Mary Sansalone, dean of the School of Engineering, visits with state Rep. Allen Icet (R-84th), chairman of the House Budget Committee, shortly before her presentation at the BIO Benchmarking program held Sept. 5 in the Knight Center. Sansalone spoke on the convergence of engineering and biotechnology, and of the School’s vision in key research areas such as neural engineering, biomaterials, nanobiotechnology, biomedical imaging, quantitative systems biology, and energy and environment. The program, sponsored by the Missouri Biotechnology Organization (MOBIO), brought approximately 80 biotechnology leaders — including about a dozen legislators — to assess the state’s potential in biotechnology. The Missouri Biotechnology Organization is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to development and growth of the Missouri biotechnology and biomedical industry.