BioForward Wisconsin is excited to announce the winners of the tenth annual Wisconsin Biohealth Awards, which honor exceptional scientific and business accomplishments within the state’s dynamic biohealth industry. These prestigious awards celebrate individuals who are pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and translational research and leading businesses that impact our daily lives. These awards are a highlight of Wisconsin’s premier gathering of biohealth leaders—the Wisconsin Biohealth Summit.
HECTOR F. DELUCA SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. Cecilia Hillard – Professor of Pharmacology, Medical College of Wisconsin
Dr. Cecilia J. Hillard is a distinguished leader in pharmacology and neuroscience, currently serving as Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Director of the Neuroscience Research Center, and Associate Dean for Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She also holds the G. Frederick Kasten, Jr. Chair in Parkinson’s Disease Research. Dr. Hillard’s research has provided groundbreaking insights into how constituents of the cannabis plant affect brain function and recovery after stress and injury. Her work, supported by five NIH grants and reflected in over 250 peer-reviewed publications, has earned her a place among Stanford University’s top 2% of global research scientists. Dr. Hillard has significantly influenced the research landscape in Wisconsin through her innovative studies, her role in founding the Neuroscience Research Center, and her mentorship of the next generation of research scientists.
WISCONSIN BIOHEALTH BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. Sue Wallace – CEO, Voximetry
Dr. Sue Wallace has been a transformative figure in the Wisconsin biohealth community for over 30 years, particularly through her work in the radiation sciences. As the CEO of Voximetry, she continues to advance cancer care by tailoring treatment plans for individual patients, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in modern medicine. Dr. Wallace began her career at GE Healthcare, focusing on revolutionizing cancer diagnosis and treatment through molecular imaging. She further contributed to the field by building a nationwide network of radiopharmaceutical production facilities at Cardinal Health, making Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging accessible across the country. Before leading Voximetry, she worked with Philips’ Radiation Oncology division, enhancing cancer treatment effectiveness through precision treatment planning technologies. A GE-trained Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Dr. Wallace holds a PhD in Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis and has led multiple global businesses. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, she now leads a spin-off venture from the University of Wisconsin Medical Physics department.
Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward, expressed her enthusiasm for this year’s honorees, stating, “Dr. Cecilia Hillard’s groundbreaking work in cannabinoid signaling perfectly aligns with this year’s summit theme, ‘Innovation and Impact in Biohealth,’ as her contributions have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of complex biological systems. Additionally, Dr. Sue Wallace’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to lead her teams in multiple Wisconsin companies make her a truly deserving recipient of the Wisconsin Biohealth Business Achievement Award. We take great pride in honoring these remarkable individuals for their outstanding achievements, which not only exemplify the innovation within Wisconsin’s biohealth sector but also underscore Wisconsin’s position as a hub of excellence in both scientific innovation and business leadership.”
The highly anticipated 2024 Wisconsin Biohealth Awards will take center stage at the Wisconsin Biohealth Summit, scheduled for October 28 and 29, 2024, at the Monona Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin. This year’s summit, themed “Shaping the Future of Biohealth: Innovation, Impact, and Industry Leadership,” will focus on fortifying the biohealth industry with an emphasis on innovation and leading-edge advancements. The summit will explore the future of biohealth through sessions covering groundbreaking advancements in AI, sustainable practices, emerging growth companies, and the latest developments from the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub. Additionally, attendees will engage with pioneering companies and industry leaders, learn about the latest advancements, and contribute to the future of biohealth innovation.
For more information about Wisconsin Biohealth Summit and Awards, please visit https://www.bioforward.org/bioforward-wisconsin-biohealth-summit-2024/.
About BioForward
BioForward Wisconsin represents more than 250 member organizations across an integrated network of health solution leaders, including research institutions, biotech and biopharma, digital health, healthcare systems, and medical device, and diagnostics. It is an action-oriented association that focuses on initiatives to strengthen the state’s biohealth industry. Learn more about BioForward Wisconsin at www.bioforward.org.
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