Florida is home to the nation’s second-largest medical device manufacturing industry, second-largest pharmaceuticals manufacturing industry, and the fourth-largest biotech R&D industry. In addition, Florida has the 3rd largest concentration of healthcare providers in the United States. (Source: Select Florida)
This seminar will bring representatives of a life science cluster in Florida to Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and provide opportunities for in-person networking. It consists of a welcoming address from Mayor Jane Castor, City of Tampa, opening remarks from President Rhea F. Law, JD, University of South Florida (USF), and the introduction of cutting-edge research at USF Health and initiatives at Tampa General Hospital, the presentation from Japanese company that have already expanded into Florida. We welcome the participation of everyone who is interested in doing business in Florida and those who are interested in collaboration and joint research.
Language:English (Simultaneous Translation NOT available)
Date: Tue, April 1st, 3:00-5:30pm (JST)
Venue:
Register here! Nihonbashi Life Science HUB/Online
(Opens an external site)
Registration due date
Tue, April 1st, 3:00(JST)
Program
| 15:00 | Welcome: Mayor Jane Castor, City of Tampa |
| 15:05 | Opening Remarks: President Rhea F. Law, JD, University of South Florida |
| 15:10 | Opening Remarks: Dr. Shunichi Takahashi, Ph.D. President and COO of LINK-J |
| 15:15 | Florida's Life Science Ecosystem: Provost Prasant Mohapatra, Ph.D. The Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs for the University of South Florida |
| 15:35 | Introducing cutting-edge research at USF Health and Tampa Medical Research District: Dr. Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, Executive Vice President for USF Health and Dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida |
| 15:55 | Introducing cutting-edge initiatives at TGH: Ms. Stacey Brandt, MBA, Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, Tampa General Hospital |
| 16:15 | Introduction of Nipro Medical Corporation Business Mr. Akira Shimizu, CEO, Nipro Medical Corporation |
| 16:30 | Closing Remarks; Dr. Takahashi of LINK-J |
| 16:35 | Networking Reception |
| 17:30 | Closing |
Speakers
 | Mayor Jane Castor, City of Tampa In 2019, the Tampa community elected Jane Castor to serve as the city’s59th Mayor. This longtime public servant and former Tampa Police Chief remains laser-focused on her vision for “Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow”—a five-pillar strategic plan centered around strengthening community-centric services, enhancing workforce development, increasing housing affordability, improving transportation, and fostering sustainability and resilience. Under Mayor Jane Castor’s visionary leadership, her administration passed the most extensive water/wastewater infrastructure plan in the city’s history, in addition to the first budget starting in the black since the great recession. Her key achievements within the past two years also include helping secure more than $90 million for transportation and mobility improvements, hiring the City’s first Sustainability and Resilience Officer, and launching various strategic initiatives to support prosperous and equitable job growth, economic developments, and housing opportunities. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Jane graduated from Chamberlain High School and attended the University of Tampa on an athletic scholarship. |
 | President Rhea F. Law, JD, University of South Florida Rhea Law is the eighth president of the University of South Florida. She first served as interim president in August 2021 and was unanimously confirmed in March 2022. A fifth-generation Floridian and proud USF graduate, she has deep ties to the university and the state. Law earned a management degree from USF while working as a research project administrator, later obtaining her law degree from Stetson University. A founding member of the USF Board of Trustees, she served as vice chair for five years and as the board’s first female chair for four, playing a key role in USF’s growth as a top research university. Under her leadership, USF achieved its goal of joining the prestigious Association of American Universities in 2023. Previously, Law was CEO and board chair of Florida law firm Fowler White Boggs, leading its 2014 merger with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. She continued as chair of the firm’s Florida offices until 2021, overseeing a national network of lawyers specializing in industries such as energy, finance, health care, and life sciences. Law is also actively involved in corporate, public policy, civic, and charitable work. |
.png) | Provost Prasant Mohapatra, Ph. D, The Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs for the University of South Florida Before joining USF in2023, Dr. Mohapatra was the Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of California, Davis. He was also a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science. He served as the Dean and Vice-Provost of Graduate Studies at the University of California, Davis, from 2016 to2018. He served as an Associate Chancellor from 2014 to 2016and the Interim Vice-Provost and CIO of UC Davis from 2013to 2014. He was the Department Chair of Computer Science from 2007 to 2013 and held the Tim Bucher Family Endowed Chair Professorship during that period. |
.png) | Dr. Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, Executive Vice President for USF Health and Dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida Dr. Lockwood is an internationally recognized expert in obstetrics and gynecology, celebrated for his groundbreaking research on fetal fibronectin, tissue factors, and the mechanisms behind preterm birth. He has authored more than 322 peer-reviewed publications and has been awarded five patents, consistently receiving grant support from organizations such as the NIH and March of Dimes. Dr. Lockwood has held leadership positions in several prestigious medical organizations, including the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society and the Society for Reproductive Investigation, earning numerous accolades for his research and mentorship. Beyond his academic achievements, he is dedicated to public health and the economic development of the Tampa Bay area, serving on various influential local boards. |
 | Ms. Stacey Brandt, MBA, Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, Tampa General Hospital Stacey Brandt is the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Tampa General Hospital, where she leads strategy, marketing, external affairs and business development across the health system’s six hospitals and 150-plus care locations. She was instrumental in crafting Tampa General’s five-year strategic plan, which significantly increased market share and patient volume. A recognized health care leader, Brandt has been honored by Modern Healthcare, Becker’s Hospital Review and the American Marketing Association. She holds an MBA from the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. |
.png){kind=spacer} | Mr. Akira Shimizu, CEO, Nipro Medical Corporation 2013 Joined Nipro Medical Corporation (Position: Controller) 2017 Appointed CFO 2019 Appointed President and CEO of Nipro Medical Corporation 2024 Appointed CEO of Nipro Holding Americas, Inc. |
Participation Fee
Free
Organizer
Organizer：LINK-J
Contact
LINK-J
contact@link-j.org
