Keynote Video Made Available by SENS Research Foundation Highlights Science and Technology for Diplomacy

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwired - October 19, 2015) - The SENS Research Foundation has released a video featuring a keynote address on Science Diplomacy, as delivered by Frances Colón, Acting Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of State, United States Department of State. Colón spoke at the foundation's recent Rejuvenation Biotechnology Conference in August 2015, explaining the importance of advising political leaders in the areas of science and technology so they can make better, more informed decisions that lead to greater peace, stability and prosperity. The video of Colón's keynote, Science and Technology for Diplomacy, is available to view now.

The Rejuvenation Biotechnology Conference gathers experts across research, academia, industry, policy, finance and regulatory fields to share ideas and the latest research and developments on diseases impacting the aging population on a global scale.

As Acting Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of State, Colón promotes the integration of science and technology into foreign policy dialogues, the global advancement of women in science, and innovation as a tool for economic growth around the world.

In the keynote video, Colón states that science solves problems, and that the very essence of scientific methods involve analysis, sharing, meritocracy, and peer review -- fundamentals that closely emulate a lot of values held by Democratic societies. As a result, in the process of promoting the integration of science and technology with policy discussions, as well as open access, and unbiased scientific advice around the world, then we are promoting some of the values we hold very dear.

Colón explains that science diplomacy is the interaction between science policy and foreign policy, or the translation of technology and scientific trends to political leaders who aren't particularly well versed in these areas. Bridging this gap allows for change in business and the way in which foreign affairs are handled.

She notes that scientists working within the White House, are engaging with non political tools. While policy may dictate the nature of relationships between the U.S. and other countries, scientists cooperate across borders and political divides. As such, science diplomacy has been an excellent asset in many situations, such as the recent collaboration between the U.S. and Cuba. Colón's team has visited labs and developed partnerships in Cuba which she says, has been doing excellent work in many areas -- solar energy, bio materials, and vaccines. Cuba has developed eight out of the 11 vaccines needed by children.

Colón cites the recent engagement with Cuba as an example of how science diplomacy can build bridges, adding that Cuban scientists are very capable and eager to work with the U.S., and a path has been paved to support more work and progress that will benefit both countries.

View the video Science and Technology for Diplomacyon the SENS Research Foundation web site at: http://www.sens.org/videos/science-and-technology-diplomacy.

About Frances Colón

In her role as a science diplomat, Colón has overseen the creation of the Networks of Diasporas in Engineering and Science to empower diasporas in the U.S. to use their expertise to solve challenges in their countries of origin. She also coordinated climate change policy for the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas announced by President Obama in 2009. Her first steps in diplomacy were in the Muslim world, enhancing K-12 science and math education cooperation. She is a graduate of the National Hispanic Leadership Institute and 2014-15 Delegate of the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program. She believes that the best scientists of the future will be those who can discover, create, communicate and lead at and beyond the bench.

About SENS Research Foundation (SRF)

SENS Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to research, develop, and promote comprehensive regenerative medicine solutions for the diseases of aging. SRF is focused on a damage repair paradigm for treating the diseases of aging, which it advances through scientific research, advocacy, and education. SENS Research Foundation supports research projects at universities and institutes around the world with the goal of curing such age-related diseases as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Educating the public and training researchers to support a growing regenerative medicine field are also major endeavors of the organization that are being accomplished though advocacy campaigns and educational programs. For more information, visit www.sens.org.