Prarthana Dalal, a senior from Shawnee Mission East High School in Leawood, Kan., has won the International BioGENEius Challenge, a competition for high school students who demonstrate an exemplary understanding of biotechnology through science research projects. Fourteen students from the U.S., Canada and Western Australia competed in this year's event. She will receive an award of $7,500.
Winners were announced today at the 2011 BIO International Convention keynote luncheon. The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry, expected to attract an estimated 15,000 attendees from around the world this year. The Convention gathers the biggest names in biotech, offers key networking and partnering opportunities and provides insights and inspiration on the major trends affecting the industry.
Dalal's project is titled "Modeling of human non-deletional hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) conditions in ß-globin locus transgenic mouse models: The -175 (T to C) and -195 (C to G) A-gamma globin gene point mutations." She looked at hemoglobin genetics and how sequence changes can effect fetal hemoglobin production in mouse models, which can be used to understand treatment mechanisms for sickle cell disease.
Students were evaluated not only on the quality of their research and display, but also on their responses to questions relating to their scientific knowledge and potential commercial applications of their research. The panel of judges included scientists, researchers, educators and key members of the biotech industry who selected the first- through fourth-place winners.
"For more than 15 years, the aim of the International BioGENEius Challenge has been to engage, excite and educate students about biotechnology and its immense potential for solving human health, food and environmental problems," says Tom Wiggans, Chairman of The Biotechnology Institute. "By highlighting the amazing research of these students, we hope to encourage other students to consider pursuing a career in biotechnology."
The International BioGENEius Challenge is organized by the Biotechnology Institute, the national organization dedicated to biotechnology education, and sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, a leading global pharmaceutical company, and Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies.
"Tomorrow's scientific discoveries depend upon society's ability to develop scientists today," notes Damian Braga, Sanofi Pasteur's senior vice president, global commercial operations, vaccines. "Science-based corporations need to do all we can to encourage and support young students' interest in the sciences, and this competition is one way to do that."
"There continues to be immense potential in the future of the biotechnology industry," says Jay P. Siegel, M.D., Chief Biotechnology Officer and Head, Global Regulatory Affairs, J&JPRD. "As a science-based organization, our goal is to nurture the biotech leaders of tomorrow."
The other top winners were:
Second Place: Nathan Kondamuri from Munster High School in Dyer, Ind., received a $5,000 award for his project titled "A Novel Biofuel Cell Based on Direct Electron Transfer-Type Bioelectrocatalysis Incorporating the Efficient System of Photophosphorylation."
Third Place: David Campeau from Mayo High School in Rochester, Minn., received a $2,500 award for his project titled "Brain Computer Interface."
Fourth Place: Jenna Pappalardo from Satellite High School in Merritt Island, Fla., received a $1,000 award for her project titled "Meddling with RGS17."
Each remaining participant received an honorable mention award and $500.
The International BioGENEius Challenge, which emerged from the Sanofi Pasteur (then called Connaught) BioGENEius Challenge, was launched at the first BIO International Convention in 1994. Today, the initiative has grown in both national and international prominence.
Sanofi Pasteur has supported the BioGENEius Challenge since its inception. In addition to Sanofi Pasteur and Janssen, support for the BioGENEius Challenge is provided by International Sponsors Genentech and Amgen and U.S. National Sponsors Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inspire Pharmaceuticals and Sangamo BioSciences.
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, visit www.biotechinstitute.org.
About Sanofi Pasteur
Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, provides more than 1 billion doses of vaccine each year, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers the broadest range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development. For more information, please visit: www.sanofipasteur.com or www.sanofipasteur.us.
About Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. and Janssen
At Janssen we are dedicated to addressing and solving some of the most important unmet medical needs of our time in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases and vaccines, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Driven by our commitment to patients, we develop innovative products, services and healthcare solutions to help people throughout the world. Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. is one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies.
Contacts:
Environics Communications
Dana Korsen, 202-296-2002 x128
dk@ecius.net
