Winners to Compete Against Top Students Across US and Canada
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – April 15, 2015 – The BayBio Institute today named Vaishnavi Shrivastava of Mission San Jose High School, and Ayan Bandyopadhyay of Bellarmine College Preparatory, as the first and second-place winners of the 2015 Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge, the premier competition for high school students recognizing outstanding research in biotechnology. As the Bay Area BioGENEiuses, Vaishnavi and Ayan will gain insider access to the biotechnology industry by attending the 2015 BIO International Convention in Philadelphia, the industry’s top trade conference, where leading companies, scientists and innovators will offer them valuable advice and first-hand experience on the limitless possibilities within one of the world’s most innovative industries.
Maya Varma of Presentation High School, also took home third-place honors in the Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge. Anand Chukka, Pravin Ravishanker, and Swetha Revanur of Lynbrook High School, Bellarmine College Preparatory, and Evergreen Valley High School, respectively, received Honorable Mentions.
The Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge includes:
• Project presentation to a panel of bio industry professionals
• Awards ceremony with cash awards:
o First place: $2,000
o Second place $1,000
o Third place $500
Vaishnavi and Ayan will receive an all-expenses paid trip to compete against other regional winners in Philadelphia, PA at the US National and, if successful, the International BioGENEius Challenges held at the Biotechnology Industry Organization International Convention on June 12-16, 2015. The first place winner in the International competition will receive a $7,500 cash prize, along with unparalleled access to leading companies, scientists and innovators in biotechnology.
“The BioGENEius Challenge is our opportunity to showcase the extraordinary talent of our region’s most promising high school science students and to expose students to leading Bay Area life science professionals,” said Lori Lindburg, executive director of the BayBio Institute. “This June, BayBio will be cheering on Vaishnavi and Ayan at the 2015 BIO International Convention as we already know that their current and future research has an opportunity to make a noteworthy contribution to the world.”
“Amgen is pleased to recognize some of the Bay Area’s best and brightest high school science students who’ve demonstrated great promise in their understanding and application of scientific knowledge,” said Aarif Khakoo, executive director research and site head, Amgen South San Francisco. “We’re proud to partner with the BayBio Institute to underwrite this important event, which helps inspire students to . od ents neration of Bay Area l sciences scientific knowledge. cultivate scientific interests and pursue a career in the life sciences.”
Through their generous sponsorship of this year’s Challenge, leading biopharmaceutical company Amgen is taking an active role in shaping the future of the biotechnology industry. The Challenge was held at the Gladstone Institutes in Mission Bay, San Francisco on April 14, 2015.
View photo of winners and honorable mentions.
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Follow the National and International BioGENEius Challenges: Throughout the challenge, @BiotechInstitut will be tweeting interviews, photos, and engaging with the biotechnology community by using the hashtag #BioGENEius.
About the BayBio Institute
BayBio Institute (BBI) supports the foundations of life sciences innovation that have made Northern California the most prominent industry cluster in the world. Its mission is to maintain Northern California’s leadership in life sciences innovation through entrepreneurial support, science education and career development. BBI is an affiliate of BayBio, which brings together the collective strength and experience of the world’s most innovative and productive life sciences cluster, helping companies grow, connect and advocate to solve some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. Visit the BayBio Institute at www.baybioinstitute.org.
About the Biotechnology Institute
The Biotechnology Institute is 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.
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