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November 21, 2014

Palm Beach State College STEM Community Outreach

Palm Beach State College participated in STEM night at Beacon Cove Intermediate School in Jupiter. Thanks to

Anthony Vargas, Lisa Wetmore, Peggy Brody, Nancy Bourne, Principal Leslie Bolte for encouraging STEM in-

struction and activities for the whole family.

Be sure to check out this interesting read: Five things Successful Ph.D. Students Refuse to Do. Click here.

On Friday, 11/21/14 students from Palm Beach Lakes High School conducted an

RNA isolation from human cervical cancer cells (HeLa calls) using the Qiagen RNe-

asy kit. Students, working in groups of 2-3, were given 1 million cells and were

able to get good quality and yields of RNA. Students determined the concentra-

tion and purity of their RNA samples using the NanoDrop. Following the lab, stu-

dents heard presentations on dual enrollment, degree programs, scholarships --

delivered by recruiter Alex Cunningham in a fun “Jeopardy” game style.

Thanks to Biotech students Rebecca Stremel and Dan Sohlden for their assistance

during the lab; Edison Mejia for lab setup and guidance; Lake Worth-based Stu-

dent Ambassadors Keilynn and Isiah; Recruiters Alex Cunningham and Lisa Wetmore; and Lakes teachers Dr.

Pedro-Rosa and Ms. Reese for bringing the students to campus today! Come back soon.

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Also on Friday, over 30 students from John L. Leonard High School’s Medical

Academy dropped by the Biotech labs to discuss the applications of biotechnology

in the medical field. Students learned about the Human Genome Project, produc-

tion of insulin, medical devices, and even got to make homemade lava lamps.

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Florida Biomedical Career Symposium

Palm Beach State College Biotech students Tevin Ali, Rebecca Stremel, Yanet Perez, and Leticia Gnazzo attend-

ed the Florida Biomedical Career Symposium by ASBMB (American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol-

ogy) hosted at Scripps Florida and had a wonderful time! Attendees gained insights into global education out-

reach for Science, Engineering and Technology Careers; Navigating through your first postdoc or professor-

ship; interviewing inside and outside of academia; and scientific marketing to the public. Speakers were from

Scripps, NIH, Max Planck, FSU ASBMB, FAU & Lilly Research Laboratories. The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Harold

W. Kroto, Francis Eppes Professor, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University

Dr. Kroto was awarded the 1996 Nobel prize for his work, co-discovery of “Buckyballs”, a molecule consisting

on 60 carbon atoms arranged as a sphenoid, equal to the stitching on soccer balls.

Biotech student Rebecca Stremel reports; “Dr. Kroto is an amazing, inspirational speaker, he speaks of his

journey towards his success and discusses what motivates scientists to do what they do; it’s not about prizes

it’s about inspiring yourself and being inspired to achieve new things, to better the world. He shows a slide of a

little girl working on the 60 carbon atom molecule, piece by piece, and as she manages to finish it, her face

glows with pride and joy. That is what we, as scientists are expected to inspire in others as much as in our-

selves. We need to glow in pride and joy from every project, idea we work on and we need to inspire others to

achieve that glow in science.

Dr. Kroto also spoke of The Global Outreach for Science, Engineering and Technology (GEOSET) Project pio-

neered by FSU. This project is an amazing application in which you make an educational video, upload it to GE-

OSET and receive feedback. Most PIs do not have the time to read through all the applications they receive so

a video presentation is a great way to call attention to yourself and demonstrate your teaching skills. More info

here.

Alex Palkowitz, Ph.D., VP of Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies at Eli Lilly and Company provided

the following keynotes to success:

Establish a strong scientific foundation during the first several years of career

Create strong mentoring relationship with experienced scientists and leaders

Maintain a strong desire to keep learning

Take challenging assignments. Thoughtful risks

Develop an interest for “bigger picture” questions

Develop an ability to work in teams-good teamwork as well as the ability to work individually and contrib-

ute

Bring forward new ideas

Demonstrate integrity and good judgment- represent the company

The symposium is supported by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). At-

tendees were invited to join the ASBMB. Members receive support and benefits from the ASBMB which include

educational outreach programs as well as providing the stepping stone in publishing (for free) when ready.

This event was definitely a worthwhile experience for undergraduates as it prepares and gives an insight to

what’s to come, regardless of the path, career chosen”.

Students declared it was hands down one of the best conferences they had attended!

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Upcoming Events

11/20/14 The Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida Cancer Vaccines Lecture, “‘The Role of

Genomics in Developing Vaccines in Breast and Ovarian Cancers “. The Elliott Museum / Stuart, Fllorida

11/20/14 Scripps Seminar, Julien Sage, Ph.D. “Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Lung and Pancreatic can-

cer” 4:00PM / Bldg. B Room B158

11/21/14 Palm Beach Lakes High School HeLa cell RNA isolation lab and tour of Bioscience Complex.

11/24/14 Biotech I Lab field trip to Ocean Ridge Biosciences 11:00AM

11/24/14 Tissue Culture Lab field trip to Scripps 111:00AM

11/24/14 Biotech II Lab field trip to Biotools 2:00PM

11/25/14 Intro to Biotech Lab field trip to Scripps 6:45PM

11/25/14 Biotechnology Program Information Session 2:00PM / SC214. Advanced registration required

call 561 207-5055. Click here for more info.

12/2/14 Biotech Staff meeting, 12:50PM/ SC214

12/4/14 Max Planck Seminar, Pablo Castillo, MD, PhD - Einstein. "Retrograde Signaling and Synaptic Plas-

ticity" Elmore Auditorium 11:00am

12/4/14 Biotechnology Program Information Session 10:00AM / SC214. Advanced registration required

call 561 207-5055. Click here for more info.

12/8/14 Biotechnology Fall Poster Symposium 12-3:00PM / SC127

Have an event to share? Let us know.

Palm Beach State College Biotechnology Program

Poster Symposium

Monday, Dec. 8th 1-3pm / SC127 Palm Beach Gardens campus 3160 PGA Boulevard For more information, call

561-207-5055

Event Includes: •Biotech Student Presentations •Prizes for Top Presenters •Free Refreshments

Learn about Biotechnology Research and Methods: •Genomics • Instrumentation •Cell Culture • Proteomics

Meet Local Scientists! Learn about Life Science Careers!

We are looking for scientists to serve as judges to critique student presentations at the

Symposium. Topics include Taq Man QPCR, ELISA, southern and western blots, restriction enzyme digestion of DNA, PCR, plasmid transformation of E. Coli, chromatography, and

more! Network with the Biotech community and find out about adjunct faculty opportuni-ties. Contact Becky Mercer here if interested .

Do you have a Palm Beach State College Biotech story ? Let us know!

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Interested in sponsoring the Biotechnology Program?

We need your support to grow and provide more opportunities for life

science students. Contact Dr. Mercer for details on how you can help.

Want to receive this newsletter to a different email address? Know a colleague who could benefit

from the newsletter? Please contact Brenda Lesser to be added to the mailing list.

www.palmbeachstate.edu/programs/Biotechnology

PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE BIOTECHNOLOGY

ACADEMIC TIP OF THE WEEK

Have your "Over the next five years, I see myself..." elevator pitch rehearsed and ready to fire. No more than 60 seconds. One or two sentences if possible.

Biotechnology Association

The November 5th meeting featured an interactive wine making lab. Be sure to

visit our website here for more information.

Wine was prepared during the lab from strawberries, and red and white grapes.

Biotech student and brew master Thomas Penrose leads the wine making work-shop.

Attendees pose for photo