Local Life Science Leaders Unite to Address the Impacts of Poverty and Social Inequalities on New Yorkers
Today Life Science Cares (LSC), a collective effort of the life science industry to reduce the impact of poverty in select metropolitan regions, launched in New York City, continuing its national expansion into key geographies where the biotechnology field can make a lasting impact on the fight to end poverty. Local leaders representing a wide range of life science companies and non-profit 
organizations will gather at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, November 10 at 4 p.m. to rally the life sciences industry to reduce the effects of poverty on the region. LSC New York City (NYC) will also announce its board of advisors and local board of managers, while celebrating its inaugural non-profit partners and grant recipients.
Nearly a quarter of New Yorkers live in poverty – more than double the national average – and still millions more struggle to make ends meet, while the pandemic has only exacerbated the hardships and disparities experienced by vulnerable communities. LSC NYC will unite the human and financial resources of local companies and industry leaders to support non-profit service organizations doing the strongest work fighting poverty and inequalities in the New York region.
“New York has always been a city of opportunity, but too many of our neighbors and our children are struggling. Poverty is complex and persistent – but so is the life sciences community,” said R. Nolan Townsend, Chair of LSC New York City’s Board of Managers and CEO at Lexeo Therapeutics. “LSC NYC gives all of us who work in life sciences an incredible opportunity to come together and tackle one of society’s most critical issues. I know that by working together with outstanding community organizations, we will be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of New Yorkers.”
In its inaugural year, LSC NYC will focus on education and its impact on poverty – providing support to two local organizations, BioBus and HYPOTHEkids, to improve STEM education and provide opportunities for future careers in life sciences. These organizations were selected because of their incredible commitment to teaching science in dynamic ways to underserved and underrepresented children in New York City, and look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and connect students with members of the life science community to enhance their learning experience.
During the LSC NYC launch event at the NYSE, attendees will hear a thought-provoking panel discussion about the critical role that education plays in helping to end poverty. Led by Lily Wound, a member of LSC NYC’s Board of Managers and partner at Goodwin, the panel will feature Jeanne Garbarino, Ph.D., Executive Director, RockEDU Science Outreach, The Rockefeller University; Andrea Soonachan, Ed.D, University Dean for K16 Initiatives, City University of New York; Eva Brown Cramer, Ph.D., Distinguished Service Professor of Cell Biology and Vice President for Biotechnology and Scientific Affairs, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University; Kyesha Ruffin, Science Educator, NYC Public Schools and founder & Chief Executive Officer, Science in the City Inc.; and Jade Grieve, Chief of Student Pathways, overseeing all postsecondary readiness and work-based learning initiatives
“Life Science Cares NYC joins other LSC affiliates in Philadelphia, the Bay Area, San Diego, and the organization’s headquarters in Boston,” said Elizabeth Fassberg, Executive Director of LSC NYC. “We look forward to partnering with members of the New York life sciences community to continue giving life to LSC’s mission of building connections to make a lasting positive impact by combating poverty and inequity together.”
Life Science Cares is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes life science companies into collective community action and philanthropy. Its founding corporate partners include: Platinum sponsors Cooley, NYSE and Royalty Pharma; Gold sponsors KPMG, JP Morgan and Stifel; and Silver sponsor Goodwin.