MEDIA ADVISORY

Panel Features Ebola Experts on New Research, Other Efforts to Save Lives in West Africa

WHAT: A special panel, Stopping the Deadly Ebola Outbreak: The San Diego Connection in Saving Lives and Providing Hope, will feature local scientists, drug developers and humanitarian assistance workers at the forefront of efforts to stop the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. The panel is free and open to members of the public, the media and the local research community.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 27. 4:00—6:00 pm

WHO: The panel will feature three speakers:

• Erica Ollmann Saphire – Professor, The Scripps Research Institute. Dr. Saphire heads an international collaborative effort to find antibodies to fight Ebola virus, including the experimental serum called ZMapp, which may have saved the lives of two American aid workers.

• Mark O'Donnell – Chief Operating Officer, PCI (Project Concern International). Mr. O'Donnell oversees the implementation of PCI's country programs in Africa, Asia and the Americas. His organization is involved in humanitarian assistance efforts in Liberia to prevent the spread of Ebola, train health workers and deliver emergency medical supplies.

• Kevin Whaley – Chief Executive Officer, Mapp Biopharmaceutical. Dr. Whaley leads the drug development company that produced the experimental ZMapp treatment. He co-founded Mapp to develop antibody-based MPTs, therapeutics and mucosal vaccines that are appropriate for large, cost-sensitive, global health markets.

WHERE: The panel will be held in the atrium of the Beckman Building at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), 10650 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037. For maps and information on parking, go to: http://www.scripps.edu/philanthropy/email/2014_08_event/2014_08_event.html

RSVP: Reservations are required. Please RSVP to Chelsea Luedeke, (858) 784-7083 or cluedeke@scripps.edu.

For more information, contact press@scripps.edu See More News