GEORGIA BIOED

Strengthening Georgia's Bioscience Workforce Pipeline

The Georgia BioEd Institute is a division of Georgia Bio, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the state’s life science industry. The Institute’s mission is to strengthen Georgia’s life sciences workforce pipeline through classroom-to-career initiatives that align with industry needs. We are building the capacity of Georgia classrooms to support the future life science workforce with teacher professional development in biotechnology, an equipment depot, a visiting scientist program, and the BioGENEius award for student biotechnology projects. The Institute provides training for current workforce needs (e.g., biotech courses for nonscientists and executive leadership training for future managers), and supports networking and mentoring for early career professionals through the Emerging Leaders Network.

Ellen Katzowitz

Retired biotechnology teacher and 2013 Biotechnology Teacher of the Year

Georgia Bio has been instrumental in my success as an instructor in teaching biotechnology. When Biotechnology was introduced into the GA Board of Education Curriculum, South Cobb High School was the pilot school for the county. Not only did Georgia Bio guide and advise me, but I also knew if I had a problem, it could be easily solved with the personnel in the organization. This along with the Visiting Scientist program and making classes available to instructors was crucial in achieving a successful program in the state of Georgia.

Strategic Priorities

build the capacity of K-12 schools to generate Georgia’s future life science workforce

strengthen our current workforce through professional development and career services

create an interconnected community of students, educators, researchers and professionals in Georgia

History

Georgia Bio initiated an education and workforce development program in 2007 through a partnership with the DeKalb County School System and the Biotechnology Institute to improve student achievement in science. In partnership with state agencies, universities, technical colleges and industry, a regionally-focused life science initiative called the “Innovation Crescent” was funded by $1.3 million in Work Ready grants from the Georgia Office of Workforce Development to the Atlanta Regional Commission and a $2 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to a consortium of technical colleges. This grant enabled the implementation of biotechnology high school classes for science credit (Introduction to Biotechnology & Applications of Biotechnology), technical college improvement of their biotechnology programs (via updated laboratories and outreach to high school biotechnology programs), and subsidized industry training.

The GaBioEd Institute continues its commitment to creating a life sciences workforce that can fuel innovation through dynamic biotechnology education and workforce development focused on talent retention and recruitment. Learn More About the Bioscience Pipeline Here.

Donors

Board of Advisors

The Georgia BioEd Institute Board of Advisors is a group of engaged volunteers who support and guide the Institute in fulfilling its mission. The Advisors report back to the larger Georgia Bio Board of Directors on the Institute’s progress and accomplishments.

Rebecca Burns, UCB – 2021-2022 Chair

Gabe Khouli, Takeda – 2021-2022 Vice Chair

Phil Gibson, QuickStart – Immediate Past Chair

Aimee Ahmed, Morehouse School of Medicine

Barry Bates, Atlanta Technical College

Henry Charlot, Atlanta Regional Commission

Chuck Fogelgren, Quest Diagnostics - Med Fusion, LLC

Lisa Olens, Georgia Power

Cynthia Sundell, Georgia Institute of Technology

Stefanie Torres, VWR, a part of Avantor