Biotech Partners Hosts Transforming Lives of Youth Gala

From Biotech Partners: Join Biotech Partners’ at their 24th Gala celebration Transforming Lives of Youth at the Oakland Marriott City Center on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 6:00 – 10:00p.m. Founded in 1993 through an unprecedented 30 year Development Agreement between the City of Berkeley and Bayer, Biotech Partners, an independent non-profit, expanded its academy program in 2015 and is currently serving Berkeley, Oakland Tech, Antioch, South San Francisco and San Marin high schools. Biotech Partners’ current enrollment of 288 11th and 12th Graders, taught by teachers trained in the Biotech Academy curriculum and supported by Biotech Partners professional staff, school counselors and administrators, together move “at-promise” students through their impediments to learning to achieve academic success, develop career focus, and matriculate to higher education.

This summer 77 rising seniors will gain valuable working experience during their 6-8 week paid summer internships within the bioscience and STEM related industries throughout the Greater Bay Area. Students gain valuable experience in meaningful work and mentors gain a skilled entry level “Lab Assistant.” “Biotech Partners helped me to transform my life.

I now have a career and focus in biotech and not just a job” said Nia Assata, Biotech Partners Alumni. Biotech Partners’ programming at all school sites features rigorous hands-on lab experiments; job preparedness training; academic and personal support; and paid practical internships in the bioscience and healthcare industries. Biotech Partners believes that all students can succeed if provided opportunity, support and motivation. “Biotech Partners lives up to its name by collaborating with more than 35 biotech, healthcare, corporate, education, foundation and government partners,” adds Board Member and Event Chair, Tina Etcheverry, Ph.D. “This year we are pleased to recognize at the Gala, Debra Charlesworth, BioMarin, as Exceptional Partner; Irina Silva, Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), as Exceptional Mentoring Partner; and Mike Mendoza, Biotech Alumni, as Amazing Alumni.

Images Via Pixabay