First Biotechnology Day Deemed a Success
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Photo by Chuck Lawrence
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Dr. Richard Snyder describes aseptic techniques as volunteers demonstrate in CERHB's cleanroom simulator.
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Area high school students explored future careers in biotechnology at the first-ever Biotechnology Day, held April 14, 2005, at the Progress Corporate Park just south of the City of Alachua. In partnership with Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) and the Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator (BDI), UF's Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology (CERHB) and Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (CPET) hosted the event. The Suwannee River Area Health Education Center provided funding for student transportation and assisted with logistics. Also contributing to the success of the day were demonstration volunteers from UF's Powell Gene Therapy Center and the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology.
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Photo by Chuck Lawrence
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Kim Van Vliet, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, instructs students as they try their hand at pipetting samples at the Protein Detection and Analysis station.
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This outreach effort was designed to encourage students to consider careers in the biotechnology industry, to recruit students into SFCC's two-year biotechnology program, and to introduce the myriad career options attainable through UF's biotechnology-related undergraduate and graduate programs. About 130 students from Gainesville, Eastside, and Santa Fe High Schools toured the BDI and spoke with biotechnology professionals about their careers. Next, students moved to the CERHB Research and Education Center for interactive demonstrations by CERHB and CPET staff. These demonstrations consisted of analytical and manufacturing techniques used in the biotechnology industry, including working with protein, DNA, cell culture, and in a cleanroom environment.
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Photo by Chuck Lawrence
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Julie Bokor of CPET explains the process of DNA Gel Electrophoresis to an interested student.
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U.S. Department of Labor statistics predict that the biotechnology industry will employ 814,900 individuals in the U.S. by 2007, states Dr. Richard Snyder, CERHB Director. In North Central Florida, the biotechnology sector has enormous potential for economic development, and can provide career opportunities for many sectors of the workforce, from technical positions requiring a high school diploma to scientific or medical careers requiring a Ph.D. or M.D. In addition to science and medicine, biotechnology presents career opportunities in entrepreneurship, sales, law, agriculture, communications, architecture, engineering, and a host of other areas that are integral to the growth and prosperity of this vital industry.
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Photo by Chuck Lawrence
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Students examine cells expressing green fluorescent protein at the Tissue Culture station.
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One of the reasons that a biotechnology career should be attractive to graduates just entering the workforce, says Dr. Snyder, is that it provides abundant opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
"You can come in as a technician making $30,000, and as your level of expertise and specialization increases, you can move up fairly quickly to positions of greater responsibility and higher pay. If we're going to support this industry locally, we need to recruit and train this specialized workforce," Dr. Snyder said.
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Photo by Chuck Lawrence
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Patti Breedlove, manager of the Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator, talks to students about careers in the biotechnology industry.
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For many local students, Biotechnology Day may be a first step toward a promising career and a valued contribution to North Central Florida's burgeoning biotechnology sector. Those involved in planning and carrying out the first Biotechnology Day look forward to making this an annual event.
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