January 7,  2008

Dr. John Blangero

Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research

The Cutting Edge of Genetic Research

Chair of the Day: Mary Flanagan

John Blangero is not a conventional research scientist – a fact that is immediately apparent by his look of a rock musician.  He also challenges the ordinary, the accepted, the status quo – and that has served him well as his innovation has “rocked” what has historically been a conservative world – that of biomedical research.  He is the primary developer of the software that is used by more than 3,000 researchers worldwide to identify genes that influence the risk of disease.  Dr. Blangero, world renowned for this work as a statistical geneticist, is the director of the AT&T Genomics Computing Center at Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR).  Established just over 6 years ago, this powerful center contains more than 4,000 computer servers – the largest cluster in the world dedicated to genomics.  This powerful computational resource allows analyses that once took months to be completed in only minutes, dramatically accelerating the speed of gene discovery for complex diseases of major public health impact.  In the last five years, the specialized facilities of the AT&T Genomics Computing Center have allowed SFBR geneticists to make dramatic progress in localizing and identifying genes which influence heart disease, diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, behavioral and psychiatric disorders, cancer and osteoporosis.

Dr. Blangero began his research career at SFBR in 1986 as a postdoctoral fellow after receiving his PhD from Case Western Reserve University in Population Genetics.  He has been honored with t as a Health Care Innovator, and locally is a member of the San Antonio Science and Technology Hall of Fame.

SFBR is one of the leading independent biomedical research institutions in the United States.  Located on a campus of more than 300 acres at West Loop 410 and Military Drive in San Antonio, Texas, SFBR prides itself in being an important part of the research and technology community in this region.  SFBR is the vision of the late Thomas Baker Slick, Jr., a rancher, oilman and businessman, who founded SFBR in 1941.  Today, the Foundation is recognized within scientific and academic communities worldwide for the quality of its basic research into the nature, causes, prevention, and eradication of disease.   

Make Reservations Now to See T. Boone Pickens!

The club is pleased to welcome T. Boone Pickens as our guest speaker on Wednesday, January 14.  Mr. Pickens will speak about his energy plan for America—The Pickens Plan. 

The Pickens Plan is a bridge to the future — a blueprint to reduce foreign oil dependence by harnessing domestic energy alternatives, and buy us time to develop even greater new technologies.

Due to the large number of reservations already received, the meeting will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.  The price of the luncheon is included in the meal plan.  The cost for exempt members and guests is $30.  The hotel is providing discounted parking at the hotel for $5.00.

Tables of 10 are available for $500.  Table buyers will get preferred seating.

Invite your friends, colleagues and family to this special program.  Everyone can attend but reservations are necessary.  No tickets will be sold at the door.

T. Boone Pickens Luncheon

Date: January 14

Place: Grand Hyatt Hotel

Discounted parking of $5

available at the Grand Hyatt.

Time: 12:00

We ask that everyone be

seated no later than 11:45

Cost: Included in meal plan for

Rotarians

$30 for exempt members

and guests

Get preferred seating by buying a table of 10 seats for $500

Contact the Rotary office at 222-8242, x101 or email assistant@rotarysa.org to make your reservations. 

Reservation deadline is

Tuesday, Jan 6.

Welcome Back!

We’re pleased to welcome back two familiar faces to the club.  They took a break but now they’re back.

Kyle Amadon

HEALTH CLUBS: Private

Spectrum Health Club

General Manager

Phone: 354-1900

Email: kamadon@spectrumclubs.com

Larry Regester

Retired

Phone: 344-3294

Shadow Day has been Revamped

The club’s annual Shadow Day program has been moved to Wednesday, February 4 this year.  That’s not the only change.  This year, Rotarians and shadows will be randomly matched to give the students a broader view of the business world.  We will also be focusing on Diploma Plus students. 

Volunteers are needed! Sign up today to be part of this exciting program.

Contact the Rotary office at 222-8242 or email to assistant@rotarysa.org