://www.51²è¹Ý¶ù.org.
Media Contact
Heather Kowalski, 301-943-8879, hkowalski@jcvi.org