HUNTSVILLE, AL – Kelly East will lead the Educational Outreach department at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology as the new Vice President for Educational Outreach later this summer.

East will report to the President and provide strategic leadership for the educational initiatives that advance the Institute’s mission and that further its role as a leader in STEM education. As a member of HudsonAlpha’s executive leadership team, she will work collaboratively with senior managers across the Institute to promote enterprise initiatives and cultivate key stakeholder relationships at the local, state and national levels. She was selected following a national search.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Kelly in this role,” said Rick Myers, PhD, President, Science Director and M. A. Loya Chair in Genomics. “Throughout her time here at HudsonAlpha, both in her role as a genetic counselor and director of the Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Health, Kelly has proven that she is an outstanding leader. Kelly’s knowledge of the Institute will help her hit the ground running in this new position.”

Earlier this year, HudsonAlpha announced Neil Lamb, PhD, the Institute’s former Vice President for Educational Outreach, will become HudsonAlpha’s President effective July 1. In addition, Myers will transition from president to Chief Scientific Officer.

East was formerly the director of clinical education at HudsonAlpha as well as the director of HudsonAlpha’s Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine, where she supported multiple mission areas to expand the application of genomics through research, education and patient care. East came to HudsonAlpha in 2008. She received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Auburn University and a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

HudsonAlpha’s Educational Outreach team works to foster a genetics-literate society and train Alabama’s future biotechnology workforce. In her new role, East will help lead the team to develop and implement innovative teacher training, student experiences, public enrichment, classroom kits and digital resources that re-shape how science education is delivered.