BIOCOM Institute Secures Non-Profit Designation a...( Institute focuses ...)

Institute focuses on science education

SAN DIEGO, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The BIOCOM Institute, a charitable organization focused on advancing science literacy, has secured non-profit status and funding for its mission to serve as a bridge between learning institutions and life science companies.

Funded with two initial $30,000 grants from the Pfizer Foundation and the San Diego Foundation, the institute is a 501 (c) (3) arm of BIOCOM, the association for the Southern California life science community, that will raise awareness and provide training for career opportunities in the biotech and medical device community for students, scientists, career counselors and teachers.

"The BIOCOM Institute concentrates on introducing one of our greatest resources, our children, to their potential for careers in the biotech and medical device community," said Tina Nova Bennett, Ph.D. Genoptix's president and CEO and chairwoman of the BIOCOM Institute board. "The BIOCOM Institute will foster the next generation of life science leaders that may potentially save lives through scientific discovery."

BIOCOM is committed to developing a life science workforce that can fuel innovation, drive regional economic prosperity and build understanding of the life science community.

"The BIOCOM Institute builds on our science education foundation and creates pioneering opportunities for students, teachers, and scientists to work together to improve the state of science education," said Kristie Grover, the BIOCOM Institute's director. "Through programs that encourage science literacy and interaction with the biotech and medical device community, the BIOCOM Institute will open our student's eyes to the world of science and improve the understanding of our industry's impact on humanity."

These programs include:

-- The Biotechnology Space Research Alliance, a partnership with NASA to encourage use of the National Laboratory on t
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