BioBuilder Educational Foundation’s Post

🌼 The Jersey Daffodil Project: Advancing STEM Education with Nanopore Sequencing 🌼  We’re excited to share insights from the Jersey Daffodil Project, an innovative initiative that integrated nanopore sequencing into secondary school classrooms. This project has made a significant impact on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, and here’s how:  Objectives:  Enhance STEM skills through hands-on DNA sequencing.  Foster scientific identity among students.  Inspire career aspirations in biological sciences.  Results:  Improved Skills: Students mastered DNA extraction, sequencing, and data analysis using nanopore technology.  Increased Scientific Identity: Enhanced perception of students as future scientists.  Career Aspirations: 100% of the 2020 cohort applied for undergraduate courses in biological sciences.  Efficiency: Nanopore sequencing proved to be cost-effective and time-efficient.  The Jersey Daffodil Project demonstrates how nanopore sequencing can transform STEM education and inspire the next generation of scientists.  📖 For more details, check out the full article. #STEMEducation #NanoporeSequencing #ScientificResearch #EducationInnovation #JerseyDaffodilProject

🌟 Join Us in Empowering Future Scientists! 🌟 Hello LinkedIn Community, At Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. We are excited to announce our "Sponsor a Learner" initiative, designed to provide underprivileged students with the resources they need to excel in science. By partnering with us, your company can make a tangible impact on the future of these young learners. Your sponsorship will provide essential science equipment, labware, glassware, and chemicals, helping students gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of science. Why Sponsor a Learner? Empower the Next Generation: Equip students with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in science and technology. Enhance Corporate Social Responsibility: Demonstrate your company’s commitment to education and community development. Foster Sustainable Development: Contribute to a brighter future by investing in the education of today’s youth. Our Vision: At Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, we are dedicated to revolutionizing science education by equipping students with the essential knowledge and skills to excel as future scientists. The disparity in science education resources across schools leads to a significant gap in hands-on learning opportunities, often resulting in a lack of engagement and confidence among students. Our vision is to bridge this gap by providing schools with essential science equipment, fostering an environment where students can actively engage in scientific exploration and learning. Enhanced Social Responsibility: Partnering with us will not only support our mission but also elevate your company's corporate social responsibility profile. By contributing directly to improving science education in underserved schools, you demonstrate a commitment to societal betterment. Increased Brand Exposure: Your brand will gain visibility and be positively associated with the advancement of science education and the development of future scientific talent. This association can enhance your brand’s reputation and recognition. Customized Support Opportunities: We offer our partners the flexibility to either choose specific schools to support or select from a list of schools that require assistance, ensuring that your contribution has the maximum impact. This tailored approach allows you to see the direct results of your support. Our Success Stories: Nkazimulo Applied Sciences has a strong track record of successful collaborations with notable sponsors. Our commitment to delivering measurable results and fostering long-term relationships with our partners is unwavering. These partnerships have enabled us to make significant strides in improving science education. Call to Action: Join us in transforming science education and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Together, we can make a lasting impact. To learn more about how your company can get involved, please contact us at 011 462 0354 Thank you.

🎉 As we conclude WHM 2024, we're thrilled to honor Dr. Gina Razidlo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and an esteemed mentor to our PREP scholars. Join us for an exclusive interview with her. Here’s the Q&A: Q1. Can you tell us about your background and journey that led you to your current role as a mentor in the scientific community? A1. I probably never would have considered a career in science, until a high school physics teacher recognized me with a science award. I probably never would have considered a career in research, until a college chemistry professor asked me to work on a summer research project in her lab. I probably never would have considered a career as a Principal Investigator leading a research team, until my graduate school mentor told me he thought I could – and should! – do it. So many positive, powerful influences have had the ability to shape my path! For me, this really highlights the value of mentorship and the power of encouraging words when you see possibilities in someone. Q2. What do you enjoy most about mentoring and supporting students or junior researchers in your lab? A2. My favorite part is the excitement and enthusiasm that students and junior researchers bring to the projects. It reminds me what a unique opportunity and privilege we have to work with these amazing resources and that our job is to learn. I love when someone on the team is excited to come up with a new idea, set up a new experiment, or show me a new result! That spark and enthusiasm are contagious and elevate the whole team. I also love seeing them shine, especially presenting their research. We work together quite a bit to put together talks, papers, etc, so to see the finished product and get to see the student thrive is really rewarding and makes me very proud. Q3. How do you support and mentor individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM fields within your lab? A3. One of the most important things I have learned from my research team, which matches my own experiences, is that some flexibility and compassion go a long way in both supporting each other personally and in reaching our research goals. Each person has a unique background and story, their own skills and strengths, and personalized values and goals. Consequently, each person’s needs may be different in terms of communication, mentorship, amount of oversight, and the amount of time it takes to get to their destination. We all share a common goal in working towards research excellence, but allowing for some flexibility in how to get there can help ensure that people feel supported, can lean in on their strengths, and can help everyone reach their potential. Read more: https://bit.ly/3TUCk29 #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInSTEM #WomenInScience

PhD and not in a lab? What a waste! * * * But what if I told you, the science background that thrived in a traditional lab thrives just as much leading programs that empower women in STEM at VigyanShaala International! My "lab" has simply evolved. Instead of relying solely on experience, intuition, and judgment, I practice the scientific method for every decision I make. Experience and intuition are valuable, but they have limitations. Integration of scientific method helps me overcome biases and make more informed decisions. I question assumptions, experiment to test hypotheses, and make choices by relying on hard evidence. For example, when we noticed a significant drop in student engagement midway through a program, I didn't just assume it was due to disinterest. Digging deeper with surveys and focused groups helped me realize a critical need for content adjustments. Tailoring the curriculum with more practical topics and restructuring the modules resulted in a 20% boost in participation. We don't just guess what works - we test it! We wanted to build a sense of community. Based on research, we hypothesized open discussions about shared challenges would help. We tested it in a workshop - high participation and positive feedback from fellows confirmed our hypothesis. This continuous cycle of testing and refining ensures our strategies are data-driven and impactful. Data is gold! By measuring program impact, we discovered post-program engagement is required to boost outcomes. This prompted us to design city chapters and club models at VigyanShaala International, now core parts of our program! Basing decisions on concrete data helps us design better initiatives. Just like in a lab, we isolate variables to see what works best. We studied faculty mentors' impact on student engagement. Data showed a hub-and-spoke model significantly boosted program effectiveness. This approach, isolating variables and measuring results, lets us pinpoint what truly drives student success. In my work, I've found that using scientific methods for program development and decision-making consistently leads to higher success rates, reduces personal biases, and fuels innovation and growth. Many scientists find themselves in exciting non-traditional roles. If that's you, share your story! How does your scientific background empower you to make a difference? Darshana Joshi, Ph.D. | Vijay Venugopalan, PhD | Tripti Joshi, Ph.D. | Salini Senthil | Kanchan Pant | Titly Chakraborty | Monalisa Bandyopadhyay | Shubham Jaybhaye | Sreejith Sreenivasan | The/Nudge Institute | NSRCEL | Gayathri Swahar #Science #STEM #WomenInSTEM #Education #CareerChange #NonTraditional #ScientificThinking #Impact #DataDriven #ScienceForGood #ProgramDevelopment

From health sciences to engineering, the possibilities of STEM majors! are vast. As industries grow, so do career opportunities. Discover how STEM innovations are shaping our future and unlocking new horizons in medicine and technology. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dtQziQe8 #STEM #MedicalAdvancements #Innovation #STEMEd #SciTechInstitute

AACE is where STEM 🧪and Business 💼 collide: Meet our Senior Engineer and Managing Director, Yuriy Snyder. Yuriy is in his final year as a Ph.D. candidate in Biological Engineering, focusing on tissue engineering by creating heart valve scaffolds for various applications using novel polymers and techniques. Yuriy's journey into AACE began when he noticed a crucial gap between academic research and its application in healthcare. Seeking to bridge this gap, he found his way to AACE, drawn by the opportunity to apply his technical expertise in a business context. "I soon encountered a disconnect between academic research and the real-world application of our work in healthcare," Yuriy shared. His role in AACE has allowed him to leverage his scientific background for due diligence in biomed/biotech deals, significantly impacting the fund's success in these sectors. As Managing Director, Yuriy's role encompasses deal sourcing, leading due diligence for biomed/biotech deals, and mentoring. His experience highlights the vital role of STEM majors in analyzing and advancing innovative technologies within venture capital. "The reality is that a lot of our most lucrative deals are in agriculture or med/biotech," Yuriy emphasizes, showcasing the importance of scientific expertise in evaluating and supporting ventures like Neuro Rehab VR, Elemental Enzymes, and Impetus Agriculture, Inc. AACE stands out as a prime opportunity for STEM students to use their technical skills in real scenarios, beyond the lab or classroom. Yuriy believes, "There’s no way you can mimic it in the lab, there's no way you can mimic it in any classes, there’s no way you can read it out of a textbook." If you're a STEM major eager to explore the intersection of science, technology, and entrepreneurship, AACE might just be the launchpad you need. Join us in shaping the future of innovation and venture capital. Apply here today: https://lnkd.in/gigabuvb #STEM #VentureCapital #BiomedicalVentures #BridgeTheGap #Mizzou #Trulaske

STEM Research Topics for an Educational Paper In the ever-evolving fields of #Science, #Technology, #Engineering, and #Mathematics (STEM), staying ahead with innovative #research is key to driving progress and solving complex global challenges. From advancements in artificial #intelligence to breakthroughs in environmental sustainability, choosing the right research topic can set the foundation for significant contributions to your field. Whether you're a #student, #researcher, or #professional, identifying relevant and impactful topics is crucial. Curious about where to start? Check out this comprehensive list of trending #STEM research topics that can inspire your next #project or paper. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dwYFGKPq

I spoke to a Harvard senior last year who was deciding what to do after college. She studied applied math and had pretty good experience doing computational projects in a stem cell biology lab. She had already decided against med school or a PhD. Right there in that sunlit Blue Bottle Coffee, I thought to myself, Great, the perfect person to recruit to compbio. Then she asked if there was a path for her to get into compbio work in biotech/pharma after she graduates. I thought really hard for a moment and had to admit, No, probably not without getting a PhD first. That was the last answer I wanted to give to an ambitious young scientist, but I had to be honest. I just don't see very many industry compbio jobs targeting new college grads. This was a damning moment for our field. How can someone with rigorous college-level quantitative training not have a way to help solve our problems? If Google can make use of high school students, and McKinsey can put 25-year-olds in charge of multimillion-dollar engagements, surely we, creative problem-solvers in computational biology, can find a way to activate smart young scientists to do what we do, right out of college? If we don't remove these barriers to entry, and do it soon, we risk losing an entire generation of compbio talent. Young people these days have wised up to the broken state of academia. They receive a healthy amount of warnings AGAINST doing PhDs. They have witnessed a sizable exodus from academia in the past few years. They appreciate how the structure of academia makes it easy and even necessary to exploit young scientists. Also, they expect to get paid a livable wage. So if they have to choose between a PhD and doing something else with their quantitative training, what do you think they will choose? If biotech/pharma still expects aspiring computational biologists to get PhDs, we don't stand a chance to compete for top talent. At least that hojicha latte was good. #computationalbiology #compbio #bioinformatics

I couldn't agree more. I have the utmost respect for PhD scientists and researchers, but I do believe my generation is wising up to the realities of what that level of academic achievement does (or rather, what it does not) earn you. Years of lowly paid graduate labor, often in explorative conditions, that then primarily qualify you for more trainee positions with a low education: compensation ratio, with an ultimate end goal of a career that is rapidly disappearing and unstable. Many Bachelor's level scientists are hard working, intelligent, and driven. Opening positions in the compbio, Pharmaceutical, and CRO world to them might be one of the best decisions these companies can make. Imagine a hiring a 25 year old lab manager who already has 3 years of experience in your specific lab vs. a 25 year old with a master's degree and no experience in your lab. One of those individuals will require countless (expensive) hours of training to effectively manage the lab and follow all SOPs and protocols, while the other will not. There will always be positions that are best filled by experts in the field, but truthfully, how many PhD's working in Industry are in the exact field they did their dissertation on? What elevates these individuals as an "expert" in their position are the hard and soft skills gained through doing a PhD, which are the same hard and soft skills that can be learned through 5+ years of experience in a lab coordinator/tech/analyst role.

The Genesis of Learn Science Academy: A Personal Journey to Enhance Life Sciences Education Reflecting on my own academic journey while pursuing both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees, I encountered a challenge that resonates with many aspiring scientists. Despite the demanding nature of our coursework, I found that access to advanced molecular techniques, state-of-the-art equipment, and the latest software necessary for research and industry was alarmingly limited. This gap in practical experience often hindered the transition into research roles or positions in industries where such skills are paramount. During my college years, it was all too easy to become preoccupied with meeting curriculum requirements rather than genuinely enhancing our skill sets. While textbooks and academic protocols provided a systematic approach to performing techniques, they fell short in preparing us for the inevitable challenges that arise in real-world scenarios. There was a distinct disconnect between theoretical knowledge and practical problem-solving. I vividly remember a phase in my studies where I was well-versed in theory but lacked hands-on experience with cutting-edge techniques. It was a frustrating experience, often leaving me feeling significantly behind my peers who had the benefit of practical exposure. Fortunately, a pivotal opportunity arose that allowed me to gain the practical experience I had been yearning for. Engaging with the latest trends, techniques, and tools not only equipped me with a competitive edge but also opened doors in research and industry. This transformative experience made me realize that I was not alone in facing these challenges; many students grapple with similar obstacles. It was in this moment of clarity that the concept for Learn Science Academy was born. Learn Science Academy was established with a mission to bridge the gap in life sciences education. We offer comprehensive training on the latest molecular techniques, bioinformatics tools, and industry-relevant skills designed to propel students and researchers ahead of the curve. Our approach goes beyond merely teaching protocols; we emphasize the importance of troubleshooting when experiments don’t unfold as expected—a crucial skill often overlooked in traditional education. In a rapidly evolving field like life sciences, staying ahead is essential. At Learn Science Academy, we are dedicated to empowering you with the skills that truly make a difference in your career. Join us on this journey, and together, let's cultivate a future where every aspiring life scientist can thrive. #LearnScienceAcademy #MolecularBiology #Bioinformatics #ResearchSkills #LifeSciences #ScientificEducation #UpSkill #CareerInScience #TroubleshootingTechniques