School of Arts and Sciences 2002 Dean's Forum
Dr. J. Craig Venter
Founder of the Institute for Genome Research
Sequencing the Human Genome:
The Gateway to a New Era in Science and Medicine
Dr. J. Craig Venter has been instrumental in defining genomics research since before the field was recognized as a distinct discipline. As a section chief at the National Institutes of Health, he pioneered the use of large-scale sequencing projects to elucidate the range of genes expressed in cells and tissues. Capitalizing on such approaches and the potential for complete genome sequencing, he founded The Institute for Genome Research and served as its president from 1992 until 1998.
Venter then served as president and chief scientific officer of Celera Genomics, where he continued to expand the potential of genomics technologies for addressing problems associated with human disease. Integrating novel engineering and computational approaches on a scale not previously employed in the life sciences, Venter single-handedly accelerated the timetable for completion of the Human Genome Project. Often controversial, Venter has proved to be a visionary, always challenging his audience to dream about what the future may hold.
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