MINNEAPOLIS — (BUSINESS WIRE) — September 18, 2013 — LifeScience Alley announced today two keynote speakers for the 2013 LifeScience Alley Conference, to be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on November 20, 2013. The 2013 Conference - “Healthcare Transformation – Surviving the Shift” - will focus on providing tools needed to keep businesses operating ahead of the healthcare transformation curve. Within this context, the keynote speakers will discuss emerging and innovative models in engineering, science and education. Jon Cobb, executive vice president, global marketing for Stratasys, will address the advancements of 3D printing and its implications on human health. Richard Miller, Ph.D., president, Olin College of Engineering, will discuss how the “Olin College Experiment” has actively re-designed higher engineering education for the next generation of innovators.

Global changes in the way healthcare is regulated, delivered and measured are creating opportunities for innovation across the industry. As a leader of the 3D printing world, Minnesota-based Stratasys is looking for solutions to complex medical problems using 3D printing technology. Mr. Cobb’s address, “The 3D Printing Revolution Applied to Human Health,” will explain how the growing abilities to customize medical devices and print personalized organs are impacting the medical landscape.

Higher education must also find creative and new ways to meet the changing demands of employers and the healthcare environment. Dr. Miller’s lecture on “The Olin College Experiment – Re-Designing Engineering Education for Our Next Generation of Innovators” will argue that education systems focused on producing leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) must include an emphasis on building non-technical skills related to these disciplines. Preparing students to integrate thinking across academic disciplines, political boundaries and time zones is necessary to prepare the next generation of engineering and healthcare professionals. Dr. Miller will explain how Olin College's approach has garnered acclaim in the past decade by doing just this.

“Minnesota has a long history of bringing together world-class healthcare innovation and standard-setting delivery of patient care," states Shaye Mandle, COO and EVP of LifeScience Alley. "This year’s conference will showcase our community's ongoing leadership in these areas while charting a course to meet the needs of tomorrow's patients, hospitals and providers.”

Jon Cobb is the executive vice president, global marketing for Stratasys Ltd. He joined the company in August of 1995 and has also held the positions of vice president and general manager for the Dimension 3D printing business unit and vice president of marketing. Cobb previously served as vice president of sales and marketing for Westec Security, Inc., and in management-level sales and marketing positions with Lockheed Martin's Calcomp Division. Cobb received a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Richard K. Miller, Ph.D., was appointed president and first employee of Olin College of Engineering in 1999 and is chief architect of its unique approach to higher education today. He served as Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa from 1992-99, following 17 years on the Engineering faculty at USC in Los Angeles and UCSB in Santa Barbara. Together with two Olin colleagues, he received the 2013 Bernard M. Gordon Prize from the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education. Miller served as Chair of the Engineering Advisory Committee of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and has served on advisory boards and committees for Harvard University, Stanford University, the NAE and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in addition to others.

About the LifeScience Alley Conference
The largest gathering of life science industry professionals in the Midwest, LifeScience Alley’s Conference brings together global leaders in the life science and healthcare industry to identify trends, share expertise and influence the direction of healthcare innovation. This event includes professionals from more than 450 organizations worldwide, including representation from more than 24 states and 10 countries. Experts will address changes in the regulatory and reimbursement environments, technical innovation and business operations and finance, keeping participants at the leading edge of the rapidly shifting healthcare environment. The 2013 conference features three keynote addresses, six breakout sessions, a new technology showcase and nearly 100 exhibits.
www.LifeScienceAlleyConference.org.

LifeScience Alley
Ryan Baird, 952-746-3818
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