Latest news with #BrianKennedy
Technical.ly
12-07-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Pittsburgh is buzzing over the Trump energy summit at CMU — even protesters say it's historic
Tuesday is gearing up to be a big day for Pittsburgh. At least, if the local buzz is any indication. Whether they're critics or supporters of Carnegie Mellon University's decision to host an event with the US president on the guest list, people have been saying the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit could shape the region's future for years to come. Will it be the biggest day for the city since the G-20 in 2009? Brian Kennedy, the Pittsburgh Technology Council's senior vice president of operations and government affairs, goes even further. 'When the G20 came to Pittsburgh … they built a big fence around it so nobody could get in,' Kennedy said. 'This event is FOR Pittsburgh. It's not just hosted in Pittsburgh.' The July 15 event, convened by US Sen. Dave McCormick, is invitation-only and not open to the public. Along with President Donald Trump, the guest list includes Big Tech leaders like OpenAI's Sam Altman and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, as well as energy leaders like the CEOs of ExxonMobil and Shell, according to reporting by Axios. 'This summit is going to bring awareness to our region's advantage as a powerhouse in the global economic future, which is centered around AI,' Joanna Doven, executive director of the economic development coalition AI Strike Team, told 'And it will lead to job creation.' The event has also sparked some local backlash. A group of CMU students and faculty created a petition that accuses the university administration of 'making a clear stance, politically aligning themselves with the federal government and legitimizing their cuts to research, kidnapping of international students and abuse of power' by hosting the summit. Yet even petition organizers believe it'll be a day to remember. 'It is an important event in the sense of historical importance in a lot of ways, like the booming of AI recently, the impact on the environment,' said Jess Vinskus, a petition organizer and graduate student at CMU. 'They're inviting a bunch of energy and AI CEOs. There are going to be consequences for these types of companies and this type of legislation. It's going to be impactful, regardless of whichever side you are on those issues.' While the average Pittsburgher might not see the true impact right away, it will become more clear in the near future, suggested Kennedy, of the Tech Council. 'If you were to flash forward three to four years,' Kennedy said, 'I think you're gonna see a bunch of companies located in Pittsburgh that happened because of this particular first contact at Carnegie Mellon.' Whatever's discussed, local stakeholders aim to capitalize on the attention It's still unclear exactly what the summit will address, but Pennsylvania's natural gas resources, workforce and research institutions could all be on the table, according to a press release from McCormick's office, which also pledged to provide more detail. There will be local representation at the event, according to Kennedy. 'At least 25 members of the Pittsburgh Technology Council will have the opportunity to be showcased there, in a kind of trade show-like environment,' he said, while declining to elucidate further. The Pittsburgh Robotics Network will be one of the organizations exhibiting, but other 'specific names are being kept close to the chest for now,' said Maddi Love, PRN's director of communications. Shiv Rao, CEO and cofounder of local AI-powered healthtech startup Abridge, is one of the local executives planning to attend, per Will Pegler, Abridge's senior account executive. A day before the big summit, innovation ecosystem stakeholders are gathering at the Aurora Innovation headquarters in the Strip District's Robotics Row for a kickoff event. 'There's going to be attention on the region,' said Bethany Wallace, communications director at InnovatePGH, 'so let's look at what we can do to amplify what's happening here because Pittsburgh has become ground zero for AI.' Dubbed the AI Horizons preview, the Monday event is a partnership between InnovatePGH, the PRN, the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the AI Strike Team. The event, which frames Pittsburgh as a place with 'a tech culture that tackles hard problems without the noise' and promises 'conversations with founders who traded coastal hype for Pittsburgh's real-world edge,' will focus on national security, building unicorns in Pittsburgh and energy's role in the AI economy, with local tech heavyweights like Gecko Robotics and Abridge in attendance. 'This is a moment of national visibility for Pittsburgh's tech sector.' Maddi Love, Pittsburgh Robotics Network 'This is a moment of national visibility for Pittsburgh's tech sector,' said PRN's Love, and an opportunity to 'amplify Pittsburgh's voice as a national and global epicenter for AI and robotics.' There was chatter that Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. McCormick would attend the kickoff event, but as of Friday that had not been confirmed. Nevertheless, Doven said, the kickoff event coincides with the AI Strike Team's efforts to launch a new website that will better communicate the region's strengths for AI investment. 'The reality with July 15 is Senator McCormick has created an action-forcing event that enables economic groups and industry to get organized,' Doven said. 'We've been working on a strategic marketing and storytelling effort to communicate in one place Pittsburgh's unique AI advantages.' Those advantages are physical assets like natural gas and the local workforce, empty industrial sites that could be transformed into data centers, existing industry in Pittsburgh's innovation districts and of course the world's top AI school at CMU, according to Doven. Little university communication on student-faculty backlash The CMU petition, which had over 1,600 signatures as of Thursday, was delivered to university president Farnam Jahanian on Monday, according to Vinskus, the grad student organizer, who said CMU did not provide a formal response to the community's concerns. Asked about the petition, CMU Director of Media Relations Cassia Crogan provided with a prepared statement that did not address the community backlash. Vinskus claims university administration did not consult CMU's student government before agreeing to host the summit. 'It seems like they're making a lot of excuses that are, in my opinion, really dismissive and not taking our concerns to heart, which is really disappointing,' Vinskus said. 'They're saying this will look good for CMU, we're an AI hub and this is a great opportunity for us, without acknowledging all the terrible things that they're enabling by holding it.' Members of the CMU community plan to peacefully protest the event on July 15, according to Vinskus, with an emphasis on safety and avoiding confrontations with law enforcement.
Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
NUS Medicine hopes to help Singaporeans age more healthily
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine has come far in 120 years. The Straits Times takes a look at some of its achievements and where it is headed. SINGAPORE - Eternal youth might be a pipe dream, but having healthier bodies as one ages is a reality that the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme hopes to make possible for people. Its mission is to add healthy years of life by delaying ageing, as well as having people stay free of disease for as long as possible, so they are able to lead physically adept and socially active lives. It is an ambitious project involving about 45 NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine faculty members. They are leading or participating in many associated projects that look at different aspects of ageing, with the aim of slowing its progression. The programme, headed by Distinguished Professor Brian Kennedy, who was trained in biochemistry, mathematics and biology, was launched in 2022. Prof Kennedy said they hope to accomplish this goal 'through developing biomarkers to measure ageing, testing interventions to slow ageing, and creating implementation strategies to extend healthy life expectancy in Singapore'. The programme has developed an algorithm to calculate people's biological clock, which could be different from their years of life and indicates their mortality risk. Prof Kennedy said Singaporean Chinese, in general, have a biological age that is three to four years younger than their chronological age. But while Singaporeans today have a life expectancy of 83.5 years, they will spend an average of 10 years in relatively poor health. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seniors can claim $800 SG60 vouchers from July 1; adults to get $600 in vouchers from July 22 Singapore NSman, 30, dies in hospital after collapsing outside Maju Camp Asia Thai PM's suspension could spell end of Shinawatra clan's era of political dominance Singapore Judge rejects woman's claim that she owns 99% of Bukit Timah condo mostly paid for by ex-boyfriend Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 Singapore Trial opens for 3 women who allegedly organised procession outside Istana Business Do not overcommit to a single solution in a multi-polar world, says ex-foreign minister George Yeo Singapore 1MDB saga: Standard Chartered Bank disputes $3.4 billion claim by liquidators in Singapore Prof Kennedy said: 'Ageing impacts every aspect of how you function. It's the biggest risk factor for everything that goes wrong. So if we understand that, we can understand why people are getting sick and what to do about it better.' The team pursues a two-pronged approach. One is the effect of lifestyle, which means understanding the role of exercise, mental health, sleep and nutrition in ageing. The other focuses on the small molecules that impact ageing. Prof Kennedy said: 'We test supplements and repurpose drugs that we would target for people while they're still healthy to keep them healthy, rather than waiting until they get a diagnosis of some disease (before) trying to treat them at that stage.' Keeping its population healthy and active as it matures is what will make Singapore economically strong and give its citizens the best quality of life, he added. But while there are many products on the market that claim to keep people healthier for longer, there is also a lack of unbiased science around these products for people to know what truly is useful. 'We're trying to provide that credibility,' said Prof Kennedy. Many of the supplements his team tests are commercially available. 'These are not drugs that need 10 years to be developed. There are things that consumers can already purchase.' The Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme headed by Distinguished Professor Brian Kennedy was launched in 2022. PHOTO: NUS One supplement the team has studied that he is confident of pushing is alpha ketoglutarate (AKG), a compound made by the body that is involved in hundreds of different cell reactions. As people age, their levels of AKG drop. He said AKG acts as a kind of lubricant that allows enzymes to do what they need to do at the right time. 'But when the levels drop, the cell has trouble compensating for changes in its environment. We're trying to restore that, as in a way, that slows ageing and promotes health,' he explained. The team is also looking at the possibility of repurposing several drugs that have shown anti-ageing effects. Studies are still being done on these prescription-only drugs. Prof Kennedy added that there is no one magic bullet, but many different things which, together, can slow the ageing process. 'Small, sustainable changes make differences. Maybe it only gives you two to five years of extra health, but that's still a big effect.' One study involved deep phenotyping – determining and predicting the similarities and differences in how people age biologically and how the impact of the environment affects a person's health – of 400 people across ethnicities here. It measured the participants' biological age, physical function, body composition of fat, muscle and bone, and their grip strength. They were also given cognitive tests. 'We're trying to understand how Singaporeans are ageing, and what's unique in the Singapore population that may need to be addressed,' Prof Kennedy said. The study has been completed and is awaiting publication. Asians lose more bone density with age, compared with Caucasians. Prof Kennedy said that in the West, obesity and diabetes are driving age-related complications. Among Asians, the bigger issue is loss of muscle strength and frailty.
The Irish Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Putting Kneecap songs & lyrics on Leaving Cert would be clever way of speaking to new generation, says Irish music icon
RAPPERS Kneecap should be on the curriculum for the Leaving Certificate, Brian Kennedy has claimed. The singer grew up on the same streets in Advertisement 2 Kneecap lead singer Liam Og O hAnnaidh has been accused of terrorism offence Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 Brian Kennedy wants Kneecap songs added to the curriculum for the Leaving Certificate Credit: Alamy He is accused of displaying a flag in support of But Brian believes the group could teach Brian told The Irish Sun: 'I think putting the lyrics and songs of Kneecap on the Advertisement READ MORE ON KNEECAP 'Kneecap are passionate about the Irish language. I want to see them live.' Brian hopes he might meet Kneecap when he tours in new musical Moonlight: The Philip Lynott Enigma, which comes to This comes just days after UK Prime Minister Sir Asked if he thought the trio should perform at Glastonbury, Starmer replied: 'No, I don't, and I think we need to come down really clearly on this. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Breaking 'This is about the threats that shouldn't be made, I won't say too much because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate.' Conservative Party leader Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls for Glastonbury to axe Kneecap from the line-up Badenoch said in the X post: 'The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda. 'One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act. Advertisement 'As a publicly funded platform, the Last year Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK Government in the Belfast Kneecap took aim at her in their latest single, The Recap, released just before their headline set at London's Wide Awake festival in May, with the song mocking the politician's attempts to block their arts funding and the
Business Wire
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Travere Therapeutics Launches "Play It Forward" Campaign to Celebrate the FSGS Community on Inaugural Awareness Day
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Travere Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TVTX) today announced the launch of a new awareness campaign, 'Play It Forward,' to bring hope and encouragement to the focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) community. FSGS is a rare kidney disease (RKD) affecting children and adults and a leading cause of kidney failure. "We are proud to support the FSGS community in amplifying individual expressions of life and courage, and we're committed to transforming the challenges of FSGS into pathways of hope and healing." Share Launching on the first-ever FSGS Awareness Day, the campaign features a powerful anthem, written and produced by Grammy-winning musician Brian Kennedy and singer-songwriter, David Rush, both living with FSGS. The song celebrates the strength of the FSGS community coming together. The musicians invite the FSGS community to use the soundtrack to post their own creative and artistic expressions on social media, showcasing the unique talents of the community and the stories of individuals who are thriving beyond the limits of FSGS. "When I received my FSGS diagnosis, it felt like the volume of my life was suddenly turned down. My studio became my sanctuary," said Brian Kennedy, a multi-Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and pianist. "I'm proud to play it forward with music that helps others hear their own strength. Together, we're translating the invisible struggle of FSGS into creative expressions that everyone can witness, creating a soundtrack for solidarity." "Every FSGS story has the power to make a meaningful difference in someone else's life," said David Rush, singer, songwriter, motivational speaker, FSGS advocate, and patient. "While living with FSGS may try to dim my light, my music replenishes my spirit – that's how I play it forward for others fighting FSGS. This campaign provides a platform for patients and their loved ones to share experiences that offer hope, guidance, and inspiration to others facing similar challenges." The campaign launch also features a hero video featuring Kennedy and Rush discussing their FSGS journeys and documenting the creation of their anthem. By uniting with the FSGS community, the two artists turn isolation into connection, using their shared experiences to inspire and empower others living with FSGS. "On FSGS Awareness Day and every day, we know that obstacles impede every step of the patient journey -- from diagnostic hurdles to an often-aggressive progression to kidney failure,' said Jula Inrig, M.D., chief medical officer at Travere Therapeutics. 'We are proud to support the FSGS community in amplifying individual expressions of life and courage, and we're committed to transforming the challenges of FSGS into pathways of hope and healing." To follow or participate in the campaign, search #PlayitForwardFSGS. Learn more at About FSGS Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a rare proteinuric kidney disorder in children and adults that is estimated to affect more than 40,000 patients in the U.S., with similar prevalence in Europe. The disorder is defined by progressive scarring of the kidneys and often leads to kidney failure. FSGS is characterized by proteinuria, in which protein leaks into the urine due to a breakdown of the normal filtration mechanism in the kidney. Once in the urine, protein is toxic to other parts of the kidney, especially the tubules, and is believed to contribute to further disease progression. Other common symptoms include swelling in parts of the body, known as edema, as well as low blood albumin levels, abnormal lipid profiles and hypertension. There are currently no FDA-approved pharmacologic therapies for FSGS. About Travere Therapeutics At Travere Therapeutics, we are in rare for life. We are a biopharmaceutical company that comes together every day to help patients, families, and caregivers of all backgrounds as they navigate life with a rare disease. On this path, we know the need for treatment options is urgent – that is why our global team works with the rare disease community to identify, develop, and deliver life-changing therapies. In pursuit of this mission, we continuously seek to understand the diverse perspectives of rare patients and to courageously forge new paths to make a difference in their lives and provide hope – today and tomorrow. For more information, visit
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘I've survived cancer and grew up on the Falls – I can take being called sh**e': Brian Kennedy on criticism and his first acting role
Singer opens up to Kirsty Blake Knox about playing one of his literary heroes, his past health scares, Pride, and taking a stance on Gaza at Eurovision 'It's unrecognisable,' singer Brian Kennedy says in relation to the music industry, and how it's changed throughout his career. Kennedy is in the middle of recording his 19th album, which has the working title How Can I Keep From Singing?. '[The industry] is run more than ever by accountants and people who count numbers. There aren't really any artistic people out there running the machine, as it were.
