On June 7th, RTI International sat roundtable to discuss North Carolina’s role in Zika virus research and prevention. Representative David Price (NC-4) provided opening remarks. The discussion brought together leading researchers and policy makers to examine the science of Zika, the evolving response, research necessary to confront the virus, and childhood development implications.
The first panel was a roundtable discussion with researchers and experts on Zika from RTI International, area universities and the private sector.
• M&I faculty members Helen Lazear, Ph.D., and Aravinda de Silva, Ph.D.
• Sallie Permar, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in Pediatrics, Immunology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine
• Michael H. Reiskind, Ph.D., assistant professor of Entomology, North Carolina State University
• Ray Taylor, vice president, program management and project leader, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals
• Pia MacDonald, Ph.D., senior director of applied public health research, RTI International
• Moderator: Brian Southwell, Ph.D., program director of science in the public sphere, RTI International
The second panel was round table discussions with federal agency officials moderated by Price. The panel includes:
• Richard Hatchett, M.D., acting director, The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Kelly Saldana, deputy director, Office of Health Infectious Diseases and Nutrition, U.S. Agency for International Development
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.