FROM THE DESK OF
CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER RICK MYERS O n April 25, 2008, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology officially opened its doors. 2022 saw significant campus growth, with the opening of a state-of-the-art greenhouse that will allow our agricultural and plant genomics team to more efficiently care for and manipulate growing conditions for the plants they study. Construction is also underway for the global headquarters of HudsonAlpha associate company, Discovery Life Sciences. HudsonAlpha has added more than $3.2 billion to the Alabama economy and is home to more companies than ever. Over the past 15 years, our research faculty have secured more than $300 million in federal grants. They’ve authored more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications, leading to several being named to the most highly cited researcher list. The HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center has helped sequence more than half of all high-quality plant genomes in the public record. Our human health researchers provided genetic diagnoses to over 500 children with rare diseases and discovered dozens of disease-risk genes in cancer, neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and autoimmune diseases. Our founders envisioned a place where scientists, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, and the public would brainstorm, collaborate, and work together to improve the human condition worldwide. Their dream is still alive today. We are making significant impacts in the state of Alabama and beyond, even though our Institute looks slightly different now. Since 2008, we have expanded our campus in both physical footprint and the breadth of ongoing research. This past year saw a leadership expansion on campus as well. I stepped back from my role as President of HudsonAlpha and transitioned into Chief Scientific Officer. Together with our new President, Dr. Neil Lamb, I aim to ensure that HudsonAlpha continues moving genetics and genomics into the future to help improve the human condition. Sharing scientific discoveries is an integral part of being a research scientist. We hope you enjoy this brief look into the amazing science achieved at HudsonAlpha over the last few years.
Richard M. Myers, PhD Chief Scientific Officer President Emeritus M. A. Loya Chair in Genomics Faculty Investigator
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