Newswise — The Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) has recruited Elizabeth Gianini as Vice President, External Relations for Burnham at Lake Nona, Orlando. Ms. Gianini will join Burnham on July 9 from her current position as Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard Crotty.
"Elizabeth has brought tremendous assets to Orange County over the past four years," said Mayor Richard T. Crotty. "As sorry as I am to lose her, I can think of no one better to represent the Burnham in Florida."
Burnham executed an intensive search over several months, considering many candidates suggested by Orlando's community leaders.
"It was our intention to recruit someone extraordinary to act as our point person for External Relations in Orlando," said Dr. John C. Reed, President and CEO. "Elizabeth Gianini is a stellar addition to our Burnham Team, and we can't wait to get to work!"
Elizabeth Gianini, recently honored with Salem College's "Distinguished Young Alumni Award for 2007" , brings with her a robust portfolio of experience and leadership in public service in Orlando, the State of Florida, and nationally. Prior to her position with the County of Orlando, Ms. Gianini held appointments as Director of Public Affairs for the lobbying firm of Foley and Lardner in Washington; Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative in the Office of the U.S. Trade Ambassador, in Washington; Deputy Executive Director, Republican Party of Florida, Tallahassee; and District Director for Congressman Bill McCollum, Orlando.
Ms. Gianini's current board memberships include the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis; The Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance; and Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She chaired Mayor Crotty's Women's Leadership Summit in 2005, 2006, and 2007. She has served on the Women's Advisory Council, Orando Regional Hospital, and as a governing board member for Athena PowerLink. For two successive years, Orlando Magazine singled out Ms. Gianini among its 50 Most Powerful People to Watch, and the Orlando Business Journal recognized her with its "40 under 40 award" . Ms. Gianini earned her B.A. degree in Spanish and History from Salem College. She is fluent in Spanish.
Burnham Institute for Medical Research conducts world-class collaborative research dedicated to finding cures for human disease, improving quality of life, and thus creating a legacy for its employees, partners, donors, and community. The La Jolla, California campus was established as a nonprofit, public benefit corporation in 1976 and is now home to three major centers: a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center, the Del E. Webb Center for Neurosciences and Aging, and the Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center. Burnham today employs more than 750 people and ranks consistently among the world's top 20 organizations for the impact of its research publications. In 2006, Burnham established a center for vascular mapping and bionanotechnology in Santa Barbara, California. Burnham is also establishing a campus at Lake Nona in Orlando, Florida that will focus on diabetes and obesity research and will expand the Institute's drug discovery capabilities, employing over 300 persons. For additional information about Burnham and to learn about ways to support its research, visit http://www.burnham.org.
RSS