Avatar Platform Transforms Engagement Between Brands and Content Creators
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - October 6, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
Spree3D, a technology company specializing in hyperreal avatar experiences, debuts the MyDubble app in beta on the Apple App Store. MyDubble is a video studio powered by Spree3D's photoreal avatar platform — enabling digital storytelling for personalized fashion experiences. Create MyDubble videos starring the user's digital twin walking an exotic runway at a music festival, posting in Paris or Tokyo, and much more.
MyDubble offers fashion brands a fun creator platform targeted at digital natives, where anyone can instantly model virtualized apparel and share with friends as glamorous fashion videos. Integrating photoreal fashion Dubbles into a video studio, MyDubble offers partners a "phygital" fashion opportunity that rises above the noise, allowing users to explore digital fashion in their social content and purchase physical items.
How MyDubble Works:
Creating a MyDubble video is as easy as 1-2-3.
Create the Dubble from a quick phone scan.
Pick the Dubble's outfit out of a growing catalog of original designs.
Pick Dubble's setting from a selection of lifestyle scenes.
That's all it takes to create a fantastical fashion video starring the custom Dubble.
MyDubble turbocharges community building. Creators pick fashion apparel in the app to feature in MyDubble posts. Partners can launch metaverse fandoms populated with photoreal fan avatars. A "dubbled" fan base offers new engagement, merchandise, and analytic opportunities.
"Our vision starts with allowing anyone to be on the inside of beautiful fashion experiences. By taking a photorealistic approach, we can automate a key category of social content promotions, expanding the reach of brands to a much larger creator audience," says Bob Davidson, CEO at Spree3D. "Photorealistic Dubbles are game changers that create new promotional, revenue, and partner opportunities."
Founded in 2020, Spree3D is the brainchild of Bob Davidson — a pioneer in digital entertainment (who founded Blizzard Entertainment and launched World of Warcraft), and Lisa Park — a global fashion entrepreneur. Our vision is to allow anyone to be in fabulous fashion experiences. Spree3D has delivered the first Hyperreal Avatar Studio — virtualizing humans and apparel for avatar adventure videos. The MyDubble app provides a new way to socialize digital fashion, enabling instant avatar communities that create and share fantasy fashion videos. With MyDubble, users can Be In It — with a few clicks, fans can be in a fashion post and personalize it to make it their own.
Whittier Street Health Center, a community health center with a mission to serve as a center of excellence that provides high quality and accessible health care and social services that achieve health equity, social justice, and the economic well-being of a diverse patient population, has launched a Day Engagement Center in partnership with the office of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Health Commission to provide health care, social services, and support to unhoused and vulnerable residents of Boston.
The Day Engagement Center is located at 1290 Tremont Street, in Roxbury. The new daytime center is partial funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Boston Public Health Commission and through generous donors.
"We're thrilled to be partnering with the City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission on this important initiative to improve the well-being of the unsheltered throughout Boston neighborhoods," said Frederica M. Williams, president and CEO of Whittier Street Health Center. "This effort aligns directly with our mission, and this unique partnership between our community-based organization, governmental agencies, and private donors has the potential to address the disparities and inequities among our most vulnerable populations."
"I'm optimistic to see the outcomes of these collaborations, and I am also proud to be part of these efforts to improve and enhance the lives of vulnerable populations in our communities," added Diana Sencion, Day Engagement Center manager.
The Day Engagement Center, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., offers harm reduction services, medical care, substance abuse services, mental health services, nutrition counseling, health and social support groups, and wellness activities for the homeless and other underserved populations. In addition, clients will have access to clothing, food, beverages, case management and linkage to social services.
About Whittier Street Health Center
Whittier Street Health Center is an independently licensed community health care center with a mission of providing high quality, reliable and accessible primary healthcare for diverse populations while promoting wellness and eliminating health and social disparities.
L-Nutra, Inc., the world's leading nutrition technology company pioneering the discovery, design, and commercialization of novel nutrition solutions, today announced data in Cell Reports demonstrating the effects of fasting-mimicking diets (FMD) in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and early human safety data. The study reports that FMD cycles reduce cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease pathology in mouse models. The early clinical data also suggest that FMD cycles are safe and feasible in a small group of Alzheimer's patients.
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory loss and a decline in quality of life and lifespan. An estimated 6.5 million Americans aged 65 and older live with Alzheimer's dementia, and approximately 200,000 under age 65 have early-onset Alzheimer's. The number of people affected globally by dementia is expected to increase to 152.8 million cases in 2050, primarily due to population aging. FDA-approved drugs for Alzheimer's only temporarily improve or slow the deterioration of Alzheimer's symptoms but do not generally affect disease progression.
"L-Nutra is the world's pioneering Nutri-Technology company bringing the revolutionary Fasting-Mimicking Technology (FMT) to transform the paradigm of care in four major chronic illnesses: cancer, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and Alzheimer's. With this published result, our FMT platform takes another bold step towards turning 'food into medicine.' Leveraging the rigor of the biotech industry, we are the leading nutrition company to have a nutrition solution with the potential to impact human longevity and the course of many chronic health conditions," said Joseph Antoun, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and Chairman of L-Nutra, Inc.
In this newly published paper, the lead author Professor Valter Longo at USC and investigators from other centers* show that cycles of FMT attenuate cognitive decline, reduce Alzheimer's pathology and neuroinflammation, and promote neurogenesis and improve cognition in Alzheimer's mouse models. In a pilot human trial included in the publication, the authors also show that the intervention is safe and feasible in a small group of Alzheimer's patients.
"The patented FMT in previously published studies demonstrated a clear mechanism of action, supported by successful early human trials that showed safety and efficacy in diabetes and various forms of cancer. This exciting result in a neurodegenerative condition extends the finding that the FMT platform as a unique solution has an upstream and overarching systemic impact on the body," said Dr. William Hsu, MD, Chief Medical Officer of L-Nutra, Inc.
L-Nutra plans to evaluate further its FMT platform's impact on driving various chronic conditions into remission or regression. For more information on L-Nutra and its revolutionary approach to targeting a broad spectrum of diseases, visit www.l-nutra.com or contact Dr. William Hsu, Chief Medical Officer, at [email protected].
*Collaborating centers include USC, IFOM, University of Genoa, UCLA, University of Illinois at Chicago, and University of Perugia.
About L-Nutra Inc.
L-Nutra is leading the discovery, design, and commercialization of novel nutri-programs with the mission of adding more life to human life. Current commercial products focus on wellness and healthy aging, including ProLon®, the first and only clinically tested 5-day fasting nutrition program designed to allow your body to enter a fasting state while still allowing you to consume nutrient-dense foods. L-Nutra created the 1-day fasting nutrition kit ProLon Reset™ and ProLon Intermittent Fasting Bar®, the first nutrition bar specifically designed and clinically tested to support intermittent fasting. Nutrition for Longevity® is L-Nutra's science-backed, chef-curated meal program, featuring farm-to-table meals formulated to address the nutritional deficiencies in today's commercially grown produce. For more info, visit https://l-nutra.com/.
Contact Information:
William Hsu
Chief Medical Officer [email protected]
6176554394
Gotham Cigars, one of America's leading cigar retailers, recently marked its 20th year and is celebrating the landmark achievement with the release of a special cigar that has been three years in the making.
The Gotham 20th Anniversary blend has been crafted by the Gotham team, with their 40 years of experience, in partnership with the Esteli boutique cigar factory, Interamerican Tabac de Nicaragua. The cigar is constructed using an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Sumatra binder and filler tobaccos from Condega and Jalapa in Nicaragua along with Paraguayan Ligero, resulting in a medium-bodied cigar that delivers a full-flavored smoke.
"I have been interested in introducing a cigar to the market that is totally different, and delivers a great smoke that is appealing to aficionados and beginners alike," says Manny Balani, owner and President of Gotham Cigars. "This cigar is dedicated to all of our loyal customers who have made us a great company for over 20 years…I think they will love it."
Gotham 20th Anniversary cigars feature a commemorative band around the foot, are packaged in a 10ct bundle, and are currently available in two vitolas, Churchill and Toro.
Gotham Cigars was created out of a passion for providing consumers with the freshest cigars and fast delivery at great prices. Combine this with personalized customer service and a hand-picked selection of cigars and accessories for every smoker and you have the five-star customer experience for which Gotham Cigars is known.
Gotham was born in New York City in 2001. A couch, laptop and bedroom humidor, along with a drive to provide amazing service and selection to cigar smokers, is how it all got started. Since then, Gotham has grown into one of the most successful online cigar retailers in the U.S. Our selection is unique with cigars for every smoker (occasional to aficionado) and every budget (highly rated exclusive cigars to value-priced machine-made), creating an unforgettable one-stop shop for every consumer. We are also proud to offer a wide variety of cigar-related accessories and gifts.
Service to our customers is a critical component of our culture. Gotham receives consistent five-star ratings for our fast shipping and best-in-class customer service from the most trusted online comparison websites. Whether it is helping you place an order, track your order or answer questions about cigars, our professional customer service team is ready to help.
The cigars have to be great, and they are with Gotham's freshness guarantee! We work closely with all of our manufacturers to ensure their products have been thoroughly inspected prior to arriving at our facility. Then, utilizing the latest technology for cigar storage, we pride ourselves on delivering cigars to our consumers that feel as fresh as when they were made.
Contact Information:
Kelly Michols
New Business Development [email protected]
305-597-1501
LONG BEACH, Calif. - October 6, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
United Global Trading Corp. (UGTC) announces a non-exclusive partnership with Hartalega to import, sell and distribute ShieldOn nitrile, powder-free examination gloves tested for use with chemotherapy drugs and fentanyl, to meet the demands of the North American market. ShieldOn gloves are FDA-approved and suitable for dental, medical, food, beauty, janitorial, and industrial use.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the global demand for single-use gloves skyrocketed and exceeded manufacturers' production capacity. Demand attracted new suppliers, flooding the market with lower-quality gloves, but at inflated prices. UGTC market research shows users are forced to use lesser-quality gloves. Independent medical facilities expressed frustration at the high price and lack of quality.
"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed an influx of poor-quality medical supplies and PPE saturating the marketplace. With the pandemic still lingering, a strong flu season expected, and high levels of fentanyl entering North America, PPE and medical supplies are not products where you can cut corners," Sean Price, UGTC CEO, said.
Headquartered in Malaysia, Hartalega is recognized as one of the world's largest producers of nitrile gloves for the healthcare industry. This partnership allows U.S.-based UGTC to provide customers with a comprehensive product offering meeting the highest safety standards in the industry.
The partnership between UGTC and Hartalega is a natural fit given both companies' commitment to quality and safety. UGTC is determined to provide products and services that meet or exceed the highest safety standards, while Hartalega is known for its innovative glove design and manufacturing technology.
"We looked at many manufacturers for ShieldOn and determined Hartalega is the best fit due to their high quality, efficient processes, production capabilities, and ethical working conditions," Price said.
ShieldOn is launching with three glove types: Precision, Guardian, and Defender. In addition to Hartalega's innovative quality control process, UGTC implemented additional stringent quality control standards such as on-site visits and third-party quality control and loading inspections.
"With the increase of fentanyl in North America, protecting our frontline and medical workers by providing them with the highest quality PPE at a very competitive price is of the utmost importance," Price said.
For more information about ordering ShieldOn gloves, contact [email protected] or call (562) 676-4332.
United Global Trading Corp and Hartalega
United Global Trading Corp. (UGTC) announces a non-exclusive partnership with Hartalega to import, sell and distribute ShieldOn nitrile, powder-free examination gloves. The teams met in September at the World Trade Center in Long Beach.
The supplier of transformational ingredients and breakthrough formula innovations is the latest to join the diverse group of companies collaborating to drive positive impacts for all
Fragrance Creators Association announced today that Presperse Corporation has joined its membership of more than 60 large, medium, and small businesses spanning the fragrance supply chain, from ingredient suppliers to fragrance houses to consumer product companies. A recognized leader in sustainability, research, green chemistry, and more, Presperse uses its commitment to operational excellence and innovative technology to provide specialty ingredients to formulators of skincare, sun care, hair care, and color cosmetics.
"I have been impressed by the work Fragrance Creators does on behalf of the entire fragrance supply chain," said Joy Atkinson, President and CEO of Presperse. "Since 1981, Presperse has been a trusted partner to beauty brands across the world. We know how important it is to work collaboratively to produce innovative products that are also sustainable. Our values of integrity, respect for people, and leadership align closely with those we have seen at Fragrance Creators. We are on a mission to leave the world more beautiful for people and the planet and are excited to add perfume to that list as well through our work with Farah and the team."
"Joy has been a longtime champion of the fragrance value chain and we are delighted to welcome Presperse as the newest member of our association," said Farah K. Ahmed, President & CEO, Fragrance Creators. "Fragrance Creators is thrilled to grow our membership with values-driven leaders and industry stewards that prioritize science-based policies that are good for people, perfume, and the planet. Presperse will be a great addition to our membership as we, together, drive positive impacts for all."
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Fragrance Creators Association is the trade association representing the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America. We also represent fragrance-related interests along the value chain. Fragrance Creators' 60+ member companies are diverse, including large, medium, and small-sized companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products, as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators established and administers the Congressional Fragrance Caucus, ensuring ongoing dialogue with members of Congress and staff. We are an active participant in IFRA and have a designated representative on the IFRA Board to help ensure the associations' membership is represented in global discussions and the North American perspective is considered in global fragrance positions and policies. Fragrance Creators also produces The Fragrance Conservatory, the comprehensive digital resource for high-quality information about fragrance — www.fragranceconservatory.com. Learn more about Fragrance Creators at fragrancecreators.org — for people, perfume, and the planet.
There is something for everyone at the Happy Mama Expo, Saturday, October 22nd from 7 AM to 7 PM Eastern. Topics range from prenatal and postpartum health, career, childcare, health and nutrition, relationships, and life balance. The day is full of subject matter expert speakers, relatable and inspirational moments by influencers, and everyday moms and dads.
Digital technology is also a key aspect of the Happy Mama Expo featuring leading tech innovators in maternal health and wellness - popular categories include virtual reality (VR) therapeutics, telelactation services, and personalized marketplaces.
"We don't do a great job of treating the pregnancy-related stress and anxiety, and sometimes trauma, experienced by mothers, fathers, and families. Healthcare professionals need better tools to support them. We are grateful for the Happy Mama Expo, which is drawing awareness to new, more affordable, and accessible innovations that support whole person maternal health and wellness," professes John Chuo, MD, MS, an attending neonatologist and Medical Director of Telemedicine Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Penn Medicine and the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Advisor at Vital Start Health, the creators of Courage for maternal mental health and wellness, https://vitalstarthealth.com
The lineup of innovation showcase presenters:
AdaRose, Enhancing health & wellness in the context of everyday life
Wombs,Resources for new families
Believer Her, Online peer support group for black moms
HappySneeze, Do you pee when you sneeze?
Vital Start, The vital sign for wellbeing
The show features digital exhibit booths, lounges, a digital swag bag for all attendees, and loads of prizes. If you are a small business owner, you can promote your products and services in the expo's digital swag bag at no cost. Visit the event website for more information: http://happymama.global/exhibit
This national maternal health community event is powered by Accelevents, an all-in-one virtual & hybrid events platform that empowers event organizers and marketing professionals to create authentic human connections.
Reach is a 501c3 global social impact organization focused on improving the healthcare experience of both patients and providers. Maternal mortality and morbidity prevention is a top priority area for the organization. Reach is the founder of the National Save Moms Campaign (http://savemoms.us), Save Moms Global (http://savemoms.global), Maternal Application of Technology for Community Health (MATCH) Coalition (http://matchcoalition.us), and Happy Mama (http://happymama.global) - Winner of the CES 2022 Tech Innovation Award.
REACH is a member of the American Heart Association's Innovators' Network, a consortium that connects entrepreneurs, providers, researchers, and payers with the goal of advancing the development of healthcare technology. The Happy Mama app incorporates the American Heart Association's science-based health management plans, called CarePlans, into the app.
The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) and the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) announced today the 2022 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship recipients.
Forty-five military spouses representing more than 40 bases globally will receive free training and assessment to earn their Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) designation, which can help kickstart a career in financial empowerment and improve their own financial capability. The AFC offers comprehensive life-cycle financial education, providing the knowledge and skills to assist clients in complex financial decision-making.
The fellowship program is part of an ongoing effort to increase financial readiness within the military community. Military members and their families face unique financial circumstances, often including the strain caused by regular duty station changes and deployments around the world. Moreover, a 2021 study by the Military Family Advisory Network found that a substantial number of military families have less than $500 in an emergency fund. This international opportunity, funded by the FINRA Foundation and delivered by AFCPE, offers military spouses the tools, resources, education, experience, and a network of peers to help their communities address these concerns while at the same time enhancing their careers by earning the AFC.
"The pandemic and high inflation have created financial hardships and uncertainty for many Americans, including military families. Military Spouse Fellows understand the added financial stressors service members face," said Gerri Walsh, President of the FINRA Foundation. "Our Fellows provide expert financial counseling and education to minimize financial distress and disruptions for service members and their families. The fellowship also allows military spouses to advance in portable, rewarding careers in communities around the globe."
Financial counseling has become a viable career opportunity that supports the military family lifestyle of moving every few years while helping spouses advance their careers and give back to the military community. More than 1,700 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowships have been awarded since 2006. In return, Fellows have dedicated over 522,000 hours providing financial counseling and education to more than 253,000 members of the military community.
"Becoming an AFC will greatly impact my personal goals of gaining more knowledge in the area of finance that will help my family and I build personal wealth," said Amanda Brodman, 2022 Military Spouse Fellow. "It will also allow me to help others grow financial freedom as well, which I am very passionate about."
As part of the program, Fellows gain access to hundreds of hours of training resources, a network of more than 3,000 financial professionals within and outside the military community, and hands-on experience and support needed to succeed valued at $2,500, all at no cost to them.
"The 2022 class already possesses the qualities to make a real impact in their communities," said Rachael DeLeon, Executive Director of AFCPE. "All of these Fellows have experienced firsthand the unique financial circumstances that today's military community face. Gaining the AFC accreditation will provide a solid foundation to expand their career opportunities and help this population improve their financial situations."
The 2022 Military Spouse Fellows were selected from a competitive, global pool of applicants and will immediately begin their training in military communities worldwide.
The program is open to qualifying spouses of active-duty or retired Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Army or Air National Guard or reserve component service members, as well as to spouses of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration professionals. For more information and to sign up for program updates, visit afcpe.org/certification/military-spouse-fellowship.
2022 Military Spouse Fellowship Class:
Angelina Adame-Gignac, Army, Alabama
Daniela Agudelo, Navy, Italy
Nina Bergmark, Army, Missouri
Christina Blackford, Army, New York
Amanda Brodman, Navy, California
Laurel Browning, Navy, California
Patti Busque, Air Force, Florida
Andrea Corpening, Air Force, Florida
Michele Coughlin-DeRosier, Army, Germany
Gina Di Nola, Army, Texas
Matthew Diehls, Army, Germany
Kristina Ellis, Navy, Hawaii
Dana Elmini, Navy, Italy
Noel Estrada, Navy, Florida
Jaime Farrell, Marine Corps, California
Andrea Fisher, National Guard, Arkansas
Tracey Gordon, Army, Tennessee
Cortney Howard, Navy, Virginia
Nicole Jameson, Air Force, Germany
Sergio Jimenez, Air Force, North Carolina
Stephanie Jones, Marine Corps, South Carolina
Sara Justice, Navy, Florida
Rachel Konchinsky-Pate, Navy, Indiana
Tabatha Leard, Navy, Florida
Betsy Leese, Navy, Rhode Island
Genie Madson, Air Force, Texas
Aimee Mensinger, Navy, California
Julie Mitchell, Marine Corps, Japan
Christina Molnar, Army, Germany
Jaye Moncier, Navy, California
Angelica Mutai, Navy, Italy
Jessica Oxley, Army, Washington
Shalini Patel, Air Force, Louisiana
Cinthia Raez, Army, Germany
Megan Riley, Army, North Carolina
Sergio Rodriguez, Navy, Georgia
Ayannah Rovira, National Guard, South Carolina
Gaby Sanchez-Manney, Air Force, California
Brandon Shurn, Air Force, Maryland
Anthony Sisti, Navy, Japan
Lindsey Slattery, Army, Kansas
Rose Sloan, Army, Florida
Jamie Thomas, Navy, Florida
Alysse Turner, Navy, Italy
Ashley Walker, Marine Corps, North Carolina
About the FINRA Investor Education Foundation
The FINRA Investor Education Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects that empower underserved Americans with the knowledge, skills, and tools to make sound financial decisions throughout life. In 2006, the FINRA Foundation launched a multifaceted program to expand the saving and investing knowledge of military service members and their spouses. The FINRA Foundation is an active participant in the Department of Defense Financial Readiness Network and holds a U.S. Coast Guard Qualified Organization Designation. For more information about FINRA Foundation initiatives, visit finrafoundation.org.
About AFCPE®
The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) ensures the highest integrity of the financial counseling profession by certifying, connecting, and supporting diverse professionals. Our comprehensive certification programs represent the gold standard for financial counseling, coaching, and education, including the AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor®) which is accredited by NCCA and nationally recognized by both the CFPB and DoD. AFCPE supports its professionals by providing career advancement and professional development opportunities, including exceptional financial education training, the Journal for Financial Counseling & Planning, and the Annual AFCPE Symposium. Visit afcpe.org for more information.
Donation supports regional systems to prevent homelessness
River City Bank Check Presentation to Sacramento Steps Forward River City Bank President and CEO Steve Fleming, along with Premier Banking Relationship Manager Donna Sutherland, presents a donation check in the amount of $10,000 to Sacramento Steps Forward Executive Director Lisa Bates, Deputy CEO, Rachel Berez
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - October 5, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
River City Bank, Sacramento's premier business bank, showed its support for ending homelessness and strengthening communities by presenting a $10,000 donation check to Sacramento Steps Forward. The donation supports implementing a new regional coordinated access system to ensure that homelessness is either preventable, brief, or one-time.
"As one of Sacramento's long-standing community-based businesses, River City Bank is dedicated to seeing our region grow and prosper, and that includes supporting organizations that provide solutions for ending homelessness," said Steve Fleming, President and CEO of River City Bank. "As the lead agency for Sacramento Continuum of Care, Sacramento Steps Forward is responsible for providing homeless families and individuals with needed housing and support services."
"Thank you to River City Bank for this generous contribution and for recognizing Sacramento Steps Forward's work on a comprehensive approach to end homelessness. Homelessness is truly a humanitarian crisis. It touches all of us - from the unimaginable hardships for our unhoused community to the impacts suffered by nearby neighborhoods, businesses, and the community," said Lisa Bates, CEO of Sacramento Steps Forward. "We are grateful for this investment and the direct impact it will have on systemic solutions in Sacramento."
River City Bank presented the donation check to Lisa and the SSF executive team members during its client appreciation reception, which was held on Sept. 21, 2022.
As part of the event tradition, River City Bank recognizes and makes a charitable contribution to one of our non-profit clients. River City Bank employees had the challenging, yet rewarding, job of choosing the donation recipient from many charitable organizations with compelling missions.
About River City Bank Named one of Sacramento Business Journal's "50 Fastest Growing Companies" for each of the past six years, River City Bank is the Sacramento region's premier business bank with assets of over $3.8 billion. River City Bank offers a comprehensive suite of banking services, including loans, deposits and cash management tools to the business, consumer and commercial real estate sectors. With tailored, executive-level service and a long-term investment grade credit rating from Standard & Poor's, River City Bank redefines the banking experience and every touch point that surrounds it. River City Bank is the largest, independent, locally-owned and managed bank in the Sacramento region with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and a presence in Southern California. For additional information, please visit www.rivercitybank.com or call (916) 567-2600. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
About Sacramento Steps Forward
Sacramento Steps Forward is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving the Sacramento region leading multi-sector, system-level change to compassionately end homelessness where our vision is an equitable community where everyone has a safe place to call home. Sacramento Steps Forward is also the lead agency for the Sacramento City and County Continuum of Care. For more information about Sacramento Steps Forward, visit SacramentoStepsForward.com.
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Contact Information:
Amber Holwell
VP - Director of Marketing [email protected]
916-567-2600
The Vilcek Science Symposium brings immigrant scientists together for a two-day conference at the Gladstone Institutes.
Jeanne T. Paz, Gladstone Institutes Scientist Jeanne T. Paz and a researcher work together in a laboratory at the Gladstone Institutes. Paz has long dark hear and wears wire-rimmed glasses and a white lab coat.
They come from around the world—born in Taiwan, India, Lebanon, Israel, Romania, and Russia, among other places—but they all call the United States home. The scientists presenting at the first Vilcek Science Symposium, taking place Oct. 19-20 at Gladstone Institutes, have something in common other than their top-notch, award-winning research: they're all immigrants.
Organized in partnership with the Gladstone Institutes, the symposium, "Science Crossing Borders: Celebrating the Contributions of Foreign-Born Researchers in the United States" aims to recognize outstanding science by researchers born outside the U.S. It also provides a platform for the researchers to share their personal stories, network with one another, and raise awareness of the impact of immigration to inclusive and high-quality science.
"Even though we come from diverse backgrounds and study very different topics, immigrant scientists share some common experiences," says Jeanne Paz, Ph.D., conference chair and associate investigator at Gladstone. "We thought it would be nice to meet, create opportunities for collaboration, and brainstorm how we can support trainees who are coming from other countries."
"This symposium represents the first time that Vilcek Prizewinners in biomedical science have a specific opportunity to connect in an academic context," says Jan T. Vilcek, MD, Ph.D., co-founder, CEO, and chairman of the Vilcek Foundation. "We hope that the two-day program will help these leaders learn more about one another's work and create space for potential collaborations moving forward."
A Chance to Connect
In 2019, Paz won a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for her research on epilepsy. At the annual Vilcek Awards Gala, she and fellow winner and scientist, the late Angelika Amon, Ph.D., struck up a conversation about some of the unique challenges that immigrant scientists face. They started brainstorming ways to strengthen the community of Vilcek Prizewinners and proposed the idea for a symposium.
"When Jeanne Paz and Angelika Amon approached us in 2019 about developing an academic forum for our Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners, we were delighted," says Vilcek. "It is a testament to Angelika's lasting impact as a mentor to see this symposium realized, and it speaks deeply to Jeanne's leadership in supporting the next generation of scientists at the Gladstone Institutes."
"We are thrilled to host this exciting symposium," says Lennart Mucke, MD, of the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease. "An immigrant myself, I deeply appreciate the efforts of the Vilcek Foundation and the pioneering contributions of these outstanding speakers. Their paths beautifully illustrate that science truly is universal and boundless."
Inspiring Change
The scientists presenting at the upcoming symposium work in diverse fields—from physics to biomedicine—and Paz hopes that getting them all in one room will create new collaboration and networking opportunities. But she also hopes that students will tune in for the talks and be inspired by their personal stories.
"There's often this idea in the scientific community that to be successful, you have to come from a very famous lab and follow a particular path, and it's important for young scientists to see that doesn't have to be true," says Paz. "You can come from a very difficult background and move far away from your support network and succeed because you pursued a path that you were passionate about." Paz herself was born in the Republic of Georgia and moved to the United States for her postgraduate research.
Many Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners credit not only their backgrounds but the purposeful diversity of their labs with helping them think more expansively about their research subjects. With those messages in mind, the symposium organizers have arranged roundtables, mentoring opportunities, and a panel discussion with a handful of attendees about how being an immigrant has shaped their science.
"There is no singular immigrant story or experience, and while our prizes recognize immigrant scientists, each of our prizewinners has a unique experience, focus, and insight that has contributed to their success," says Rick Kinsel, president of the Vilcek Foundation. "We hope to make this diversity apparent, and to bolster individuals' understanding of the ways that immigration has a positive impact on our scientific communities, and on society more broadly."
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $7 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported organizations with over $5.8 million in grants.
The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit vilcek.org.
Contact
Elizabeth Boylan Communications Manager The Vilcek Foundation www.vilcek.org
Jeanne T. Paz, Gladstone Institutes
Scientist Jeanne T. Paz and a researcher work together in a laboratory at the Gladstone Institutes. Paz has long dark hear and wears wire-rimmed glasses and a white lab coat.
