Zika Research Highlighted at Department of Health Symposium  

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Boca Raton, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Health hosted the Zika Research Grant Symposium at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Grant funded researchers provided status updates on their research aims and their progress to date. The intent of the symposium is to advance collaboration among Zika researchers to accelerate research advancements related to the virus.

“It was a privilege to bring together leading researchers from Florida’s world-class research institutions and hear their inspiring progress in understanding Zika,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip. “While there is currently no active transmission in Florida, we remain vigilant and look to our researchers findings to prevent this virus and it’s potentially devastating effects on infants.”

This symposium highlights research stemming from 34 grant awards for Zika virus research following Governor Rick Scott’s authorization of $25 million in state funds for Zika research and vaccine development last fall. Grant funding was used to help expedite the development of a vaccine to prevent Zika infection, understand and mitigate long-term impacts of Zika virus on children and adults and develop innovative, cost-effective Zika testing methods.

Presentations featured researchers from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Florida, and the University of Miami. Governor Rick Scott and State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip provided opening remarks. The symposium was moderated by Dr. Danny Armstrong, Chair of the Biomedical Research Advisory Council.

For more information on Zika click here.

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