Del Mar-Solana Beach Rotary lineup of speakers to discuss cancer, Kenya, biotech

Interested individuals are invited to hear these special speakers at upcoming meetings of the Rotary Club of Del Mar-Solana Beach. The club’s meetings are held over breakfast from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Morgan Run Clubhouse.

Friday, Sept. 12:

Dr. Dominique Verhelle of Pfizer will speak about two diverse topics:

• “Epigenetics Research in Cancer.” Epigenetic research can lead to more successful cancer treatment through its study of chemical reactions that activate and deactivate part of the genome.

• “Kenya Service Project.” On her recent trip to Kenya, she led computer training of orphans and adults (as well as teaching French).

Verhelle is a director in the Oncology Research Unit at Pfizer. She leads its effort in epigenetic research applied to cancer therapies and early drug discovery programs. She has 18 years of experience in research focusing on diabetes, obesity and oncology. Dominique earned her MBA from The Rady School of Management and holds a Ph.D. in life sciences from the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, France.

Friday, Sept. 19:

Joe Panetta, president and CEO of BIOCOM, will focus on the challenges and accomplishments of San Diego’s biotech companies.

Panetta leads BIOCOM in its mission to accelerate life science success for Southern California by advocating for 600 local companies, service sector firms, universities and research institutes working in the biotechnology and biomedical device arena. He serves on many boards and committees, including the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee for the CA Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), which provides grant funding under the $3 billion California stem cell initiative. He earned his bachelor of science degree in biology from LeMoyne College and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Pittsburgh.

For information or to reserve, contact Paul Butler at 619-559‑3213 or info@DMSBRotary.com, or go to

www.DMSBRotary.com

.