Taylorsville teacher a finalist for national biotech award

The Biotechnology Institute announced that Pamela Johnston, a teacher at Alexander Central High School in Taylorsville, has been named a finalist for the 2009 Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award.

The award was established by the Biotechnology Institute to recognize leading high school educators who are bringing biotechnology to their classrooms and encouraging fellow science teachers to do the same.

The finalists are chosen from among more than 2,000 teachers-leaders who participated in the Biotechnology Institute's National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program. Through intensive professional development, the program provides educators with the skills and strategies to introduce biotechnology to their students and educate their peers to do the same.

Sponsored by Genzyme Corporation and Life Technologies Corporation, the award will be presented May 17 during the Biotechnology Education Banquet at the Biotechnology Institute's Conference on Biotechnology Education in Atlanta, Ga.

"The teachers who have been nominated have tirelessly mentored young scientific minds that may one day change our world for the better," said Henry Darnell, Genzyme's vice president of corporate community affairs. "Since 1981, Genzyme has existed to innovate and deliver life-saving therapies for people with serious diseases, and has developed partnerships with organizations like the Biotechnology Institute to have a lasting positive impact on our community. We commend these educators for their own powerful impact – successfully bringing the promise of biotechnology and the potential of scientific discovery into their classrooms."

"The Life Technologies Corporation recognizes how critical science teachers are to empowering today's children to become tomorrow's scientific leaders," said Pete Leddy, senior vice president, global human resources for Life Technologies and Institute board member. "It is an honor to continue our support of the Biotechnology Institute's Biotech Educator Award for the fifth consecutive year.

The winners from among the finalists will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges for their proven leadership and excellent education record, their commitment to furthering the teaching of biotechnology, and their development of innovative ways to teach biotechnology. The first place winner will receive $10,000; second place winner will receive $5,000; and the third-place winner will receive $2,500.

Other finalists for the 2009 Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award are:

· Kacia Cain, East High School, Des Moines, IA

· Cheryl Coronado, Woodrow Wilson High School, Portsmouth, VA

· Ada Harvey, Flagler Palm Coast High School, Palm Coast, FL

· Amy Martin, Creekview High School, Canton, GA

· Dave Menshew, James C. Enochs High School, Modesto, CA

· Ericka Senegar-Mitchell, Junipero Serra High School, San Diego, CA

· Tamica Stubbs, E.E. Waddel High School, Charlotte, NC

· Mark Temons, Muncy High School, Muncy, PA

· Joan White, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, Chicago, IL

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.