The 2024 AZBio Awards highlighted outstanding achievements within Arizona’s bioscience community. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the event recognized leaders who embody the innovation and impact of the state’s growing life science industry. Held at the Phoenix Convention Center on September 18, 2024, the awards brought together key figures driving progress in research, healthcare, and biotechnology.
Sidney M. Hecht, PhD, Director for the Center for BioEnergetics at ASU’s Biodesign Institute, was honored with the AZBio Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement for his influential career in advancing bioenergetics research.
Calviri was named Arizona Bioscience Company of the Year for its groundbreaking work in cancer prevention and diagnostics, while Kristen Oelschlager, COO of Castle Biosciences, received the Jon W. McGarity Arizona Bioscience Leader of the Year award for her exceptional leadership in biotechnology.
Longtime advocates Barbara and Jack Kavanagh, founders of the Arizona Myeloma Network, received the AZBio Service Award for their dedication to cancer research and patient support. In addition, Nader Sanai, MD, Director of the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, was recognized as Arizona Bioscience Researcher of the Year for his groundbreaking work in neurosurgical oncology at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Finally, Kelle Hyland, Program Manager for the KEYS Program at the BIO5 Institute, earned the Michael A. Cusanovich Bioscience Educator of the Year award for her impactful contributions to youth engagement in science. Fast Lane Awards were presented to Nectero Medical, The Patient Company, and PriZm Therapeutics for their rapid advancements in bioscience innovation.
About AZBio
Founded in 2003, the Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc. (AZBio) supports life science innovation and life science innovators in Arizona. A key component in Arizona’s life science ecosystem, AZBio is the only statewide organization exclusively focused on Arizona’s bioscience industry. AZBio membership includes patient advocacy organizations, life science innovators, educators, healthcare partners, philanthropists, and leading business organizations. AZBio members employ over 345,000 Arizonans.