Biotechnology Institute News room
North Carolina Biotechnology Leader Joins Institute Board
Shaffer’s Selection an Indication of Inspire’s Support of Science Education Arlington, VA (December 14, 2009) – The Biotechnology Institute, the national organization dedicated to biotechnology education, today announced that Christy L. Shaffer, Ph.D., President and CEO of Inspire Pharmaceuticals of Durham, NC, has been elected to its board of directors.
The election recognizes Shaffer’s strong commitment to the mission of the Biotechnology Institute to engage, excite and educate the public, particularly students and teachers, about biotechnology and its immense potential for solving human health, food and environmental problems.
“We are pleased to have someone with Christy’s leadership skills and passion for education join us on the board,” said Paul A. Hanle, president of the Biotechnology Institute. “Christy’s election is also an indication of Inspire’s commitment to helping move the Institute forward at such an important stage of its growth.”
“Like the Biotechnology Institute, Inspire is committed to inspiring students, developing tomorrow’s scientists, and advancing the understanding of both biotechnology and the benefits of life science in our communities,” says Shaffer. “My appointment to the board of the Institute is an indication of my strong desire to inspire tomorrow’s biotechnology leaders and generate excitement about the promises of biotechnology.”
Shaffer is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive and Ph.D. scientist with more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry. Shaffer was recruited by the founding scientists of Inspire as the first full-time employee in 1995 and held several senior positions prior to being appointed Inspire’s President and Chief Executive Officer and board member. During Shaffer's tenure, Inspire became a publicly traded company in 2000 and has completed multiple private equity and public offerings, raising more than $400 million for Inspire. Under Shaffer's leadership, Inspire was named one of The Scientist magazine’s “Best Places to Work in Industry” three times. Shaffer is active in her local community and, among other activities, serves as chair-elect of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics’ Foundation Board. Inspire’s commitment to science education includes partnerships with the Biotechnology Institute (Inspire is a Gold member), North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Museum of Life Science, North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research, Contemporary Science Center, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Shaffer comes to a board that is comprised of prominent leaders in biotechnology and education. For a complete list of board members, visit http://www.biotechinstitute.org/about/board.html.
About the Biotechnology Institute
The Biotechnology Institute is an independent, national nonprofit organization with a mission to engage, excite and educate the public, particularly students and teachers, about biotechnology and its immense potential for solving human health, food and environmental problems. For more information, visit www.biotechinstitute.org.
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Jeff Ghannam
703-248-8681
jghannam@biotechinstitute.org
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