The biotechnology industry emerged in the 1970s, based largely on a new recombinant DNA technique whose details were published in 1973 by Stanley Cohen of Stanford University and Herbert Boyer of the University of California, San Francisco. Recombinant DNA is a method of making proteins such as human insulin and other therapies in cultured cells under controlled manufacturing conditions. Boyer went on to co-found Genentech, which today is biotechnology's largest company by market capitalization.
2012 BioGENEius Volunteer Options
Overview
The BioGENEius Challenge program is managed by The Biotechnology Institute, the independent, national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating teachers and students about the promise, achievements and challenges of biotechnology. High school students who have been recognized at the National level in the U.S., Canada and regionally in Western Australia for their research in biotechnology will compete in Boston, Massachusetts, in conjunction with the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Convention for cash prizes totaling $21,000. There are several volunteer opportunities available for the BioGENEius program. If you are interested in volunteering for the BioGENEius program please review the opportunities listed below.
At-Large BioGENEius Judge
- Judges are needed from April 23 – May 7, 2012. This is a virtual competition, therefore no travel is needed.
- A total of 20-30 judges from the academic, government, industry, business, and education communities are needed
- Anticipate that it will take about 15-20 minutes to review each application and there is no other obligation beyond reviewing and scoring projects. You will receive a PDF document which will include copies of several applications, which we would like you to evaluate and score.
U.S. National BioGENEius Judge
- Judges are needed on Sunday, June 17, 2012 from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
- A total of 14 judges from the outstanding educators, scientists, industry, business, and community leaders as well as advocates for science education are needed
- The requirement of the judges is to be present at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts for judging. Also, Judges who have mentored, assisted, facilitated, or previously judged a current student finalist project will be considered ineligible to become a U.S. National or International BioGENEius Challenge judge. Anticipate that it will take about 15-20 minutes to review each project.
International BioGENEius Judge
- Judges are needed on Monday, June 18, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
- A total of 10 judges from the outstanding educators, scientists, industry, business, and community leaders as well as advocates for science education are needed
- The requirement of the judges is to be present at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts for judging. Also, Judges who have mentored, assisted, facilitated, or previously judged a current student finalist project will be considered ineligible to become a U.S. National or International BioGENEius Challenge judge. Anticipate that it will take about 15-20 minutes to review each project.
If you would like to volunteer for any of the listed opportunities please email biogeneius@biotechinstitute.org or contact Bianca Blanks at bblanks@biotechinstitute.org.
