V OL . 7
SEPTEMBER 2005
NO. 1
NEWSLETTER OF B I O - L I N K • T H E N AT I O N A L A D VA N C E D T E C H N O L O G I C A L E D U C AT I O N C E N T E R FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
BIO-LINK EXHIBITS AT BIO 2005 BIO-LINK’S
SEVENTH
ANNUAL
SUMMER
FELLOWS
FORUM
Drs. Elaine Johnson (right) and Bart Gledhill (center), Bio-Link
Director and Bio-Link Deputy Director, presented a plaque of
appreciation to keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Colvin, who accepted
with his wife, Phung, and daughter, Kate, at Bio-Link’s seventh
Annual Summer Fellows Forum Dinner Banquet.
BIO-LINK’S SEVENTH ANNUAL SUMMER FELLOWS FORUM 2005
was once again hosted by the National Center located at City
College of San Francisco (CCSF) from June 1 through June 5 at
the Clark Kerr Campus conference site in the picturesque setting
BIO-LINK’S DISPLAY WAS ONE OF THE RECORD 1,525 of Berkeley, California. Fifty Fellows (community college instruc-
exhibits during the BIO 2005 International Biotechnology tors and high school teachers) from across the nation were
Convention & Exhibition at the Center in Philadelphia, selected by Bio-Link’s Regional Directors to participate in the
Pennsylvania, June 20 -22. weeklong forum. The forum entitled Today and Tomorrow
BIO is a spectacular event in itself (a record breaking consisted of various workshops, a tour of Lawrence Berkeley
attendance 18,730 attendees from 56 countries and all National Lab, informal meetings, and a dinner banquet.
50 U.S. states), with celebrity guest speakers, a large
selection of sessions, meetings, and fantastic receptions. As in the past, this year’s forum afforded each fellow the oppor-
tunity to profile their program at their school or college, to
Each exhibitor displayed organizational literature and network and to share ideas and discuss issues that will continue
handed out fantastic giveaways ranging from stuffed to build the link between education and industry. The fellows
animals to pens to post-its to mouse pads to candy to participated in workshops given by guest lecturers, who donated
stress balls to t-shirts. This year, Bio-Link gave away their time and supplies. Thank you to all the presenters, everyone
Carabineer Key Chain Links in five fabulous metallic appreciated your efforts! Drs. Matt Pleil and Fabian Lopez of
colors. Several exhibitors raffled off incredible prizes. the Southwest Center for Microsystems at Albuquerque Technical
Bio-Link had many volunteers to help staff the booth Vocational Institute
as about 1000 attendees stopped by for information. conducted the MEMS
Many thanks go to Bio-Link’s own Elaine Johnson, Lisa and CantileverBioSensors In This Edition
Seidman, and Sonia Wallman for their assistance in the workshop; Dr. Ray
exhibit hall. Mariella of Lawrence From the Director 2
Livermore National Lab, Regional News
Bio-Link hopes to exhibit again at BIO 2006 in Chicago, offered The Real World
Illinois next April. South Central 4-5
– Lisa Huffman, National Center See Summer Fellows North Central 6
Forum, page 3
Biotechnology Institute’s 6
Teacher-Leader Program
Find out more about the National Bio-Link Center
BABEC Summer Intern Shines 7
at City College of San Francisco • www.bio-link.org
at Research Symposium
From the Director ^ Dr. Elaine Johnson
BUILDING CAPACITY: THE NEW CHALLENGE
DEMAND FOR SKILLED WORKERS in the investments to accommodate local the country. I am happy to report that
biotechnology industries is causing alarm solutions for addressing biotechnology Bio-Link is actively engaged in planning
for community and technical programs workforce needs. The Biotechnology for a similar session for BIO 2006 in
that are preparing the technical work- Institute is also expanding its involvement Chicago. Additionally, Dr. Lisa Seidman
force. In the May 2005 issue of Genetic with Bio-Link’s workforce efforts. will serve as the Regional Bio-Link
Engineering News, David G. Jensen’s representative on the Education and
One of the most significant approaches
article, “Creating and Educating a New Outreach Committee for BIO 2006.
to meeting industry demand has been
Biotech Workforce,” substantiates these
Bio-Link continues to hold
concerns. Bio-Link from its
inception has had support “The challenges facing all of us are outweighed a national and even interna-
for growing programs at tional presence in work-
community and technical
by the successes that we are making every force preparation and
colleges as a day in building the skilled workforce of today capacity building for com-
central goal. Our Summer munity and technical col-
Fellows Forum has become
and the future.” lege programs. It is only
a national showpiece for because of all of you that
creating leadership in local communities the creation of short-term training are a part of the growing Bio-Link
across the nation. Regional workshops programs. This is true for North Carolina network that this vital work can con-
have also been effective in enhancing and Massachusetts. It is clear from the tinue. The challenges facing all of us are
the skills of the instructors. Now many Council of Biotechnology Centers outweighed by the successes that we
programs are scaling up to meet local Community College Program held at BIO are making every day in building the
industry demands. The Department 2005 in Philadelphia in June that many skilled workforce of today and the
of Labor has announced a series of exciting models are being tested across future. We welcome your participation.
2005 National Biotechnology
Biotech Institute Holds National Teacher-Leader Winner Lucy
Teacher-Leader Program Levesque received a $10,000
check from Genzyme and
OVER 210 TEACHERS from the Thursday, Best Practices Day, Invitrogen.
United States and Canada partic- showcased programs, initiatives,
Seniors”; “Bridge to Biotech:
ipated in the Biotechnology and sessions such as:
Beyond Dollars: Creating Sus-
Institute’s fourth National “A Whale of a Tale: Solving tainable Partnerships with the
Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Mysteries of Declining Whale Industry”; “Developing a Biot-
Program at BIO 2005 in Phila-
Populations” (Bioinformatics); echnology Program at Light
delphia, from Wednesday, June
“Harvest on the Horizon: Under- Speed - An Approach Not For
15 to Saturday, June 19. Partici-
standing the Science, Exploring the Faint of Heart”; and, “Mo-
pants received a full registration Cleveland, OH, CoraBeth Abel,
the Issues of Food Biotech- deling the Molecular World”
to BIO 2005 and a $250 gift VP, Massachusetts Biotechnology
nology”; “DNA is “The Show,”
certificate from Invitrogen. Highlights on Friday included Education Foundation (Mass-
but Proteins are “The Dough”
the field trip to the Delaware BioEd), Ashley Wildrick, Special
New this year was the Tri-State of Biotech”; Glaxo-SmithKline’s
Biotechnology Institute, the Assistant to the President/Project
Teacher-Leader Day. 100 teach- “US Science Education Strategy”;
panel “Addressing Workforce Coordinator, San DiegoWorkforce
ers from Delaware, New Jersey “Biotechnology, Science of the
Challenges through the Power Partnership, Inc., and Suzanne
and Pennsylvania attended an New Millennium – Development
intensive one-day professional of E3” moderated by Maggie Kocian, Workforce and Education
of Technology Based Programs”
development program of hands- Ewell, Business Relations Group, Coordinator,BIOCOM. Affymetrix
(Thomas Jefferson University);
on workshops with guests U.S. Department of Labor with provided speaker Thane Kreiner
“Best Practices in Biomanufac-
speakers Matt Bell (Wyeth), panel members: Carol Crooks, who provided insights into the
turing Education and Training”;
David Roos (University of Coordinator for the Biotech use of microarrays in research.
“Adapting Shoestring Biotech- Education and Training Program,
Pennsyl-vania), and Sam Rhine nology for Young Children and See TEACHER-LEADER, page 7
(Indiana Genetics Center). Lakeland Community College,
2
Summer Fellows Forum, from page one.
of BioInstrumentation Meets Microtechnology
and Nanotechnology workshop; Bio-Link Consultant,
Kathie Whelchel, moderated a Faculty Internship
Opportunities panel that included Dr. Stan Hitomi of
UC Davis, Dr. Rollie Otto of Lawrence Berkeley
National Lab, Ric Matthews of MiraCosta College, Dr.
Tami Goetz of Salt Lake Community College and Jim
DeKloe of Solano Community College; South Central
Regional Director, Dr. Linnea Fletcher of Austin
Community College, facilitated the RNA workshop;
Dr. Sandy Porter of Geospiza, Inc., presented the
Structural Informatics workshop; and, Dr. Denneal
Jamison-McClung of American River College led the
Molecular Evolution workshop.
Some thirty others from CCSF and bay area industry
also attended Bio-Link’s Seventh Annual Dinner
Banquet on June 3. CCSF’s Dean of Science and
Math, Dr. Wing Tsao greeted and welcomed the
fellows and guests, followed by Mary Pat Huxley,
California Community College Biotechnology
Initiative State-wide Director. Bio-Link Director, Dr.
Elaine Johnson introduced keynote speaker, Dr.
Michael Colvin, of the University of California, Summer Fellows Forum
activities inspire and
Merced whose talk was entitled “To See the World
encourage participants
in a Grain of Sand . . .The Many Roles of Computer
for the upcoming
Modeling in Biology”.
academic year.
Plans are underway for Bio-Link’s Summer Fellows Forum
2006 which will return once again to the Clark Kerr
Campus at the University of California, Berkeley.
If you are interested in attending, look for upcoming
announcements on the Bio-Link website www.bio-link.org
or in the Spring 2006 issue of Connections.
– Lisa Huffman, National Center
NORTHEAST NORTH CENTRAL SOUTHWEST NORTHWEST
Tom Burkett Rekha Ganaganur Jim DeKloe* Caralee Cheney*
Dana Hopkins Jackie Rosales Tami Goetz Guy Hamilton
2005 SUMMER
Kristin Laird Lisa Seidman* Clarissa Hastings Kelly Hamilton
FELLOWS FORUM Lisa Rapp Robert Steele Mary Pat Huxley Berta Lloyd
REGIONAL Sonia Wallman* Kathie Whelchel Edie Leonhardt Stephanie
Charles Weitze Ying-Tsu Loh Tatem Murphy
ATTENDEES SOUTH CENTRAL
Teena Weitze Fabian Lopez
Christopher Baca
The following Regional Ric Matthews
SOUTHEAST Donald Bell
Directors* and Fellows Dave Menshew
Kelly Gridley Larry Britton
attended Bio-Link’s Seventh Lucila Molina
Toby Mapes Karen Duston
Summer Fellows Forum. Matt Pleil
Bill Woodruff* Linnea Fletcher*
Shary Rosenbaum
Laurel Young Rob Hatherill
Gina Sanzenbacher
Kathy Zarilla Sat-Kirpal Khalsa
3
REGIONAL NEWS • SOUTH CENTRAL
SUMMERTIME IN THE SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
AS YOU READ THE NEWS below present at the Biotech Institute. Skill Point
you will see that the South Training teachers to do RNA Alliance
Central Region has kept very isolation, the duo learned that conducted
busy. As Charlotte Mulvihill, there is much academic interest a two-day
Biotechnology Program in RNA labs so plans are in the training
Director at OKCCC, indicates, works for developing RNA session for
“the lazy days of summer never curriculum for workforce high school
came”. Attend-ing meetings in programs. Look for the new teachers
California to New Hampshire, educational RNA isolation at Austin
the South Central Region kept kits, and RT-PCR kits that ACC Community
busy. The Austin Community will be developing with help College.
College (ACC) Biotech from Ambion.
Program, started in June with The rest of the summer was
the national Bio-Link confer- specialization program at Texas workforce as what industry
spent on developing new State Technical College (TSTC). needs is more technicians.
ence. The program helped with
relationships and strengthening ACC will be offering these new
two workshops at ACC; one a Plans were developed for the
old ones. ACC/LBJ Science certificates fall semester 2006.
two week Math/Science first annual South Central
Academy faculty worked in the
Academy for middle school The new biotechnology sys- Regional Bio-Link meeting.
laboratory of Dr. David
kids where the biotech group tems instrumentation special- It was held in Houston, Texas
Cannatella, an evolutionary
had kids doing DNA finger- ization program at TSTC was September 9 to 11, and Bio-Rad
biologist at the University of
printing, and the second, a two- commissioned by the Texas is conducting several work-
Texas. The group learned a lot
day training session with high Workforce Commission to shops (thanks Bio-Rad!) along
about amphibians. The long-
school teachers through the determine what needs to be with the Ambion/ACC team
term plan is to involve both
Skill Point Alliance group in done in the workforce area to who are planning to show
ACC and high school biotech
Austin. Dr. Sandy Porter came promote the industry in the people how to do RT-PCR.
students in ongoing sequencing
for a Chautauqua course, state. That report besides oth- Next year the meeting is to be
and bioinformatic projects.
Evolutionary Bioinformatics ers that were generated this sponsored by Oklahoma City
and did a fantastic job! New certificates were mapped year in Texas (Biotechnology/ Community College. Hope to
Check out her new materials out with departments in elec- Life Sciences Initiative out of see some of you there!
at www.geospiza.com. The tronics and robotics at ACC and San Jacinto College), show that
ACC/Leander High School duo with the new biotechnology two year schools should plan a – Linnea Fletcher
jetted off for Philadelphia to systems instrumentation South Central Regional Director
major role in developing the
A BUSY SUMMER FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY AT OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
THE LAZY, HAZY DAYS of summer Right after the interns left Donald Bell, OCCC Project dent biotechnology laboratory
never came to the biotechnology for their research sites, we deliv- Coordinator, worked with activities. This year we expect
program this year. We contin- ered a summer science acade- teachers to integrate our the demand to be even greater.
ued our outreach workshops my for a diverse group biotechnology modules and
We were well represented
but also added new ventures. of OKC area high school juniors activities with district and state
at national biotechnology
and seniors. In one week, stu- standards, and that grid will be
Our participation in an NIH activities this summer. Donald
dents experienced posted shortly on our web site:
INBRE grant led to doubling of Bell attended the Bio-Link
a range of biotechnology www.okccc.edu/bbdiscovery.
number of community college Summer Fellows Forum,
activities, then formed teams Then, Donald Bell held a
interns for the summer. In order Charlotte Mulvihill participated
to design and execute a project one-week Biotechnology
to prepare the selected stu- in the BIO Community College
related either to bioinformatics Foundations workshop and
dents who were not from the program in Philadelphia,
or amylase or GM foods. another week of an advanced
biotechnology program, we ran and Cassandra Meek went
The week culminated with workshop. Finally, we worked
a two week Laboratory Boot to the New Hampshire
presentations and a reception a full week with eight teachers
Camp. Early feedback from Biomanufacturing workshop.
for parents and teachers. who are doing a full high
their mentors indicates that – Charlotte Mulvihill,
school biotechnology course at
these students performed as Finally, last but not least, we Biotechnology Program Director,
their school this year. Last year
well or better than junior and held four different workshops Oklahoma City Community
we delivered over 20,000 stu- College
senior undergraduate interns. for high school teachers.
4
REGIONAL NEWS • SOUTH CENTRAL
GALVESTON COLLEGE, UTMB COLLABORATE ON PROGRAM
Galveston College and the career area in both public Park, Galveston Economic Galveston College; Dr. Jim
University of Texas Medical and private industry. Both Development Partnership; Arie, UTMB Center for
Branch signed an articula- health care and the biotech- Dr. Vicki Freemen, UTMB Technology Development;
tion agreement that will nology industry face a seri- Clinical Laboratory Dr. James Salazar, Coor-
allow Galveston College ous shortage of clinical lab- Sciences; Becky Walsdorf, dinator of Biotechnology
students in the Biotech- oratory professionals. UTMB Community Out- Galveston College; Dr. Cliff
nology Program who are Pictured left to right are reach; Dr. John Stobo, Houston, UTMB Education
qualified, to receive early biotechnology partners President UTMB; Dr. Outreach; Marilyn Stadler,
acceptance into the UTMB and supporters: Christine Charles Christiansen, The Work Source; Tino
Clinical Laboratory Hopkins, GISD; Gina UTMB Allied Health; Dr. Gonzalez, Galveston
Sciences Program toward Spagnola, Galveston Gaynelle Hayes, Galveston College Regent; Marian
a bachelor’s degree. The Chamber of Commerce; College; Myrta Stager, Thomas, Galveston College
Biotechnology industry is Barbara Kelly Galveston UTMB Research Services; Foundation; and Carl Kelly
predicted to be a growing College Foundation; Lee Dr. Elva LeBlanc, President Chairman, Board of Regents
of Galveston College.
GALVESTON COLLEGE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF Christiansen, Dean of the School of Allied Program that pays for tuition and fees at
TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH (UTMB) held an Health Sciences at UTMB; Dr. Vicki Galveston College, we are delighted that
articulation signing ceremony highlighting Freeman, Chair and Professor of Clinical students can get their two-year degree at
the collaborative effort between the com- Laboratory Sciences at UTMB; Dr. James Galveston College and either transfer to a
munity college and the medical research/ Salazar, Associate Professor and four year institution or go directly into the
hospital complex addressing the workforce Coordinator of the Galveston College workforce. In either case the graduate and
needs in biotechnology. Biotechnology associate Degree Program the community end up being the winners.”
and Dr. Elva Concha LeBlanc, President of
The agreement allows qualified Galveston Other partners represented at the signing
Galveston College.
College students taking biotechnology included the Galveston Chamber of
courses to receive early acceptance into LeBlanc stated that “the ultimate goal is to Com-merce, the Galveston College
the UTMB Clinical Laboratory Sciences create a seamless transition for students Biotechnology Advisory Committee,
Program towards completion of their who start their post-secondary education at Galveston Economic Development
Bachelor’s of Science Degree at the UTMB Galveston College to continue their educa- Partnership, Galveston Independent School
School of Allied Health Sciences. Signing at tion at UTMB. Since recent high school District, University of Houston-Clear Lake
the ceremony were Dr. John Stobo, graduates who are residents of Galveston and the Galveston College Foundation
President of UTMB; Dr. Charles are eligible for the Universal Access Board of Directors.
5
REGIONAL NEWS • NORTH CENTRAL
tatives to the conference. Karen
Merrick of the Iowa Department
of Economic Development opened
BEST WISHES TO NOREEN
the conference with a presentation YOU MAY NOT HAVE MET
about the need for biotechnology NOREEN, but many of
education at the community col- you have benefited from
lege level. Dilip Dias (Iowa Valley her efforts for Bio-Link.
CC), Alan Clausen (Hawkeye CC),
For the last 10 years,
Eric Olson (IHCC) and Jane Bradley
Noreen Warren has been
(DMACC) shared information
DMACC Hosts Teacher- about their programs. Mick Lawson efficiently working behind
Leader Workshop & (IHCC) discussed how to start a the scenes to create and
biotechnology program. Kacia Cain maintain the Bio-Link
Community Biotech Clearinghouse of Curriculum and Instructional
(East High School, Des Moines) and
Conference Barbara Hetrick (University of Materials. Noreen has been the researcher, editor,
Northern Iowa) shared the articula- reviewer, organizer, and contact person for the
SPRING WAS A BUSY SEMESTER FOR tion agreements they have with Clearing-house. Noreen is retiring from Bio-Link
THE DES MOINES AREA Community DMACC. The afternoon session and is looking forward to pursuing her many inter-
College (DMACC) Biotechnology was conducted at Pioneer Hi-Bred ests outside of science. We thank Noreen for her
Program. With the help of her stu- International. Panel discussions
many contributions to Bio-Link and wish her well
dents, Jane Bradley, Program Chair, included what industry can do to
conducted a Teacher Leader in her new endeavors!
help educators and what com-
Workshop for Project SEMI on April munity colleges can do to help – Lisa Seidman, North Central Regional Director
14. Project SEMI (Science industry. The day ended with a
Education Mobile Instruction) is tour of the Pioneer Hi-Bred facility
Iowa’s newest biotechnology class- and a look at the SEMI laboratory.
room on wheels. It is a 53-foot, cus-
As part of a partnership with Dr.
NEW, INTENSIVE BIOTECH PROGRAM
tom-built semi-trailer truck that will
expand to create a lab of more Steven Howell of the Plant Sciences FOR STUDENTS WITH
Institute at Iowa State University,
than 800 square feet. A partnership
two DMACC biotechnology stu-
BACCALAUREATE DEGREES
of Iowa businesses, educational
and non-profit organizations made dents will comple their internship
this project a reality. A team of high requirements in Germany! The two THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF BIO-LINK and our
school and middle school teachers have been going to ISU once a industry partners, the Biotechnology Laboratory
have been attending workshops in week over the last year to get train- Technician Program at Madison Area Technical
preparation for teaching in the ing related to the institute’s pro- College (MATC) has received a grant from the
mobile lab. They will serve as men- teomics project. They will spend National Science Foundation to pilot a one semester
tors to a new team of teachers next eight weeks in Germany sharing intensive Biotechnology Program. This new program
year and the number of teachers what they learned with partners in will be for students who already have college degrees
trained to teach in the mobile lab the project and will then return in the biological sciences but lack practical workplace
will grow each year. The April 14 with new technology to share with skills. The new program will complement MATC’s
workshop was the first to be con- ISU. Lauren Alsager will be an existing “traditional” two-year program by offering
ducted in the SEMI laboratory using intern at the Max Plank Institut and faster-paced, more advanced instruction which we
the equipment that will be available Bobbie Eakle will be an intern at hope is better suited to the needs of the post bac-
to the teachers. DMACC is provid- the University of Hohenheim. calaureate student. The new program will provide a
ing the tractor and drivers that will DMACC provided scholarships in solid grounding in basic laboratory skills followed by
take the SEMI laboratory around the amount of $1,500 each. group and independent projects relating to biotech-
central Iowa and will provide con-
nology research, development, and production. The
The community college programs program will include a strong regulatory component
tinuing support to Project SEMI in Iowa are growing to meet the
through curriculum development
with activities such as mock audits, and will also intro-
needs of the growing biotechnolo- duce participants to the biotechnology business envi-
and technical support. gy industry in Iowa. We hope to ronment. Local employers in the Madison area have
On April 29, DMACC co-hosted continue to have more news to been enthusiastic supporters of the new program.
the first Iowa Community Col-lege report soon! If any Bio-Link colleagues would like more information
Biotechnology Conference with – Jane Bradley, Group Leader, Division about this intensive program, or would like to send
Indian Hills Community College of Math, Science and Engineering, potential students please contact us – we appreciate
(IHCC) and the Iowa Biotechnology and Chair, Biotechnology Program, your input, e-mail to lseidman@matcmadison.edu or
Association. Nine of the 15 Iowa Des Moines Area Community jmowery@matcmadison.edu.
College
community colleges sent represen- – Lisa Seidman and Jeanette Mowery,
North Central Regional Center
6
TEACHER LEADER, from page 2 BABEC Summer Intern complexity. While linked to the
understanding of external and
The afternoon ended with the Shines at a Unique internal mechanisms that affect
bioethics panel “Where Other
Student Summer plant responses and plant
May Fear to Go,Teaching about
Stem Cells” moderated by Art Research Symposium genomics, project specifics were
Caplan, bio-ethicist from the diverse. They included the char-
ON AUGUST 8TH, 2005, high acterization of proteins from
University of Pennsylvania with school and community college
panel members K. John pests and pathogens; elucidation
students shared their summer of gene expression profiles in
McLaughlin, Assistant Professor, research projects at the first
Department of Animal Biology, response to chemical and physi-
Student Summer Research cal variables; detection by PCR
University of Pennsylvania, Symposium, a joint collaboration
Debra Aronson, Director of of GMO markers in food prod-
between the Center for Plant ucts; and the exploration of
Bioethics, Biotech-nology Genomics Training and
Industry Organization, Lola genetic diversities using
Education (Potato Genome bioinformatics tools. Ankita Samant
Szobota, District Science Project, University of California
Supervisor, Northern Valley Berkeley) and the Partnership for Nine high school and commun- high school and college interns
Regional High School Dist., and Plant Genomics Education, ity college students summarized to share their experiences with
Stephen W. Webster, President, University of California Davis. their hard work with posters and each other in a beautiful setting.”
CEO, Director, Neuronyx. Later, Hosted by the University of power point presentations. Two
teachers viewed rare collections
Last, but not least, the mentors
California Berkeley at the aston- Oakland students from Oasis and researchers from the above
at the Chemical Heritage Found- ishingly beautiful Botanical High School and MetWest High
ation then socialized around a
institutions should be commend-
Gardens, the student symposium School showcased their work on ed for fostering research and sci-
chocolate fountain of delights was funded by grants from the the Potato Genome Project at
and double helix pretzels.
entific learning among these up
National Science Foundation to UC Berkeley. Two seniors from and coming young scientists.
On Saturday, teachers partici- the two Plant Genomic groups. Davis High School, working at Mentoring students to do lab-
pated in Shoestring Biotechno- UC Davis, presented their
The Bay Area Biotechnology based research can be a very
logy hands-on sessions linked to research on characterizing viral
Education Consortium (BABEC) time consuming experience –
education and skills standards proteins and mapping polymor-
was invited to showcase the yet, a refreshing one. For stu-
and teaching strategies. Linnea phisms in Arabidopsis using
Fletcher and Marjorie Palmer of research performed by its sum- dents, a summer internship is
microarrays. Two students the most powerful introduction
Bio-Link led sessions on RNAi mer intern. Hence, Ms. Ankita from American River College,
and Bioinformatics followed by Samant had a rare and exciting to the power of innovation
Sacramento, presented their that flourishes at the lab bench
a panel on Drug Development opportunity to contribute to this work on fungal sequencing and
moderated by John Hall, VP, outstanding student Symposium. and the dedication needed to
the physical effects of chemicals unravel a mystery of nature.
Business Development, Life- Ankita, a Milpitas High School on specific plants. Ankita, repre-
Sensors, Inc., with panelists sophomore, worked to refine the – Pat Seawell, BABEC President
senting BABEC, showcased her
Mark McKinlay, Chief Scientific lab protocols for the plant genet-
Officer, Gentara Corporation, recent findings on a GMO PCR
ically modified organism (GMO) lab unit under development for “ It was very interesting to see
Khurshid Iqbal, Sr., VP, Global PCR curriculum being developed
Drug Delivery, West Pharmaceu- high schools. Two students from the complex and intriguing
by BABEC. Under the guidance Gavilan College, Gilroy, present- experiments presented by the
tical Services, Anne Moschella,
of her mentor, Ms. Shalini Prasad ed their work done at UC Davis
Director, Marketing and Com- summer interns. I was deeply
(Education Outreach Coordina- on programmed cell death and
munications, Lonza Custom impressed by the high caliber
tor for BABEC), Ankita spent the use of markers as a selection
Manufacturing USA, and Marc of the experiments and of the
Ebtinger, Senior Scientist, Tech
most of her summer isolating mechanism for breeding disease interns themselves.” – Milind
Service, Eli Lilly. DNA and optimizing the PCR resistant genes.
lab for the detection of GM con- Samant (Ankita’s Father)
Teachers, members of the All were very impressed with the “ It was a great opportunity for
stituents in food products. Based
Institute’s Minority and Indigen- caliber of research and under-
in the training department of parents to see and learn about
ous Fellows and sanofiaventis standing these students exhibit-
Applied Biosystems (Foster City, the work performed by the sum-
International Biotech Challenge,
CA), she also got a sense of the ed with their hard work. The mer interns.” – Bella Samant
and industry members attend-
inner workings of a global forum provided these researchers (Ankita’s Mother)
ed a reception and dinner host-
biotech company and its array a valuable experience in sharing
ed by the Institute. Guest “ As a high school student, I felt
speaker Howard Smith provid- of instrumentation and kits. Like and presenting research work
that the Student Summer
ed insight into his program to fellow symposium participants, in front of peers, mentors and
family. Students were encour- Research Symposium was a
address disparity in health care. Ankita completed a six-week
aged to discuss each other’s great opportunity. It provided
Guests included actors Richard internship on a research project
of interest to the student and the research and learn about new me insight on the types of exper-
Roundtree and Janet Hubert.
On Sunday, Roche funded industry/university mentor. ideas and innovative techniques iments that were performed by
the ethics session led by Lola that can be used to analyze or college level students. It also
Szobota and Jeanne Chowning Surrounded by the exotic solve problems. As Ankita’s gave me a chance to share and
with a wet lab component in plants that comprise the UCBG, mom, Bella Samant proudly present my hard work to my par-
development by the Institute. the diverse group of student observed, “The Symposium is ents, mentor and others truly
– Kathy Frame, Director
presenters and their presenta- truly unique because it allowed interested.” – Ankita Samant
of Educational Programs, tions mirrored the outside floral
Biotechnology Institute
7
NATIONAL CENTER
Dr. Elaine Johnson, Director • Dr. Barton Gledhill, Deputy Director
City College of San Francisco
1855 Folsom Street, Suite 643 • San Francisco, CA 94103 • 415-487-2470 • ejohnson@biolink.ucsf.edu
REGIONAL CENTERS
NORTHEAST REGION SOUTHEAST REGION
Dr. Sonia Wallman Bill Woodruff
New Hampshire Community Technical College Alamance Community College
320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801 P.O. Box 8000, Graham, NC 27253
603-559-1581 • swallman@nhctc.edu 336-506-4224 • woodruff@alamance.cc.nc.us
NORTH CENTRAL REGION SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Dr. Joy McMillan • Dr. Lisa Seidman Dr. Linnea Fletcher
Madison Area Technical College
Austin Community College
3550 Anderson Street, Madison, WI 53704
3401 Webberville Road • Austin, TX 78702
608-246-6204 • jmcmillan@matcmadison.edu
512-223-5912 • linneaf@austincc.edu
lseidman@matcmadison.edu
NORTHWEST REGION SOUTHWEST REGION
Dr. Caralee Cheney Jim DeKloe
Shoreline Community College Solano Community College
16101 Greenwood Avenue N., Shoreline, WA 98133 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, CA 94534
206-546-4543 • ccheney@shoreline.edu 707-864-7000 x351 • james.dekloe@solano.edu
Bio-Link is committed to program
NSF AWARD # DUE-0402139 improvement, instructor enhancement, communication,
AND # DUE-0118933 program assistance, and supporting school-to-career
This project was supported in part by activities in the biotechnology area.
the National Science Foundation. Opinions
expressed are those of the authors and not
necessarily those of the foundation.
For more information on . . .
• Calendar of Events
• Curriculum Clearinghouse
• Internships
• Jobs
• Online Courses
• Virtual Laboratory
BIO-LINK CONNECTION is the official newsletter of Bio-Link, • Web Links, and more . . .
the Advanced Technological Education Center for Biotech-
nology, and is produced and published by the National
Center Staff. Please submit questions, comments or articles go to
by e-mail (as attachments) to Lisa Huffman, Editor, at
lhuffman@biolink.ucsf.edu at the National Center. www.bio-link.org
Printed on Recycled paper