Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory Expands Board of Trustees, Appoints Dr. Jeremy Levin of Bristol-Myers Squibb

GOTHIC, Colo., June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), an internationally renowned center for scientific research on high-altitude ecosystems, today announced the election to its Board of Trustees of Jeremy Levin, D.Phil., MB BChir.  Dr. Levin is Senior Vice President of Strategy, Alliances and Transactions at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

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Dr. Ian Billick, Executive Director of RMBL, commented, "As one of the oldest and largest institutions serving research in the field, RMBL has provided unique insights into how biological systems, from molecules to ecosystems, are responding to environmental change.  As understanding the environment becomes even more critical to maintaining the quality of our lives and sustaining our economies, it is increasingly important we continue to build our organization and complement the strengths of our Board.  In that capacity we are delighted to have Jeremy join us."

Dr. Levin stated, "By participating in RMBL's programs and hands-on research, generations of visiting scientists have had unparalleled opportunities to document and better understand the impact of man on the natural environment.  In addition, research conducted at RMBL has contributed key insights into the effects of pollutants on human health and pollination in securing the food supply.  These insights have direct relevance to our daily lives.  I am honored to join the Board of Trustees of RMBL."

Jeremy Levin is a member of the Senior Management Team at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) where he serves as the Senior Vice President of Strategy, Alliances and Transactions.  He joined BMS in 2007 and is responsible for the company's global strategy. In addition, Dr. Levin is in charge of business development, mergers, acquisitions and collaborations with academic centers, biotechnology companies and other pharmaceutical companies.  In this capacity, he designed and implemented the BMS "String of Pearls" strategy to acquire innovative new medicines and capabilities in 2007.  This effort complements the internal programs and today accounts for nearly half of BMS' pipeline, bringing the hope and reality of new medicines to patients with cancer and other diseases.  In addition to securing new medicines, Dr. Levin's team manages the alliances with other major companies that provide a substantial proportion of the company's revenue.

Prior to joining BMS, Dr. Levin served as the Global Head of Business Development and Strategic Alliances at the Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research.  He also was CEO of several biotechnology companies, including Physiome Sciences, Inc. and Cadus Pharmaceutical Corporation, and was managing director of Perseus Capital LLC, a life sciences venture fund.  Dr. Levin has served on the executive committees and boards of several public biosciences companies and on the boards of the Biotechnology Institute and the New York Biotechnology Association.

Dr. Levin holds a B.A. in Zoology, and M.A. and Doctorate (D.Phil.) in Cell Biology and Chromatin Structure from the University of Oxford, as well as a medical degree (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) from the University of Cambridge.  In 2005, Dr. Levin was awarded the Albert Einstein Award for Contributions to the Life Sciences.

Having grown up in a farming community in South Africa, Dr. Levin still has a small beef cattle farm in Connecticut and maintains a deep passion for conservation biology and wildlife ecology - a passion well aligned with the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory's goals.  He and his wife, Margery Feldberg, have been part of the community in Crested Butte for over two decades.

The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL):  Founded in 1928 on the remains of the old historic mining town of Gothic, RMBL brings together decades of discovery and scientific training to advance informed stewardship of the Earth.  Home to one of the largest annual migrations of field biologists, RMBL focuses on understanding a complex world through the work of generations of scientists and is a vital resource for discovering nature's fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes.  The ability to understand these complex and interconnected ecosystems through scientific exploration and discovery has never been more important.

SOURCE Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory