Elite High School Scientists Headed To BIO2018 to Face Off in the BioGENEius Challenge

The BioGENEius Challenge is the premier competition for high school students from across the globe that recognizes outstanding research and innovation in biotechnology. This year, finalists come from across the U.S., Canada and Germany, having won State or Regional science competitions or through the Institute’s at-large national competition to vie for recognition in any of three Global Challenge categories: Healthcare, Sustainability (AgBIo) and Industrial/Environmental Biotechnology.

Johnson & Johnson Innovation is the signature sponsor of the BioGENEius Program and the Global Healthcare Challenge as part of its longstanding mission to support STEM education.

“The high school students competing in the BioGENEius Challenge are among the world’s elite young thinkers. Their research projects represent some of the freshest thinking about how to use biotechnology to solve the world’s most challenging problems,” said Seema Kumar, VP Innovation, Global Health and Policy Communications at Johnson & Johnson. “We are proud to sponsor a program that helps these students achieve – and surpass -- their goals, and we are especially pleased to be the exclusive sponsor of the BioGENEius Global Healthcare Award. These students are the future of applied scientific innovation that brings more years of life and quality of life to people around the world.”

On June 4th, the elite high school finalists will participate in the final round of judging for the International BioGENEius Challenge. During the competition, students will present their highly advanced research projects that address a variety of real world challenges. Many BioGENEius finalists go on to distinguishing academic and industry careers to realize their innovative capabilities.

This year’s BioGENEius finalists include:

• Tobias Stadelmann, Marta-Schanzenbach-Gymnasium Gengenbach, Gengenbach, Germany
• Shloka Janapaty, Presentation High School, San Jose, CA
• Maggie Chen, Canyon Crest Academy, San Diego, CA
• Isani Singh, Cherry Creek High School, Greenwood Village, CO
• Preeti Krishnamani, Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE
• Suraj Modi, Mountain View High School, Lawrenceville, GA
• Haley Martens, Oak Park and River Forest High School, Oak Park, IL
• Mason Burlage, Beckman Catholic High School, Dyersville, IA
• Luann Jung, Manhattan High School, Manhattan, KS
• Katy Wnuk-Fink, Reservoir High School, Fulton, MD
• Sumani Nunna, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Durham, NC
• Claire Tse, Methacton High School, Eagleville, PA
• Sajeev Kohli, Sir John A Macdonald Secondary School, Waterloo, ON, Canada
• Marissa Sumathipala, Broad Run High School, Ashburn, VA
• Sriharshita Musunuri, Henry M. Jackson High School, Mill Creek, WA

“The extraordinary research we see during the BioGENEius Challenge underscores the importance of investing and encouraging our younger generations to pursue their ideas.” said Dr. Lawrence Mahan, President of the Biotechnology Institute. “By focusing on and encouraging the breadth of promising applications of biotechnology, we will ensure the continued growth of STEM education and career development opportunities in both academia and industry these young innovators.”

The winners of the International BioGENEius Challenge will be announced during the Tuesday Keynote Address at the 2018 BIO International Convention. Each winner will receive a $7,500 cash prize.

The BioGENEius Challenge is organized by the Biotechnology Institute, a U.S. based organization dedicated to biotechnology education. Generous supporting sponsors include Johnson & Johnson Innovation and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

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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