Life-Changing Science: The BioBuilder Podcast BioBuilder Educational Foundation

Meet Hana Shinzawa, a beacon of inspiration from the BioBuilderClub who joins us to recount her experience as she discovered her passion to do and communicate science. Her AP Bio class captured her imagination leading her to relaunch the BioBuilderClub at her school. In this podcast she reviews her experience embarking on a project that converts scientific curiosity to a real-world application, culminating in the design of a yeast-based sensor for Salmonella detection.

Hana's voice carries the pride of presenting her research to a discerning audience, reflecting the maturity and readiness for her future academic endeavors at MIT. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of problem-based learning, the fusion of biology and engineering, and the importance of making the complex comprehensible. If you're intrigued by the interplay of science, communication, and writing, you won't want to miss the insights Hana brings to the table.
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Are you ready to have your mind expanded by the ingenuity of STEM education? Prepare to be inspired as Zeeshan talks with the dynamic Billy Carrier from Volunteer High School, a public school located in Church Hill, TN serving about 1000 students in grades 9-12.  There Billy is trailblazing the "BioSTEM" program. This isn't your average biology class; it's a revolutionary approach that combines the intricacies of freshman biology with career exploration through hands-on technical training. His class gives students a chance to both enhance their understanding of the living world and also get equipped with the skills that can jumpstart their careers in laboratory sciences. Billy's BioSTEM curriculum is evolving to meet educational standards without sacrificing the depth of scientific understanding and is expanding to more schools in East Tennessee. 

As if merging biology and skills-training wasn't innovative enough, Billy also gives an inside look at how BioBuilder and the STREAMWORKS Robot Drone League recently paired up to offer another novel and engaging learning experience. Picture students competing on an agricultural playing field in a challenge that combines biology, robots, and drones. 

This episode is a fusion of exploration, competition, and real-world application, all through the lens of a teacher who's at the forefront of molding the scientific minds of tomorrow.
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Ever wondered how a high school fascination can ignite a lifelong passion for science and medicine? Zeeshan's conversation with Susana Donkor explores her early days, marked by influential encounters and pivotal experiences, to her current cutting-edge work at Aurion Biotech. Susana shares her journey with heartfelt candor, reflecting on the profound early influence of educational shows and the empowering story of Ben Carson's "Gifted Hands," which sowed the seeds for her aspirations in neuroscience. The dialogue uncovers the power of mentorship and educational programs like BioBuilder and H-Prep, illustrating how they shape the futures of students from diverse backgrounds, and highlighting Susana's transformative experience with BioBuilder that helped chart her course into the world of science.

As we celebrate the season finale, we unveil the layers of Susana's academic and professional evolution, from the BioBuilder apprenticeship's impact on her educational trajectory to her 'big girl' science job and her impressive ascent to an associate scientist role at Aurion Biotech. Susana's narrative is one of dedication and curiosity, as she discusses the transition from academia to industry and the invaluable lessons of accountability and learning from mistakes. Her current adventures include pioneering work on cell line production and clinical trials for corneal endothelial diseases, showcasing not only her remarkable achievements but also serving as an inspiration for the scientists of tomorrow. Join us for an episode that not only celebrates past accomplishments but also shines a light on the boundless opportunities awaiting those with a passion for science.
Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/

And follow BioBuilder on social media:
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Ever wondered how high school curiosity can evolve into a successful career in biotechnology? In this podcast, our guest Tara Peterson shares her unique story of how her high school apprenticeship program at BioBuilder shaped her career. Listen as she reveals the differences between her high school classroom and the BioBuilder program, and the program played a crucial role in kick-starting her journey into a college STEM major and now a career in science.

Tara reveals how her work with BioBuilder, including a poster presentation, paved the way for an internship at LabCentral, opening up even more exciting opportunities in her career. Tara majored in neuroscience systems and behavior Temple University, but found her first job depended on her knowledge, confidence, and love for the techniques she learned at BioBuilder. 

In our final discussions, Tara provides a detailed look into her experiences in synthetic biology and lab operations at LabCentral. She shares her insights about the projects she worked on, and how her journey from high school to college has shaped her career at Novartis. Tara's story is an inspiration for young scientists, demonstrating how the right experiences can build confidence and shape a successful career in biotechnology.
Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/

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Get ready to be inspired by our extraordinary guest, Yesenia Collins. A pivotal figure in her school's BioBuilderClub, Yesenia takes us along on her captivating journey, from her initial introduction to synthetic biology to her innovative projects at Tyngsborough High School. Can you imagine the thrill of manipulating organisms to produce novel scents or even creating a world of vibrant microbial colors? Yesenia did just that in the Smell Lab and What a Colorful World Lab. Yet, it wasn't all smooth sailing - grappling with complex concepts like PCR and understanding plasmids posed significant challenges. But with unrelenting determination, she not only persevered with her first project but also embraced an additional venture.

But what can this world of synthetic biology mean for career paths? For Yesenia, it's everything! Our discussion uncovers the profound influence the BioBuilder program has had on her future aspirations. Driven to major in biochemistry and pursue a career in pharmaceutical research, Yesenia credits much of her ambition to the experiences and knowledge gained through BioBuilder. And as a student ambassador for the program, she's not stopping there. Listen in as she shares her exciting plans for the upcoming year at Georgia Tech. So, buckle up and join us on this enlightening expedition through the world of synthetic biology, led by one of this field's promising young talents.
Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/

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Imagine transforming high school biology education by integrating synthetic biology into the curriculum, igniting students' passion for learning and preparing them for future success. How do you make this possible? This BioBuilder podcast focuses on two extraordinary biology teachers, Amanda Blackburn and Evie Lafollette, who share their inspiring journey of bringing synthetic biology to Dobbins Bennett High School in Tennessee.

Amanda and Evie discuss their BioBuilder training experience in Boston where they discovered this synbio curriculum and its incredible opportunities for their students. From developing unique passions to exploring groundbreaking fields like organism engineering, this episode explores how the BioBuilder curriculum prepares students for AP Capstone research, teaching them independence and essential life skills. We also delve into the exciting evolution of genetic engineering, from Gregor Mendel's discoveries to today's synthetic biology advancements.

In this captivating conversation, Amanda and Evie share how the BioBuilder curriculum fosters resilience and critical thinking in their students. Learn how they encourage students with diverse learning abilities to pursue their interests, develop their projects, and adapt to unexpected changes. Discover the cutting-edge technology they use, such as CRISPR, to better understand the engineering process and position their students for future achievements. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about education and unlocking the potential of the next generation.
Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/

And follow BioBuilder on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/
https://twitter.com/SystemsSally
https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder
https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/16132078