‘Ask a Scientist’ panel on stem cells, COVID-19 features UNMC’s Dr. Ali Khan

KEARNEY – Dr. Ali Khan will lead a panel discussion on COVID-19, stem cells and other topics at an upcoming “Ask a Scientist” event in Kearney.

The discussion, “How Do We Know What We Know About Health Science?” begins at 5 p.m. Sept. 23 at Kearney’s Platte Valley Brewery, 14 N. Railroad St.

The talk is presented by the University of Nebraska at Kearney chapter of Sigma XI, The Scientific Research Society and Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures.

Khan is dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, retired assistant surgeon general and former director of public health preparedness and response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Khan has focused his career on bioterrorism, global health and emerging infectious diseases.

While directing global infectious disease activities, he designed the laboratory component of the CDC’s field epidemiology and training program. He also helped design and implement the CDC component of the $1.2 billion, five-year President’s Malaria Initiative.

Joining Khan as honored panelists will be Kim Carlson, professor and assistant chair of biology at UNK, and Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures President and retired University of Nebraska Medical Center Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs David Crouse.

“This event is for attendees to ask their pressing questions dealing with any aspect of science,” said Carlson. “This could be COVID-19, stem cell use/disuse, scientific literacy or any pressing questions that the audience has.”