4th Biotechnology Symposium May 11th 2016
Wednesday May 11th the biotechnology students at Bertie Early College High School (BECHS) presented posters on their work of the past year. These 10 students (pictured here on the left) and their classmates are part of the founding members of Falcon Biomanufacturing. A small biotech start-up at BECHS working towards making recombinant proteins to be used in agricultural research at NC State and beyond.
This year's students focused on establishing the core standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the most essential methods involved in protein production. These SOPs will help ensure Falcon Biomanufacturing will be able to consistently produce high quality products.
This year's Biotechnology Symposium was well attended. In addition to teachers, staff, and students from BECHS; students presented their work to students and scientists from NC State University, members of the biotechnology industry, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, Congressman Butterfield's Office, the Bertie County School Board, and students from Aulander STEM Elementary School.
The BECHS biotechnology students did an excellent job presenting their work, representing their school and their company. Following their presentations, the students enjoyed lunch with their guests and a discussion about STEM careers led by Dr. Louie Tupas, Deputy Director for Bioenergy, Climate and Environment, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and Dr. Jermelina Tupas, Deputy Division Director Human Resource Development (HRD), Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR), National Science Foundation. In addition to their comments the students also got words of encouragement and advice from Reginald Speight, District Director for the office of Representative G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Mark A. Phillips, Vice President, Statewide Operations Executive Director, Eastern Region, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and Dr. Dale Karlson, Discovery Screening Technology Lead, Monsanto Co.
To all those who attended, assisted, and/or participated in the 4th BECHS Biotechnology Symposium, your involvement helped make this event a great success. We look forward to seeing you all next year.
