The month of May included a completion (not an ending!) and a new start in the BioBuilder world. Check out these stories!
High School Apprentices Conquer their Challenge
Earlier this spring, 74 students applied to be part of this year’s HSAC. Forty-four of those applicants have been working on their biotech projects since then at two locations:
- The Learning Lab @Ginkgo in Boston, MA
- The Sciences Center at Clark University in Worcester, MA
You may remember that the HSAC is designed to be a pre-professional training opportunity for high school students interested in STEM. During the eight-week program the students build technical knowledge, gain lab technique skills, learn research-based thinking, and develop professional skills that help prepare them for post-secondary education and careers in STEM. The students meet online on Thursdays to learn, do research, and interact with biotech professionals. On Saturdays, the students meet in the lab for hands-on biotech work.
We are pleased to announce that this month 38 Apprentices completed the program and celebrated reaching that milestone! Oh, and they each received a $500 stipend for completing the HSAC – we can’t forget that!
Check out some of the proud graduates in the HSAC sizzle reel and HSAC in action below!
In case you think that was the end of the students’ adventures, think again! After completing the program, students had the opportunity to test for microcredentials through the Bioscience Core Skills Institute (BCSI). All 38 students made the decision to test for microcredentials in one or more of the following:
- Small Volume Metrology
- Aseptic Technique
- Safety: Hazard Assessment
- Documentation and SOP
- Numeracy
The results were just tabulated and a whopping 95% of the students passed one or more tests and received those microcredentials! From a broader perspective, 63% passed three or more tests – wonderful! We are so proud of these bright, inspiring young scientists!
Later, the HSAC grads were asked to share about their experience with the program. Here are a couple of their responses:
I feel like I’m coming out of this program with an abundance of new knowledge, along with a mindset that encourages me to try new things more frequently. The instructors were very patient, and I’m glad I came across this opportunity when I did.”
Josie S.
My favorite part was the [BioBuilder] community and being able to evolve my lab skills. I enjoyed doing Gel Electrophoresis and then being able to see those results. I also enjoyed utilizing the culture and having the opportunity to use cultures that I grew to do various other processes. It was also cool to see the cultures growing. I really enjoyed the program overall and being able to learn pipetting and culturing.”
Karolynne C.
BioBuilder extends a big THANK YOU to all of the people and organizations that helped make this year’s program a tremendous success! It’s an amazing and impactful program in so many ways – nurturing the professional scientists of tomorrow!
The New Learning Lab @Allston is Off and Running!
This month BioBuilder’s new Learning Lab @Allston hosted its first teacher training workshop! If you remember, this marvelous new lab is located in the new Allston LabWorks building at 250 Western Avenue in Allston, MA.
Three of BioBuilder’s most experienced instructors video taped content so more teachers can “learned by doing,” just as our high school students do! The teachers conducted the lab along with a group of students to learn the “ins and outs” of the procedure and, most importantly, how they can best help their students conduct the lab and learn the bioscience behind it.
But that’s not all the news from the Learning Lab @Allston!
In May, BioBuilder also received the first U.S. installation of the Daisy Petal™ bioreactor from Sunflower Therapeutics. Having an industry-grade bioreactor will enhance the experience of BioBuilder students to new levels!
Sunflower’s Founder and CEO, Dr. Kerry R. Love, clearly describes the valuable synergy between their technology and BioBuilder education: “Sunflower is committed to supporting educational initiatives to grow the next generation of workers in our sector, and there is no better place than Boston’s vibrant biotech ecosystem to launch this effort.”
BioBuilder’s purchase of the Daisy Petal was made possible through a grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and other donors. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a reality for our students and future scientists!
The students we train and inspire are thriving and we could not do it without everyone’s talent, time, and support. Thank you for helping us make the world a better place by teaching life science to more and more young people.
Meet the Newest BioBuilders!
BioBuilder is thrilled to welcome three new members to our team! Allie, Laura, and Penelope are filling key roles in BioBuilder’s program development and student-facing roles. Learn more about them below and join us in extending a warm welcome!
Allie Leslie, Learning Lab Instructor/Teaching Fellow
Allie is a high school biology teacher with a background in molecular genetics and a firm belief that learning works best when it’s hands-on and a little messy (though she respects the importance of aseptic technique). She first fell in love with teaching as a college TA, watching students experience those “Aha!” moments when their transformed colonies glowed bright green. Since then, she’s taught college biology, middle school science, group fitness, and SCUBA diving—always with the goal of sparking curiosity and helping people feel capable. She’s thrilled to be a part of the BioBuilder team and continue to evolve as an educator and scientist.
We know BioBuilder students are going to love learning from Allie!
Laura Fusaro, Director of US Business Development
Laura attained a master’s degree from Northeastern University in Public Administration in 2024 and has professional experience in teaching, communications, marketing, and fundraising. Her background in teaching, working in higher education, and promoting curriculum for a STEM educational publishing company led to her interest in helping to grow educational programming. Laura is dedicated to making a difference in education in providing students with quality scientific resources. She is looking forward to continuing to focus on building strategic relationships with school systems and partners to support successful learning initiatives at BioBuilder.
Laura says she is really enjoying working with the incredible BioBuilder team in such a collaborative atmosphere. She also shares her enthusiasm for her role: “I’m excited to also be working with STEM leaders in school districts as well as with external partners on expanding our efforts to an even larger demographic.”
Welcome, Laura! We know you’ll knock our socks off!
Penelope DiStefano, Research Associate
Penelope DiStefano Received a B.A. in History from D’Youville University in Western NY and is pursuing an additional degree in the Health Sciences. Her professional experience aligns with her interest in market intelligence, identifying economic and social behavioral trends through research and data analytics. Penelope aspires to be part of a social change that creates a positive impact in the world around her. She says, “I’m genuinely excited to join the team and contribute to the great work being done here at BioBuilder. I’m motivated to learn, grow, and bring my best every day.”
We’re happy to have you, Penelope!