MassBioEd is holding its 6th Annual Champions for Biotechnology Education Awards Reception on Tuesday, October 26th. This hybrid event, held in person at the UMass Club in Boston and virtually via live stream, will celebrate outstanding contributions to life sciences education in Massachusetts. MassBioEd is honoring a teacher, a school, and a company for their efforts to empower students to enter careers in the life sciences industry, as well as awarding the Henri A. Termeer Student Scholarship to a student for their academic excellence and dedication to pursuing biotechnology in college. This year’s event will also highlight the evolution and impact of MassBioEd’s programs over 20 years.
Rim Bozo
Dartmouth College Student from Pioneer Charter School of Science
Champion Student & Henri A. Termeer Student Scholarship Recipient
Rim was born in Morocco and moved to the United States as a young child. She graduated from Pioneer Charter School of Science in June 2021 and is now studying Neuroscience and Biological Anthropology at Dartmouth College. Rim is a dedicated, hardworking student who is passionate about healthcare equity. As a LEAH Knox Scholar, she held several internships in science and was involved in teaching STEM lessons to children in the Boston Public School community and after-school programs. Her interest in STEM combined with her personal experience of the inequalities in the healthcare system has inspired her to strive to become a force for positive change in the medical field. The Henri A. Termeer Student Scholarship recognizes a student committed to excellence and who aspires for a future career in the life sciences and provides $2,500 towards college tuition.
“I am beyond grateful to be supported by the indomitable team of the Henri A. Termeer Scholarship. This scholarship represents a step towards my never ending pursuit in scientific discovery, hope towards helping others, and work amongst future generations to make equitable care the new norm. I am thankful for this opportunity and its endeavor to support students like me in their pursuit of a college education.”
Rim Bozo, Dartmouth College Student & Pioneer Charter School of Science graduate; 2021 Henri A. Termeer Student Scholarship Recipient
Stacey Chapley
Biotechnology Teacher at Frontier Regional High School
Champion Teacher & Henri A. Termeer Educator Grant Recipient
Stacey Chapley has been a classroom teacher for six years, five as a permanent science teacher. She teaches Biotechnology, Biology, AP Biology, Science and Technology, and Forensic Science. Stacey plays a lead role in implementing MassBioEd’s ACCESS program within Frontier Regional School, working closely with our BioTeach team. Since taking her first class with MassBioEd three years ago, she has regularly sought out opportunities to deepen her own knowledge of biotechnology and bring interactive, hands-on lab experiences to her students. Her hard work and dedication led to the implementation of Frontier Regional‘s first-ever Biotechnology class. In addition to her work in the classroom, Stacey is creating an after-school science club to further engage students in science. The Henri A. Termeer Foundation supports the MassBioEd Champion Teacher Award with a $2,500 grant to be used towards the purchase of equipment and supplies for life sciences education programs.
Bristol Myers Squibb
Champion Organization
Bristol Myers Squibb has shown a long-term commitment to STEM education in all the communities where they are based, helping middle school, high school, and college students explore their interests in science and technology by visiting classrooms, participating in science and career fairs, and serving as judges at regional and statewide science and technology competitions. In Cambridge, BMS employees volunteer their time with the Biomedical Science Careers Program, a non-profit organization that supports academically outstanding students, particularly within historically underrepresented communities. Cambridge employees also serve as mentors as part of Science Club for Girls after-school programming. In addition to hosting an annual Career Exploration Day for high school students, the biologics manufacturing facility in Devens welcomes younger children each year for a “Scientist for a Day” event with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass. & MetroWest. Since 2017, the Devens Chapter of the BMS Network of Women (B-NOW) has hosted Women in Chemical Engineering (ChE) Day. This annual event welcomes approximately 30 undergraduate students, specifically women in chemical engineering or a related program, from universities across New England to the Devens site to meet with campus leadership, many of whom are women, and tour the manufacturing and laboratory spaces to learn more about how we use engineering to develop and manufacture life-changing medications right here in Massachusetts. BMS has supported MassBioEd for years by hosting Career Exploration Days and through their hardworking employee volunteers who serve as Career Ambassadors, as well as providing support through grants. Most recently, BMS was the first lead funder to support MassBioEd’s Life Sciences Apprenticeship program and remains the largest employer partner of the first cohort of apprentices.
Everett High School
Champion School & Joshua Boger Innovative School of the Year
Everett High School is committed to engaging students in hands-on biotechnology experiences and has been a participant in MassBioEd’s BioTeach programming for years. They began implementing biotechnology activities as an addition to their Honors Biology classes, and have since expanded to include biotechnology labs in regular biology classes as well as biotechnology electives. After the success of their initial Biotechnology 1 elective, they were awarded a grant from Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to expand their biotechnology program. Everett High now offers three levels of Biotechnology classes and a STEM pathway that includes biotechnology along with engineering, computer science, and robotics classes. Many of their students who complete biotechnology courses are accepted into programs such as the LEAH Knox Scholars, the Harvard Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure, and the Forsyth Student Scholars, where they are applauded for their strong lab skills and content knowledge. A large number of Everett High School students go on to attend college for life sciences and biotechnology.
The Champions Reception is on October 26th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. If you are interested in attending, you can register for in-person or virtual attendance here.