The purpose of the BioForum series of professional development programs is to organize events that inform, educate and encourage positive interactions within the Oregon bioscience community. OBA sponsors networking events, educational seminars, and informational forums on topics relevant to our industry throughout the year.

With the number of programs on the rise, we encourage you to check this page regularly to keep up-to-date on all of the OBA programs and event specifics.

We are always open to new ideas and member input as this improves our performance and thus our value to the community. Feel free to share your feedback, comments, concerns or ideas with us.

Here are our upcoming events:

Eugene BioForum: Leveraging Successful Research Partnerships

When: April 14, 2010; from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Where: Life Technologies, 29851 Willow Creek Rd, Eugene, OR 97402-9132; in "J" Auditorium

Over the past few years, research collaborations have emerged as a key to moving bioscience research forward. Collaborating with outside organizations including federal agencies can bring numerous benefits to those involved, but how are successful research partnerships created, managed and maintained? Whether you are a researcher or a business professional, whether you work at a university/medical center, small company or large company, there is significant value that can be gained by partnering and collaborating with others. Come learn from three experts in the field who have had success with collaborative projects. All three come with different experiences and will offer their unique perspectives on success.  Our speakers include Dr. Robert Jordan, Senior Director of Antiviral Research at SIGA Technologies, Inc and Chair of OTRADI. SIGA designs and develops novel countermeasuresto prevent and treat serious infectious diseases, with an emph asis on biological warfare defense ( www.siga.com ). John Audette is CEO of MitoSciences, Inc., the leading developer of mitochondrial antibodies, mitochondrial assays, and products and services for mitochondrial toxicity screening ( www.mitosciences.com). Nathan Lillegard is CEO of Floragenex, a Eugene company bringing powerful SNP discovery capabilities to researchers working in any species, with or without a reference genome. (www.floragenex.com )
 
Cost is $10.00. Click Here to register 

BioForum: Leveraging Successful Research Partnerships

When:  Thursday, January 21st, 2010 7:300 - 9:00am
Where:  Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, PacWest Center, 1211 SW 5th Ave, Suite 1900, Portland, OR 97204

Governmental changes began a little more than five years ago to change the way bioscience research is conducted in the United States.  Over the past few years, research collaborations have emerged as a key to moving such research forward.  Collaborating with outside organizations can bring numerous benefits to those involved, but how are successful research partnerships created, managed and maintained?  Whether you are a researcher or a business professional, whether you work at a university/medical center, small company or large company, there is significant value that can be gained by partnering and collaborating with others.  Come learn from three experts in the field who have had success with research collaborations.  All three come with different experiences and will offer their unique perspectives on success. 

Our speakers include Dr. Srinivasa R. Nagalla principal founder and CEO of Diabetomics, LLC a medical diagnostics company focused on diabetes and metabolic disease (www.Diabetomics.com).  Dr Kenton W. Gregory is the director of the Oregon Medical Laser Center at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.  Dana Bostrom is the Director of Innovation & Industry Alliances for Portland State University, and is the founder of PSU's efforts in innovation management.

Cost: $20.00 for Members and $25.00 for Non Members

Click Here to register.

BioForum:  Biodefense: Research & Drug Development in Oregon

When: Thursday, September 17, 2009 7:30am - 9:00am
Where: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt  Pacwest Center, 1211 SW 5th Ave, Suite 1900, Portland OR 97204

Bioterrorism has become a threat to all of us.  Come and listen as these leading experts talk about the latest trends in this growing industry.  Learn about where this market is headed and what opportunities exist for companies in Oregon in biodefense.  This new field involves the preparation, research and development of medical (medicines and vaccinations) that protect people against these harmful agents.  Improving the nation's defenses against bioterrorism and emerging infectious agents is a key part of the U.S. government's homeland security effort.  Our speakers include Patrick Iversen, the Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances at AVI BioPharma, Inc. and Jay Nelson is the Director of the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, and Professor, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Oregon Health & Science University.

OBA Annual Conference: Understanding Change and Positioning Our Industry for Growth

When May 14th, 2009 - 7:30am-3pm
Where: Oregon Zoo, Conference Center

Understanding Change and Positioning Our Industry for Growth

This year's conference will provide targeted advice and engage attendees in working together to strengthen Oregon's bio industry through collaboration. By learning more about our specific cluster's capabilities, bio industry leaders can interact on Oregon's core research competencies and work with OBA's financial resources committee.

More information about this event

Medical Device Manufacturing: Supporting Your Product from Concept to Market

When: Thursday, April 16, 2009 5:30-8:30pm; program begins at 6:00pm
Where: Vanguard EMS 9825 SW Sunshine Ct Beaverton, OR 97005 Please use the NW Entrance

BioForum: Medical Devices at the FDA: Facts versus Reality

When: Thursday, April 16, 2009 7:30-9:00am;
Where: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt PacWest Center 1211 SW 5th, Suite 1900 Portland, OR 97204

Developing and selling a medical device in this country requires you to operate in a highly regulated environment can be confusing, complex and costly. In this interactive, hour-long session, Linda Bovard will use medical device regulations (facts) to expand our understanding of the nature of working with the FDA (realities). Though the regulations seem cut and dry, there are many nuances to their application. How do we successfully discover these nuances and apply them to our situation? Come and hear about the pitfalls and possible solutions.