Biotechnology Institute News room

Nebraska Teacher Wins Top Honor for Excellence in Biotechnology Education

   

BOSTON, MA (May 6, 2007)–The Biotechnology Institute today announced LeeAnn Vaughan, a teacher at Omaha North High School in Omaha, Nebraska, as the recipient of the Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award, the nation’s top award for biotechnology education. The award, sponsored by Genzyme Corporation and Invitrogen Corporation, was presented at the Biotechnology Institute’s Annual Conference on Biotechnology Education in Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday, May 5. The education conference annually precedes the BIO International Convention.

Established by the Biotechnology Institute, the national biotechnology education organization, the award recognizes premier high school level educators who provide an array of expertise to help improve the teaching and learning of biotechnology in their classrooms.

“LeeAnn represents the best of the teachers we work with every day,” says Paul A. Hanle, president of the Biotechnology Institute. “These dynamic teachers are sharing their passion about science and biotechnology and energizing the next generation of biotechnology innovators.”

Michael Wyzga, executive vice president, finance, and chief financial officer, Genzyme, and Peter Leddy, senior vice president, human resources, Invitrogen, presented the award.

“It is inspiring to see these educators in action--their passion for teaching biotechnology resonates with Genzyme’s values,” said Wyzga. “Our sponsorship of this award simply represents our respect for their profession, and our commitment to invest in a well-informed and educated public. We are very proud of what these remarkable educators continue to accomplish.”

“We believe all of the teachers nominated for the Biotech Educator Award are creative leaders in the fields of education and biotechnology,” said Leddy. “These educators demonstrate an impressive ability and passion to motivate students.  Invitrogen is committed to supporting them through partnerships with the Biotechnology Institute and other organizations dedicated to educating life scientists of the future.”

Ten finalists were identified from a nationwide applicant pool from among more than one thousand educators in the Biotechnology Institute’s National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program. Vaughan, who received an award of $10,000, was chosen by a panel of judges for her proven leadership and excellence as an educator, her commitment to furthering the teaching of biotechnology by outreach to other educators, and the development of innovative ways to teach biotechnology.

Also honored was the second place winner, John Sharkey of Parma High School in Parma, Idaho, who received $5,000. The third-place winner, Kristina Doss of Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, received $2,500.

The other finalists were:
· Joan Abrams, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Cambridge, Massachusetts
· Peggy Deichstetter, St. Edward High School, Elgin, Illinois
· Mary Jane Kurtz, Minuteman Regional High School, Lexington, Massachusetts
· Peter Kritsch, Oregon High School, Oregon, Wisconsin
· Kimberly Lewis, Wellston High School, Wellston, Ohio
· Carolyn Slygh, Seminole Ridge High School, Loxahatchee, Florida
· and John Taylor-Lehman, Tri-Valley High School, Dresden, Ohio

The Biotechnology Institute’s National Biotechnology Teacher–Leader Program is building a network of thousands of teachers committed to teaching biotechnology to students and serving as a resource for other teachers. Through professional development programs and resources, the Teacher-Leader Program provides educators with the skills and strategies to introduce biotechnology to their students and assist their peers to do the same.

About the Biotechnology Institute
The Biotechnology Institute is as an independent, national nonprofit organization dedicated to education about the present and future impact of biotechnology. Its mission is to engage, excite and educate the public, particularly students and teachers, about biotechnology and its immense potential for solving human health, food and environmental problems. For more information, visit www.biotechinstitute.org.

# # #


Jeff Ghannam
Communications Director
703-248-8681
jghannam@biotechinstitute.org