Bill Gates set to speak at Illumina forum

Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates will be the keynote speaker at the Illumina Genomics Forum, scheduled to take place Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 in San Diego. Gates, who is co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will talk about genomics and its potential to change the trajectory of global health.

“Genomics should be available to the many, not the few, and even though the genomic health era has already led to breakthrough discoveries that are advancing medical care, the benefits have not yet had a true global impact,” said Kathryne Reeves, chief marketing officer at Illumina.

The forum will also include a panel discussion focused on increasing access to genomic health titled “Making Genomics for All More than a Mantra.” More information is available at www. illuminagenomicsforum.com.

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP) will host its annual Justice For All Celebration next month (Sept. 29) at Farmer & The Seahorse in Torrey Pines. In addition to the awards presentation, the evening will celebrate the volunteers, supporters and community members that allow SDVLP to continue their work to increase access to justice by providing pro bono legal assistance to San Diego community members.

Local attorneys and firms to be honored at the event for outstanding pro bono contributions include attorney Liliana Menzie of DLA Piper (Pro Bono Publico Award); Latham & Watkins LLP (Outstanding Law Firm); and Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association (Community Service Award).

“SDVLP is only as strong as the volunteers who give so selflessly of their time and expertise,” said Jennifer Nelson, CEO of SDVLP. “Without the commitment of all of our supporters, SDVLP would not be able to continue to provide free civil legal services to more than 6,000 San Diegans each year.”

Stacey Moy, special agent in charge of the F.B.I.’s San Diego Field Office, said the Bureau is currently hiring. A San Diego native and graduate of Torrey Pines High, Moy was tapped to lead the F.B.I.’s local operations in March 2022.

He told SDBJ’s managing editor Brad Graves recently that the federal government views San Diego as a prime recruiting ground. Moy also noted that there is much more available than the job most associate with the agency – special agent. The Bureau is also looking for computer scientists, intelligence analysts and surveillance technicians. More information is available at www.fbijobs.com.

UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography announced earlier this month that naval architecture and marine engineering company Glosten has been selected as the naval architect for the university’s new California coastal research vessel.

The new vessel will be an innovation in the maritime industry with a first-of-its-kind hydrogen-hybrid propulsion system. Seattle, Washington-based Glosten will be providing the engineering and design skills that will bring the vessel’s zero-emission capabilities to life. When complete, the research vessel will serve as a platform for UC-system education dedicated to understanding the California coast and climate change impacts to the coastal ecosystem. ■