THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021
6:00 – 7:00 PM ET
Hosts
William E. Ford
CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
Dr. Richard P. Lifton
PRESIDENT
CARSON FAMILY PROFESSOR
THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
Benefit Program
The Rockefeller University’s 2021 CELEBRATING SCIENCE Virtual Benefit is honoring Pfizer and featuring Dr. Albert Bourla. During this unprecedented time in history, Dr. Bourla’s vision, creativity, and determination led Pfizer in bringing a first-of-its-kind vaccine to the world in record time. Pfizer’s ability to join a biotech’s spirit of innovation with the power and scale of a global pharmaceutical leader has saved countless lives.
CELEBRATING SCIENCE is Rockefeller’s signature annual event, bringing together trustees, friends, and benefactors to celebrate biomedical science.
This year’s program will feature scientific insights from Rockefeller investigators who are working at the frontier of science and medicine in immunology, virology, neuroscience, cancer research, and metabolism. The centerpiece of the program will be a frank and insightful conversation between President Rick Lifton and Dr. Bourla. They will discuss Pfizer’s path to a vaccine, the ways the pandemic is evolving, and the role of booster shots in combatting variants in the virus.
Proceeds from the benefit will fund groundbreaking research by Rockefeller scientists.
Dr. Albert Bourla
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PFIZER
The Rockefeller University recognizes Dr. Albert Bourla for his exemplary leadership in the fight against COVID-19. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bourla leads Pfizer in its purpose: Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives, with a focus on driving the scientific and commercial innovation needed to have a transformational impact on human health. There is no better exemplar of what science, innovation, and collaboration can bring to the betterment of human health than the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer.
During his more than 25 years at the company, Dr. Bourla has held senior global positions across a range of markets and disciplines. Prior to taking the reins as Chief Executive Officer in 2019, he served as Chief Operating Office, overseeing the company’s commercial strategy, manufacturing, and global product development functions.
Dr. Bourla began his Pfizer career in 1993, in the Animal Health Division as Technical Director of Greece. He held positions of increasing responsibility within Animal Health across Europe, before moving to Pfizer’s New York Global Headquarters in 2001, where he went on to assume a succession of leadership roles.
Albert Bourla is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and holds a Ph.D. in the Biotechnology of Reproduction from the Veterinary School of Aristotle University. In 2020, he was ranked as America’s top CEO in the pharmaceuticals sector by Institutional Investor magazine. He is on the executive committee of The Partnership for New York City, a vice president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, a board director of PhRMA, and a trustee of the United States Council for International Business.