Palm Beach State College, a leading provider of biotechnology workforce education, will showcase its programs and host Florida biotech industry leaders during a weeklong celebration Feb. 17-21.
Students gain hands-on experience in Palm Beach State’s industry-current biotechnology lab.
Biotech Awareness Week is for anyone interested in the life sciences. Students and those seeking biotech employment are especially encouraged to participate and bring their resumes and business cards. All events are free and take place at the BioScience Technology Complex (SC) on the Palm Beach Gardens campus, 3160 PGA Boulevard. Highlights include:
Monday, 2/17 – Friday, 2/21, daily 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Room SC127 Art of Science Exhibit: What happens when Palm Beach State art students are asked to explore the beauty of science? View interpretations of DNA and genetics, living cells and scientific tools through various art forms, including painting, photography, digital art and ceramics.
Monday, 2/17, 6 – 7 p.m., Room SC214 Open House & Lab Tour: Explore PBSC’s award-winning Biotechnology programs. Meet the program director and learn about academic requirements, faculty, careers and internships. Tour the College’s biotech lab where students gain valuable experience using instrumentation found in the workplace.
Thursday, 2/20, 6 – 9 p.m., Room SC127 Life Science Career Panel & Networking Event: This event brings together industry and research insiders with K-12 and postsecondary educators in an informative evening focused on life science activities and education in Palm Beach County. This event will be an opportunity for scientists, business people, entrepreneurs, students and the community to share and learn what’s going on in biotech here and how to break in. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by calling 561-207-5055. Panelists include:
Dr. Rina Dukor, president & CEO, BioTools (Moderator)
Dr. Ana Fiallos, Max Planck Outreach
Shawn Rowan, vice president, Business Retention & Expansion, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
Dr. Louis Scampavia, co-director, High Throughput Screening at Scripps Florida
Wendy Spielman King, K-12 Science & Social Studies manager, School District of Palm Beach County
Pamela Stewart, president & CEO, Paragon Foundation
Dr. Claudia Zylberberg, CEO, Akron Biotech
Megan Swift’s interpretation of the “Art of Science” is one of the many works by PBSC students being exhibited during Biotech Awareness Week.
“The Career Panel and Networking Event will be an opportunity for different stakeholders to talk to each other,” says Dr. Becky Mercer, PBSC’s Biotechnology Programs director. “People will learn what’s new in STEM, what’s happening in the region, and from the colleges and universities, what kind of workforce is being produced. For Palm Beach State, the week will give us the chance to highlight our students and communicate the value of the education that they’re getting here and where are they going when they’re done.”