Biotech Partners 15th Anniversary Gala Benefit

On February 19, 2009, Biotech Partners celebrated its 15th Anniversary with a gala benefit and awards ceremony at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. More than 200 guests had the opportunity to learn from the organization's Biotech Academy and Biotech Career Institute students about their experiences in the academic and on-the-job training program before sitting down to dinner. Guest speakers John Fowler, Health and Science Editor, KTVU San Francisco; John Gage, Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; and Ted Love, MD, former Chair and CEO of Nuvelo, Inc., shared informative observations, news of technological innovations and inspiring personal stories of challenge and triumph.

Awards were presented to honor those who helped create the organization and to recognize efforts that have resulted in so many stories of student achievement and success. Founders Awards were presented to California State Senator Loni Hancock, Bayer HealthCare and Fern Tiger. Educator awards were presented to Pinar Alscher, Laney College Chemistry instructor; Berkeley High School; and Oakland Unified School District administrator Alison McDonald for their support of Biotech Partners' mission to serve disadvantaged youth through its innovative science education initiative. Long-time mentors Glenn Yamasaki of Bayer and Tamas Torok of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory were honored for their dedication to supporting youth development and years of service. The audience was moved by program alumni Michele Condon and Omar Murray, and Biotech Career Institute student Bang Tran, who made impassioned introductions of the teacher and mentors who have changed their lives forever.

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items are from 19 Feb 2009.