UCSF symposium on medicine and high tech to honor William J. Rutter

By Kristen Bole

William J. Rutter, Ph.D.

## What:

UCSF is hosting a symposium on the intersection of medical science and information technology in recognition of the visionary thinking of William J. Rutter, PhD.  The symposium will coincide with formal renaming of the Community Center at UCSF Mission Bay to the William J. Rutter Center.

Titled, “Hippocrates Meets Silicon Valley,” the symposium will include panelists from the cutting edge of biotechnology, research and information technology. The media are invited to attend.

## Who:

Moira Gunn, PhD, host of NPR’s “Tech Nation” and “Biotech Nation,” will moderate the program. Topics and speakers are:

Drugs, Bugs and Microarrays—Joseph DeRisi, PhD, UCSF Professor of
Biochemistry & Biophysics

Minding Behaviors: New Approaches to Intervention and Care—Eric Dishman, PhD, Global Director of Health Research & Innovation, Intel Corp.

Transforming Breast Cancer Care in Real Time with Information Technology—Laura Esserman, MD, MBA, UCSF Professor of Surgery & Radiology

Bytes, Genes and People—Darren Platt, PhD, Senior Director of Research, 23andMe

The Power of Metrics: Personal Health Management—Matt Sanders, MS, Chief Executive Officer, iMetrikus

## When:

Thursday, November 29

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

## Where:

The William J. Rutter Center, UCSF Mission Bay

1675 Owens St., San Francisco

## Interview and Photo Opportunities:

Speakers will be available for interviews.

## Media Contact: 

Wallace Ravven, UCSF News Office, 415-476-2557.

## Background:

William Rutter is a distinguished scientist, faculty leader and biotech pioneer. Widely recognized for his pivotal role in turning UCSF into a power house for basic science, Rutter chaired the UCSF Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and led its application of recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering.

One of the founders of Chiron Corp., Rutter applied those tools to develop diagnostic tests for HIV and hepatitis C, as well as for vaccines and therapies used throughout the world. As chairman of the Bay Area Life Sciences Alliance, Rutter helped shape UCSF Mission Bay and the wider biotechnology community.

Now, through the naming of the William J. Rutter Center, he will be indelibly linked with one of his grandest visions: UCSF Mission Bay.