BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – October 22, 2015 – On Thursday, October 22, a total of 40 students from George Washington Carver High School, Holy Family Cristo Rey High School, Huffman High School, P.D. Jackson-Olin High School, Ramsay High School, and Vestavia High School visited Southern Research’s Birmingham campuses to participate in life sciences and engineering experiments with SR scientists and engineers.

This was part of SR’s second annual Future Scientists & Engineers of Alabama – the organization’s local community outreach initiative to further educate high school students who show interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers.

“We have scientists and engineers working every day to solve some of the world’s hardest problems, and having these students interact with members of this team, and doing so in a real-world, R&D setting, gives them a view to a range of career choices available to them,” said Art Tipton, Ph.D., Southern Research president and CEO. “We hope the interaction continues their inspiration for technology and further equips them for living in our knowledge-based world, wherever the future takes them. And we hope some of these students become future scientists and engineers in our city and at Southern Research.”

SR scientists and engineers instructed and supervised the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior high school students as they conducted experiments within SR drug discovery, drug development, and engineering labs. Experiments were followed by a group Q&A session with the students and SR scientists and engineers.

Additionally, students attended an evening reception in the courtyard of SR’s Southside headquarters where they met with business, government, and non-profit executives from across Alabama.

The Experiments

Engineering: Students were able to perform several tasks that both engineers and technicians at SR’s Engineering Research Center perform every day for customers such as NASA, Boeing, and the U.S. Navy. The work done at ERC provides valuable information needed to develop and improve materials used in spacecrafts, rockets, turbines, airplanes, and missiles. Students were exposed to many different technologies that are used to produce real-world material property data that engineers utilize every day to perform their jobs, and they saw how science and mathematics play an integral part in producing that data. Participants performed both destructive and non-destructive tests on five metal materials. The non-destructive tests measured the density and ultrasonic velocity of the different materials. A destructive test, called a tension test, was performed by pulling apart a specimen until it broke, and different technologies were used to measure the load to break the specimen and how much it stretched before it broke.

Drug Development: Midazolam is a common anesthetic within the benzodiazepine family, and it is known to be metabolized by the liver. In the Drug Development experiment, students cultured liver cells in a three-dimensional bioreactor and dosed them with midazolam. Media aliquots were taken at different time points, and mass spectrometry was performed to monitor the metabolism of midazolam. Biology and chemistry were the foundation of for this experiment, while physics and engineering were principles used in developing the three-dimensional bioreactor. While midazolam is a well-studied compound, similar experiments are performed in the development of next-generation pharmaceuticals.

Drug Discovery: In SR’s Drug Discovery labs, students performed experiments that applied both biology and chemistry: DNA extraction and agarose gel electrophoresis; analysis of the principles and uses of fluorescence microscopy, including an overview of a typical staining protocol and visualization of various organelle and protein stains; and synthesis of aspirin – the first research-based pharmaceutical.

Since 1941, Southern Research has been conducting innovative science and engineering work that helps make people’s lives better. Here are just a few highlights of that work:

Developed seven FDA-approved cancer drugs, and is developing 18 other treatments for diseases as part of the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance with the University of Alabama at Birmingham

Developing vaccines to combat infectious diseases around the world

Created a state-of-the-art solar research facility to study the effects of the Southeast’s unique atmospheric conditions on solar power systems

Helping to make water safer and provide healthier habitats for fish and wildlife

About Southern Research

Southern Research is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific and engineering research organization, founded in 1941, that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 450 team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental and energy industries. SR is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Additional laboratories and offices are located in Wilsonville and Huntsville, Alabama, Frederick, Maryland, Durham, North Carolina, Cartersville, Georgia, and Houston.

The Girls Inc. Eureka! Internship Program provides young girls with hands-on experience in nontraditional fields for women, particularly in STEM-related fields. So, when Southern Research Associate Director of Engineering Johanna Lewis was approached about being a provisional mentor to one of these young women, she jumped at the chance.

Olumeka Mejeidu, is an upcoming junior at the Alabama School of Fine Arts with specialties in math and science. She has been an active member in the Eureka! Teen Achievement Program since 2011 and the Girls Inc. Teen Leadership Program since 2012.

Unique to many other intern programs, the goal of Eureka! is to expose girls to STEM fields at an early age – while they are still in high school. The program promotes confidence and competence in girls by giving them opportunities to explore disciplines such as engineering, architecture, medicine, and digital technology. For three weeks in July, Olumeka spent time with Southern Research engineers and technical staff getting behind-the-scenes encounters with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

“During Olumeka’s three weeks here at our engineering facility, we made sure she was exposed to as many unique and interesting projects as possible,” said Lewis. “Programs like Eureka! are vital to pointing young, inquiring minds in the direction of STEM fields.”

Olumeka was able to observe the following Southern Research projects during her visit:

• Supporting thermal testing of a new optical system
• Supporting materials testing
• A demonstration of the non-destructive testing lab including the FaroArm
• Supporting meetings concerning the design of a new football helmet to reduce concussions on the field
• A tour of the Energy and Environment laboratories

For more information about Southern Research STEM initiatives, contact Director, External Affairs Watson Donald.

Birmingham Innovation Week is an annual celebration of innovation in Birmingham, Alabama. Throughout the week, at various venues, speaking and networking events take place all over the city, featuring the inventors, investors, entrepreneurs, supporters, and catalysts that drive local progress. This year, Birmingham Innovation Week is Aug. 31 – Sept. 4, 2015, and Southern Research is pleased to host two events in conjunction with this unique initiative.

Join us Wednesday, September 2, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. at our Engineering Research Facility for a lively session about Southern Research, featuring leading Southern Research scientists and engineers. Each speaker represents our four divisions – drug discovery, drug development, engineering, and energy and environment – as well as our newest medical devices initiative AIMTech. Contact Southern Research Director, External Affairs Watson Donald to sign up for this event.

Speaker Line Up

3:30-4:00 – Art Tipton – President and CEO

4:00-4:10 – Jim Tucker – Director, Materials Research (Engineering Division)

4:10-4:20 – Michelle Valderas – Senior Project Leader (Drug Development Division)

4:20-4:30 – Corey Tyree – Director, AL Energy and Environment (Energy & Environment Division)

4:30-4:40 – John Gerdes – Senior Research Fellow (Drug Discovery Division)

4:40-4:50 – Bob Hergenrother – Director, Alliance for Innovative Medical Technology (Medical Devices)

4:50-5:00 – Closing / Final Q&A

Make sure to stick around afterward, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., for the Birmingham Business Alliance Business@Sunset event, sponsored by America’s First Federal Credit Union. Enjoy drinks and appetizers, networking, and view the Southeastern Solar Research Center. Register now for this event.

Our Engineering Research Facility is located at 757 Tom Martin Drive, Birmingham, AL 35211.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – November 20, 2014 – A total of 20 students from Hoover High School, Huffman High School, Holy Family Cristo Rey High School, and Ramsay High School visited Southern Research Institute headquarters today to participate in chemistry, biology and environmental engineering experiments as well as take part in educational roundtables with institute staff members. In the evening, students will attend a reception in the courtyard of Southern Research Institute’s Southside headquarters where they will meet with business, government, and non-profit executives from across Alabama.

It was all part of Southern Research Institute’s local community outreach initiative — Future Scientists & Engineers of Alabama — to further educate students interested in the fields of science and engineering before they enter college.

“This is part of our effort to spark interest, and create a local talent pool, for exciting, innovative, and top-paying science and engineering jobs where you can do the kind of work that can improve the lives of millions of people,” said Southern Research Institute President & CEO Art Tipton, Ph.D.

Southern Research Institute scientists and engineers instructed and supervised the junior and senior high school students as they conducted experiments within institute labs.

The Experiments
Synthesizing aspirin: Students synthesized aspirin, the first research-based pharmaceutical. Aspirin is an effective pain reliever and helps reduce the risk of heart attacks. Southern Research Institute Senior Medicinal Chemist Robert A. Galemmo, Jr., Ph.D., instructed and supervised students during this experiment.
Pinpointing specific proteins in cells: Students conducted a highly regarded “Western Blot” analysis of proteins in cells — an important step in the creation of vaccines because it can be used as a diagnostic tool that senses the slightest immunogenic response from a virus or bacteria in patient samples. Southern Research Institute’s Cancer Research Department Chairman Bo Xu, M.D., Ph.D., instructed and supervised students during this experiment.
Helping to make water safer: Students moved through various workstations to analyze water quality from local water sources. Rivers and streams feed our water supply and provide the habitat for fish and wildlife to thrive. Southern Research Institute’s Manager of Water Research Brian Mastin, Ph.D., instructed and supervised students during this experiment.
Since 1941, Southern Research Institute has been conducting innovative science and engineering work that helps make people’s lives better.

Here are just a few highlights of that work:
Developed seven FDA-approved cancer drugs, and is developing 18 other treatments for diseases as part of the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance with the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Developing vaccines to combat infectious diseases around the world
Created the state of Alabama’s first solar research facility to study the effects of the Southeast’s unique atmospheric conditions on solar power systems
Helping to make water safer and provide healthier habitats for fish and wildlife
About Southern Research Institute
Southern Research Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization, founded in 1941, that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental and energy industries. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Additional laboratories and offices are located in Wilsonville and Huntsville, Alabama, as well as Frederick, Maryland, Durham, North Carolina, Cartersville, Georgia, and Houston.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – November 4, 2014 – Southern Research Institute, developer of seven FDA-approved cancer drugs, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a leading research institution ranked 23rd nationally in NIH funding, have partnered to develop new medical devices to improve healthcare in the U.S. and around the globe.

A medical device is any medical instrument, as opposed to a drug, that is used to diagnose, prevent or treat a disease or medical condition. New diagnostic imaging, surgical tools and therapeutic implants are examples of what the U.S. Food & Drug Administration defines as medical devices.

Five Key Areas of Focus

The strategic partnership, which is called the Alliance for Innovative Medical Technology (AIMTech), combines the research and discovery expertise of Southern Research Institute scientists and engineers and UAB biomedical engineers and clinicians. They’ll take a patient-centric approach to medical technology development in five key areas:

• Cardiology
• Orthopedics
• Ophthalmology
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Trauma

Southern Research Institute and UAB researchers will work together to create medical devices across all five specializations. The goal is for the first group of AIMTech-created medical devices to hit the market by 2020. By comparison, it can take 10 years to create an FDA-approved drug.

Creating New Jobs

The idea for the new alliance arose from discussions between Art Tipton, Ph.D., president and CEO of Southern Research Institute, and Timothy Wick, Ph.D., chair of the UAB Department of Biomedical Engineering. Tipton holds 34 U.S. patents, helped lead the growth of three pharmaceutical/biotech companies, and launched four commercial products.

“Partnering with UAB on this initiative allows us to accelerate commercialization of medical technologies, improve healthcare delivery and outcomes, and generate economic development and growth,” said Tipton. “This is also an opportunity to develop a lucrative business unit that will potentially create a number of new companies and jobs within the rapidly-growing biomedical engineering industry.”

“Our partnership with Southern Research Institute in the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance has already been a tremendous success,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts, M.D. “We have approximately 18 new disease-changing therapies in the ADDA pipeline. We’re pushing hard to bring them to market as new treatments as rapidly as possible, which could have incredible health care and economic development implications. We envision a similar impact with the AIMTech collaboration.”

Watts, who is both a physician and an engineer, understands the importance of design in the development of new medical devices.

Robert Hergenrother, Ph.D., Director of AIMTech

Tipton hired Robert Hergenrother, Ph.D., to lead the new alliance. Hergenrother has led the creation of 15 neurovascular, diagnostic, wound care, and orthopedic medical devices during his career. He ran research and development for the medical device business unit of Minnesota-based SurModics and led a team of engineers at California-based Target Therapeutics, now Stryker Neurovascular. Eighteen of his inventions have been patented in the U.S. Hergenrother has also been appointed professor in UAB’s biomedical engineering department.

How It Will Work

AIMTech will invent the new medical devices, help raise venture capital, establish small medical device companies, and manage the clinical trial and FDA approval processes. Major medical device companies will manufacture and sell the devices.

AIMTech will gain a return on investment through research grants, licensing, royalty fees and equity arrangements.

“We have all the ingredients here to create a powerhouse in the medical device industry,” said Hergenrother. “But what’s more exciting than that, is knowing that we’ll be creating the technology that will help patents live longer and more active lives.”

“The regional investment community is excited to see these two Birmingham powerhouses coming together to develop medical devices,” said Robert L. Crutchfield, general partner, Harbert Venture Partners. “Combining the research and innovation development resources at UAB with the commercialization expertise, experience, and capabilities at Southern Research Institute should create value by increasing the number of UAB commercial spin outs.”

Key Industry Facts

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. medical device industry is expected to grow nearly 21 percent to $133 billion by 2016. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 27 percent job growth in the industry between 2012 and 2022, with a median pay of about $87,000 a year.

• The U.S. is the largest medical device market in the world.
• There are more than 6,500 medical device companies in the U.S.
• Eighty percent of medical device companies have fewer than 50 employees.
• Most medical device companies are located in California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota and Georgia.
• Collaborations have led to recent advances in neuro-stimulators, stent technologies, biomarkers, robotic assistance, and electronic device implants.
• U.S. exports of medical devices exceeded $44 billion in 2012 – a seven percent increase from 2011.