Institute focuses on science education



    SAN DIEGO, July 30 /EMWNews/ -- The BIOCOM Institute, a charitable

organization focused on advancing science literacy, has secured non-profit

status and funding for its mission to serve as a bridge between learning

institutions and life science companies.



    Funded with two initial $30,000 grants from the Pfizer Foundation and

the San Diego Foundation, the institute is a 501 (c) (3) arm of BIOCOM, the

association for the Southern California life science community, that will

raise awareness and provide training for career opportunities in the

biotech and medical device community for students, scientists, career

counselors and teachers.



    "The BIOCOM Institute concentrates on introducing one of our greatest

resources, our children, to their potential for careers in the biotech and

medical device community," said Tina Nova Bennett, Ph.D. Genoptix's

president and CEO and chairwoman of the BIOCOM Institute board. "The BIOCOM

Institute will foster the next generation of life science leaders that may

potentially save lives through scientific discovery."



    BIOCOM is committed to developing a life science workforce that can

fuel innovation, drive regional economic prosperity and build understanding

of the life science community.



    "The BIOCOM Institute builds on our science education foundation and

creates pioneering opportunities for students, teachers, and scientists to

work together to improve the state of science education," said Kristie

Grover, the BIOCOM Institute's director. "Through programs that encourage

science literacy and interaction with the biotech and medical device

community, the BIOCOM Institute will open our student's eyes to the world

of science and improve the understanding of our industry's impact on

humanity."



    These programs include:



    -- The Biotechnology Space Research Alliance, a partnership with NASA

to encourage use of the National Laboratory on the International Space

Station for breakthrough biotechnology discoveries and educational

experiences.



    -- Career Counselor Outreach, which teaches high school, college and

career counselors about the broad scientific and non-scientific occupations

that are available throughout the life science industry.



    -- The Life Science Immersion Program, which provides scientists with

the business acumen to successfully transition into industry.



    -- The Life Sciences Summer Institute, which exposes teachers and

students to the life science industry through training camps and

internships; this program was developed by the San Diego Workforce

Partnership and BIOCOM.



    -- The Science Education Speakers Bureau, which matches industry

professionals with K-12 guest speaking and teaching opportunities.



    Funding for the BIOCOM Institute from the Pfizer Foundation and the San

Diego Foundation will go to support the Science Education Speakers Bureau

Project.



    The BIOCOM Institute will be pursuing other grant opportunities as a

self-sufficient science education arm of BIOCOM and has 501 (c) (3)

non-profit status for tax-exempt donations. For more information on the

BIOCOM Institute or how you can support and participate in its community

efforts, please call Kristie Grover at 858-455-0300 x107.

    About the BIOCOM Institute



    Through support of K-12 scientific education and the continuous

promotion of Southern California's world-class colleges and universities,

the BIOCOM Institute will encourage systemic change for broader science

education through collaboration and outreach. The mission of the BIOCOM

Institute is to offer and implement education programs that increase

science literacy. For more information on the BIOCOM Institute, please

visit the organization's Web site at http://www.biocomworkforce.org.



    About BIOCOM



    BIOCOM is the largest regional life science association in the world,

representing more than 570 member companies in Southern California. The

association focuses on initiatives that position the region's life science

industry competitively on the world stage, and on the development and

delivery of innovative products that improve health and quality of life.

This includes initiatives in capital formation, public policy, workforce

development, and member services. For more information on BIOCOM or the

Southern California biotechnology and medical device community, please

visit the organization's Web site at http://www.biocom.org or call (858)

455-0300.