World-renowned toxicologist and immunologist to speak at Calvin University
The Calvin University School of Health is hosting Dr. Yaw Bediako and Dr. Chris Holstege in late September. The two doctors sit on the School of Health’s advisory council and are highly esteemed among their peers.
Bediako ’04 is CEO and co-founder of Yemaachi BioTech, a cutting-edge biotechnology research company headquartered in Accra, Ghana. As an immunologist, Bediako has a broad interest in investigating immune function among African populations in order to better address immunopathology associated with infectious and non-infectious diseases among these populations.
Bediako will explore the role that biotech could play in advancing scientific innovation across Africa and what will need to happen if this great potential is to be fully realized. Dr. Bediako’s session is being co-sponsored by the School of Health and a Science and Christianity in Oxford supporting structures grant by the John Templeton Foundation.
Holstege ’88 is a professor within the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He is an internationally renowned toxicologist and academician. He has also been integrally engaged with a number of high-profile cases associated with criminal poisoning, substance use, and weapons of mass destruction.
Holstege will speak briefly about select high-profile cases with which he has been engaged and that are in the public domain or that have been fully adjudicated, the challenges associated with those cases, and the role of multidisciplinary teams to assure the correct diagnosis is made and that justice is brought to the victim(s).
“Doctors Bediako and Holstege are esteemed among their peers and doing such important innovative work in their fields,” said Adejoke Ayoola, dean of the Calvin University School of Health. “To have the opportunity to hear about what’s happening on the cutting edge of science from practitioners who are themselves leading in these areas is a gift to not only the Calvin community, but to all of west Michigan and beyond.”
The lectures are free and open to the public. Bediako will speak on September 29 from 3-4 p.m.; Holstege on Friday, September 30, from 2-3 p.m. Both lectures will be held in the Covenant Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Parking is available (Lots 9 & 10) near the building.