SALT LAKE CITY — Nobel Prize-winning biologist Dr. Mario Capecchi addressed academics and professionals at the 19th annual conference of the Chinese Association for Science and Technology Saturday evening.

This year’s CAST-UT conference, titled “Innovation and Cooperation,” also featured remarks from Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser. Senate majority whip Stuart Adams also attended.

CAST-UT is Utah’s chapter of CAST-USA, a national non-profit. The organization promotes technological and cultural exchange between the U.S. and China while providing scholarship and networking opportunities for Chinese academics and professionals.

Capecchi’s keynote address focused on his current research in gene targeting, which he conducts in the University of Utah’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Before diving into the science of the speech, he gave a brief nod to the organization’s cooperative goals.

“China is a rising star, and we’re very lucky to have strong relationships with you,” Capecchi said. “I think there’s a lot of mutual interest in what we’re trying to pursue as nations, as well as in science.”

Niederhauser echoed the sentiment, noting that one-third of the nation’s Chinese language immersion programs are in Utah.

“The encouragement that you foster by emphasizing education and research are very important to our future,” the senator said. “The most important thing we can do is foster good relationships.”

The conference also included a report of CAST-UT’s 2014 successes, presented by 2014 chapter president Xiaoming Dong. Last year, the organization held 2 conferences, 6 research seminars and 6 cultural events, including a Chinese New Year celebration and a “Tree of Diversity” event near Christmas.

“We want everyone to know about the Chinese culture and Chinese people,” said Ruijie Sun, CAST-UT’s 2015 president.

Sun said Saturday’s conference was meant “to offer a benefit for the members of CAST-UT” by exposing them to new discoveries in science and technology. The conference included seminars by Utah and California professors on advances in medicine, energy technology and big data.

Although Sun said the organization has roughly 150 active members, the annual conference drew over 250 people.

“It’s a very active and different way to get exposure,” Sun said.

Saturday’s event was Sun’s first as active president of CAST-UT. Sun is a 29-year-old University of Utah graduate currently living in Orem. He has been involved with CAST-UT since serving as president of the U’s Chinese student association seven years ago.

The student club is one of CAST-UT’s many partner organizations, which also include the Utah Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Society of Utah. The organization also partners with government offices like the Mayor’s Office of Diversity of Affairs and the state offices of economic development and multicultural affairs.

Dong’s annual report expressed deep gratitude to CAST-UT’s various partners.

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“Just CAST-UT, we cannot do anything. But when you help us and we help you, together we can make a big difference.”

CAST-UT’s next public cultural event is a Chinese New Year celebration, to be held Feb. 21 at the Salt Lake Library.

Email: aoligschlaeger@deseretnews.com

Twitter: @allisonoctober

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