Franklin West, Ph.D., an associate professor of regenerative medicine at the University of Georgia, will discuss how he is using science to try to save the Sumatran tiger and clouded leopard at the next Omaha Science Café at 7 p.m., Nov. 15 at the Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. The Sumatran tiger and clouded leopard are both on the endangered species list.
Dr. West is a world-renowned expert in stem cell biology with a focus in cellular reprogramming for agriculture and conservation. He is co-chair of the Regenerative Bioscience Center in the department of animal and dairy science at the University of Georgia. Dr. West also focuses his research on therapies for neural injury and diseases including stroke, traumatic brain injury and dementia.
Dr. West was named one of the nation's top scholars under 40 by two magazines, Georgia Trends and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and has been featured on NPR, CNN and Fox News. Dr. West received a bachelor of science in biology from Morehouse College and a doctorate in stem cell biology from the University of Georgia, where he now holds position as an associate professor of animal and dairy science.
Dr. West was a MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers) U-Star Research Fellow and a David and Lucille Packard Research Fellow at Morehouse College. He sits on the steering committee of UGA’s Regenerative Bioscience Center and has published in numerous international scientific peer-reviewed journals including Cell, Stem Cells and Scientific Reports.
He holds several patents in the area of regenerative medicine and has written book chapters covering topics from developing transgenic animals to cell therapies. Dr. West has produced the first live chimeric pigs from induced pluripotent stem cells; has developed novel stem cell to germ cell petri-dish culture systems; and developed a first-of-its-kind U.S. swine stroke model that has major implications on the treatment of human stroke patients.
This café is supported by the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures.
Science Cafés involve a face-to-face conversation with a scientist about current science topics. They are open to everyone (21 and older) and take place in casual settings like pubs and coffeehouses. Each meeting is organized around an interesting topic of conversation. A scientist gives a brief presentation followed by a Q-and-A period.
Pizza will be provided for the first 50 people. For more information about Science Cafes, go to www.unmc.edu/sciencecafe. Podcasts of previous Science Cafes also are available on the website or available for download on iTunes here.
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