Congrats, Emily Wang! Palo Alto Teen Takes First in International BioGENEius Challenge

Palo Alto student Emily Wang won the International BioGENEius Challenge, the premier competition for high school students that recognizes outstanding research in biotechnology. 

A panel of judges found that Emily’s research in developing fluorescent proteins to improve biosensing helped her stand out from the 14 other finalists from across the US and Canada competing for the Challenge's top prize, a $7,500 cash award. 

“The BioGENEius Challenge seeks to support young students who are addressing global challenges in human health, food and the environment using biotechnology,” said Janelle Curtis, VP of Programs for the Biotechnology Institute, the organization that oversees the Challenge. 

Emily was named last week during a 2014 BIO International Convention's luncheon, which was keynoted by Sir Richard Branson.  The International BioGENEius Challenges is one of the few international competitions to host participants at a leading industry conference, providing students unparalleled access to leading companies, scientists and innovators in biotechnology. 

Emily was not only evaluated on the quality of her research, but also on her research poster presentation and responses to questions testing her scientific knowledge.  Moreover, the student’s research was reviewed for the potential commercial and practical applications of their project.  

Emily’s project, titled, “Illuminating Disease Pathways: Developing Bight Fluorescent Proteins to Improve FRET Biosensing," seeks to help visualize disease pathways, including cancer metastases. 

The second, third, and fourth place winners, who won $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000, respectively were:

·         Logan Collins, Fairview High School, Boulder, CO

·         Neil Davey, Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, MD

·         Nathan Han, Boston Latin School, Boston, MA 

“The young people that we saw on the stage today are the future of our industry and soon will be solving the world’s problems,” said Mark Lievonen, President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited.  "Sanofi Pasteur is proud to be involved in a competition that applauds STEM students for their forward-looking projects and commitment to research. “ 

The U.S. National and International BioGENEius Challenge is organized by the Biotechnology Institute, a U.S. based organization dedicated to biotechnology education.  Generous Co-Lead Supporters of the Challenge are Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of global pharmaceutical company Sanofi, and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.  

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, visitwww.biotechinstitute.org.