Podcasts about biobuilder

What happens when scientific curiosity meets life-changing opportunity? Nicole Mumbi shares her remarkable journey and provides a powerful answer to this question.Moving from Nairobi, Kenya to Boston in 2019, Nicole faced the challenge of cultural transition while nurturing her budding interest in science. Though initially experiencing culture shock and language barriers, her determination never wavered. A simple middle school experiment on atmospheric pressure had already planted the seed of scientific fascination that would shape her future path.When Nicole's high school guidance counselor suggested applying to the BioBuilder Apprenticeship Program, she seized the opportunity despite her fears and busy academic schedule. At Ginkgo Bioworks' Learning Lab, Nicole and her team developed "Break the Stigma" – an innovative at-home HIV detection project that engineered bacterial cells with CD4 receptors to detect the virus in blood samples. This first-hand laboratory experience transformed her understanding of science from textbook concepts to real-world applications.The technical skills Nicole gained – from PCR to scientific presentation – became the foundation for her subsequent internship at the prestigious Ragon Institute. Now thriving as a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology student at UMass Amherst, she gives back by tutoring other students in chemistry while contemplating whether her future lies in research, medicine, or a combination of both.Throughout her story, Nicole emphasizes the importance of pushing past imposter syndrome to take chances. "I remember having this imposter syndrome person talking to me saying, 'I don't think you have enough qualifications,'" she shares. "But I was grateful for my mom's encouragement to partake in opportunities without feeling like an outsider."Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Greg Wu shares his transformative journey from high school in China to becoming an aspiring pioneer in synthetic biology. His story highlights critical educational opportunities at BioBuilder that shaped his passion for science and his future ambitions.• Greg's initial interest in natural sciences during high school • Discovering BioBuilder and its influence on his academic career • Experience in synthetic biology and engineering bacteria for unique projects • Transitioning to higher education in the US at Emory University • The value of interdisciplinary studies and collaborations with Georgia Tech • Future plans for a PhD in biomedical engineering and community engagement Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Daniel Kemp shares his transformative journey in integrating synthetic biology into high school education. Listeners will gain insights into practical applications in the classroom, the establishment of the BioBuilderClub, and the significance of bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world skills.• Introduction to Daniel Kemp and his experience with synthetic biology• Overview of the BioBuilder Professional Development Workshop and its relevance to teaching• Importance of hands-on learning experiences in biology education• Insight into launching the BioBuilderClub at Hampden Hall• Current projects and the evolving role of students in science• The necessity of updating curricula to reflect modern scientific advancements• Advice for teachers interested in incorporating synthetic biology into their teachingLearn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

In this episode of Life-Changing Science, we sit down with Nicolas Rojas Taborda​, a senior at Revere High School. Nico's interests shifted dramatically thanks to his involvement in the BioBuilder Apprenticeship Challenge. Nico describes his discovery of synthetic biology and his team's project idea, the K Detective, an innovative at-home kit for cavity detection. This project not only sharpened his technical prowess with tools like PCR and gel electrophoresis but also positioned him to succeed in his Boston University STEM pathway internship building logic gates for CAR-T cells, and as a leader of his high school's iGEM team. Nico shares his future aspirations in the realm of synthetic biology and education. Considering roles as a mentor or teacher with BioBuilder, he reflects on the fulfilling nature of educational roles. Moreover, he describes the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship application process, sharing tips on requesting a standout letter of recommendation and defining a clear career vision. This episode wraps up with his process investigating potential college majors and his dreams to someday launch a biotech company.  Nico emphasizes the foundational impact BioBuilder has had on his journey. This episode is not just an exploration of one student's evolution but a testament to the life-changing possibilities of early scientific engagement.Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Today, the award winning and affable Dr. David Westenberg of the Missouri University of Science and Technology joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss his efforts at microbial outreach from K-12 (and beyond), his fascinating research program, and his experiences teaching microbiology to engineers. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: David Westenberg Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode  A TEDX talk by Dr. Westenberg. An overview of the BioBuilder program. An overview of the iGEM program. Dr. Westenberg's page on the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Biointeractive website. An article about “agar art” with microbes, featuring Dr. Westenberg. An article about the Woods Hole Microbial Diversity course by Dr. Westerfield. An article that shows Dr. Westernberg's approach to teaching in a fun and accessible manner. Dr. Westenberg's faculty website. Dr. Westeinberg's laboratory group website Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

In this episode of Life-Changing Science, we sit down with Nathan Kirokwa, a rising senior at Pioneer Charter School of Science, who guides us through his journey from a curious child captivated by the human body's healing magic to a dedicated bioengineer. Nathan recounts how his mother's insights and his own early experiments fueled his passion for science. He also shares how his interests evolved from a broad fascination with medicine to a focused pursuit of bioengineering through problem-solving, eventually leading him to the BioBuilder Summer Research Program and a transformative internship at a biotech startup, Conduit.Nathan describes how a seemingly random email ignited his ambition in synthetic biology, offering hands-on lab experiences and an unforgettable project on creating a ketamine-detecting yeast. Nathan also shares a serendipitous networking story that led him to join Conduit, a small biotech startup, underscoring the importance of community and seizing opportunities. His multiple interests make this episode a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the intersection of science, opportunity, and personal growth.Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

In this wide-ranging episode of Clinical Lab Chat, CLP's director of business intelligence, Chris Wolski, discusses the hows and whys of keeping kids engaged in science with Natalie Kuldell, executive director of BioBuilder (biobuilder.org), a 501c3 non-profit designed to inspire kids and help teachers and professionals keep students interested in science in school and beyond. Kuldell, who was named as a STEM trailblazer in 2020, is also a member of the MIT faculty. Among the topics discussed in this episode:How to foster and sustain a love of science throughout a kid's educational journeyHow important parents, teachers, and professionals are to sustaining scientific interestHow laboratorians can directly influence students to pursue a laboratory or allied careerThe benefits to society as a whole having an scientifically knowledgeable citizenry

Ever wondered how a love for reading can shape your career path? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Vanessa Murati, an ambitious junior at Pioneer Charter High School of Science. Vanessa's childhood obsession with character development led her to explore human behavior and neuroscience, seamlessly blending her passion for both STEM and the humanities. She shares the vital lab skills she picked up through the BioTechBuilder curriculum and how her Albanian parents' appreciation for the humanities has guided her academic journey.In this episode, Vanessa opens up about her college and career aspirations, including her fascination with Boston University and her plans to double major in biology and psychology. Hear about her experiences attending an occupational health screening, her potential collaboration with Ingenius Prep, and how BioBuilder has honed her networking prowess. Vanessa also unveils her exciting new venture—a podcast called "Standing on Business"—which reflects her love for podcasts and media. Get ready to be inspired by Vanessa's journey and her future ambitions in the world of science.Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Natalie Kuldell - Founder & Executive Director - BioBuilder: Educating a Future-Ready Workforce. This is episode 682 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Dr. Natalie Kuldell, founder and executive director of BioBuilder, which is a nonprofit helping to educate a future-ready workforce that will solve some of the world's greatest challenges by bringing tomorrow's science into today's classrooms.  Recognized in 2020 as a STEM Trailblazer by the Million Women Mentors and with the HA Rey Curiosity Award, Natalie is a highly regarded educator and curriculum developer who has taught for more than a dozen years in the Department of Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She studied Chemistry as an undergraduate at Cornell, completed her doctoral and postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School, and taught at Wellesley College before joining the faculty at MIT in 2003. Our focus is on BioBuilder and creating STEM career pathways.  So much to learn and think about. Remember to share with your friends, colleagues, peers, family, and everyone else. Before you go... You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee. This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.  Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you! You are AWESOME! Thanks so much! Connect & Learn More: https://biobuilder.org/ https://biobuilder.org/biobuilder-podcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/biobuilder-educational-foundation/ https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder https://twitter.com/SystemsSally https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/ Length - 34:25

Meet Hana Shinzawa, a beacon of inspiration from the BioBuilderClub who joins us to recount her experience as she discovered her passion to do and communicate science. Her AP Bio class captured her imagination leading her to relaunch the BioBuilderClub at her school. In this podcast she reviews her experience embarking on a project that converts scientific curiosity to a real-world application, culminating in the design of a yeast-based sensor for Salmonella detection.Hana's voice carries the pride of presenting her research to a discerning audience, reflecting the maturity and readiness for her future academic endeavors at MIT. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of problem-based learning, the fusion of biology and engineering, and the importance of making the complex comprehensible. If you're intrigued by the interplay of science, communication, and writing, you won't want to miss the insights Hana brings to the table.Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Are you ready to have your mind expanded by the ingenuity of STEM education? Prepare to be inspired as Zeeshan talks with the dynamic Billy Carrier from Volunteer High School, a public school located in Church Hill, TN serving about 1000 students in grades 9-12.  There Billy is trailblazing the "BioSTEM" program. This isn't your average biology class; it's a revolutionary approach that combines the intricacies of freshman biology with career exploration through hands-on technical training. His class gives students a chance to both enhance their understanding of the living world and also get equipped with the skills that can jumpstart their careers in laboratory sciences. Billy's BioSTEM curriculum is evolving to meet educational standards without sacrificing the depth of scientific understanding and is expanding to more schools in East Tennessee. As if merging biology and skills-training wasn't innovative enough, Billy also gives an inside look at how BioBuilder and the STREAMWORKS Robot Drone League recently paired up to offer another novel and engaging learning experience. Picture students competing on an agricultural playing field in a challenge that combines biology, robots, and drones. This episode is a fusion of exploration, competition, and real-world application, all through the lens of a teacher who's at the forefront of molding the scientific minds of tomorrow.Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Ever wondered how a high school fascination can ignite a lifelong passion for science and medicine? Zeeshan's conversation with Susana Donkor explores her early days, marked by influential encounters and pivotal experiences, to her current cutting-edge work at Aurion Biotech. Susana shares her journey with heartfelt candor, reflecting on the profound early influence of educational shows and the empowering story of Ben Carson's "Gifted Hands," which sowed the seeds for her aspirations in neuroscience. The dialogue uncovers the power of mentorship and educational programs like BioBuilder and H-Prep, illustrating how they shape the futures of students from diverse backgrounds, and highlighting Susana's transformative experience with BioBuilder that helped chart her course into the world of science.As we celebrate the season finale, we unveil the layers of Susana's academic and professional evolution, from the BioBuilder apprenticeship's impact on her educational trajectory to her 'big girl' science job and her impressive ascent to an associate scientist role at Aurion Biotech. Susana's narrative is one of dedication and curiosity, as she discusses the transition from academia to industry and the invaluable lessons of accountability and learning from mistakes. Her current adventures include pioneering work on cell line production and clinical trials for corneal endothelial diseases, showcasing not only her remarkable achievements but also serving as an inspiration for the scientists of tomorrow. Join us for an episode that not only celebrates past accomplishments but also shines a light on the boundless opportunities awaiting those with a passion for science.Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Ever wondered how high school curiosity can evolve into a successful career in biotechnology? In this podcast, our guest Tara Peterson shares her unique story of how her high school apprenticeship program at BioBuilder shaped her career. Listen as she reveals the differences between her high school classroom and the BioBuilder program, and the program played a crucial role in kick-starting her journey into a college STEM major and now a career in science.Tara reveals how her work with BioBuilder, including a poster presentation, paved the way for an internship at LabCentral, opening up even more exciting opportunities in her career. Tara majored in neuroscience systems and behavior Temple University, but found her first job depended on her knowledge, confidence, and love for the techniques she learned at BioBuilder. In our final discussions, Tara provides a detailed look into her experiences in synthetic biology and lab operations at LabCentral. She shares her insights about the projects she worked on, and how her journey from high school to college has shaped her career at Novartis. Tara's story is an inspiration for young scientists, demonstrating how the right experiences can build confidence and shape a successful career in biotechnology.Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Get ready to be inspired by our extraordinary guest, Yesenia Collins. A pivotal figure in her school's BioBuilderClub, Yesenia takes us along on her captivating journey, from her initial introduction to synthetic biology to her innovative projects at Tyngsborough High School. Can you imagine the thrill of manipulating organisms to produce novel scents or even creating a world of vibrant microbial colors? Yesenia did just that in the Smell Lab and What a Colorful World Lab. Yet, it wasn't all smooth sailing - grappling with complex concepts like PCR and understanding plasmids posed significant challenges. But with unrelenting determination, she not only persevered with her first project but also embraced an additional venture.But what can this world of synthetic biology mean for career paths? For Yesenia, it's everything! Our discussion uncovers the profound influence the BioBuilder program has had on her future aspirations. Driven to major in biochemistry and pursue a career in pharmaceutical research, Yesenia credits much of her ambition to the experiences and knowledge gained through BioBuilder. And as a student ambassador for the program, she's not stopping there. Listen in as she shares her exciting plans for the upcoming year at Georgia Tech. So, buckle up and join us on this enlightening expedition through the world of synthetic biology, led by one of this field's promising young talents.Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Imagine transforming high school biology education by integrating synthetic biology into the curriculum, igniting students' passion for learning and preparing them for future success. How do you make this possible? This BioBuilder podcast focuses on two extraordinary biology teachers, Amanda Blackburn and Evie Lafollette, who share their inspiring journey of bringing synthetic biology to Dobbins Bennett High School in Tennessee.Amanda and Evie discuss their BioBuilder training experience in Boston where they discovered this synbio curriculum and its incredible opportunities for their students. From developing unique passions to exploring groundbreaking fields like organism engineering, this episode explores how the BioBuilder curriculum prepares students for AP Capstone research, teaching them independence and essential life skills. We also delve into the exciting evolution of genetic engineering, from Gregor Mendel's discoveries to today's synthetic biology advancements.In this captivating conversation, Amanda and Evie share how the BioBuilder curriculum fosters resilience and critical thinking in their students. Learn how they encourage students with diverse learning abilities to pursue their interests, develop their projects, and adapt to unexpected changes. Discover the cutting-edge technology they use, such as CRISPR, to better understand the engineering process and position their students for future achievements. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about education and unlocking the potential of the next generation.Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here

Rachael Smyers was part of the 2019 BioBuilder High School Apprenticeship Challenge that was held at LabCentral. The program's “learning by doing” approach attracted her to it, especially since she got what she felt was a late start in the Vocational Technical Program at Medford High School. Starting there in her junior year, she spent mornings taking 3 or 4 traditional high school classes (English, History…) and the afternoons in Biotech Shop, learning lab skills like pipetting, prepping buffers, running gels, and culturing mouse cells. In this interview Rachael talks about how the BioBuilder Apprenticeship program let her connect with students she would not have otherwise met, helped her practice technical skills, and taught her more about the science behind laboratory techniques. The program let her, “see the science world outside of the classroom while still inside the classroom.” The Apprenticeship program led directly to a summer internship with one of BioBuilder's industry partners, Indigo Ag, and thanks to a successful summer there, Rachael continued as year 'round employee, working  on agricultural biotechnology through her two years at Bunker Hill Community College and her Junior year at University of Massachusetts – Lowell.

In this episode of Grow Everything, Karl and Erum are joined by Natalie Kuldell to delve into the exciting world of bio companies and the importance of bridging the gap between the present and future. As the founders of BioBuilder, Natalie shares her expertise on how to inspire the next generation to love life science, and how plasmids can make working with DNA much easier. The discussion also touches on the fascinating topic of authentic research experiences that can spark interest in science and engineering. Additionally, they explore how high school graduates can be included in the bio processing industry without needing a PhD, and the factory floor-oriented jobs available. With insightful musings on different learning models, such as gym memberships and libraries, this episode concludes with the pressing need to prioritize high school biology education. Tune in for an engaging conversation on the future of bio companies and how to inspire young people!  Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space.  Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating? Learn more here. Topics Covered:  00:00:00 The Future Of Companies And The Popularity Of Cannabis  00:04:32 NYC: Hub For Finance And Biotech  00:07:51 From Uni To Kids: Teaching Synthetic Biology  00:09:35 The Power Of Curiosity: Exploring The World  00:11:21 Importance Of Bio Education In High Schools  00:12:45 Common Vocabulary In Bio Education  00:19:39 Mosquito Repellent Synthesized From Plasmids  00:21:06 Resilience And Curiosity In School Programs  00:23:18 Global Accessibility, Local Solutions In Biology  00:26:59 Community College And Work Training In Bio Jobs  00:28:39 Teach Bioinformatics To Address Workforce Shortage  00:31:23 Ideal Lab: Hands-on, Accessible Science Museum Exhibit  00:35:57 The Exciting Future Of Biotech And Synthetic Biology  00:39:31 Cautionary Tale: Bringing Back Woolly Mammoths  00:41:47 Data Gap In High School Science Education  00:44:04 Interview With Natalie And Lab Visit Invite  00:46:27 Idea Accelerator For Biology Product Development  Episode Links:  Natalie Kuldell on LinkedIn  BioBuilder Jurassic Park: A Novel GinkGo BioWorks  Call or Text the Grow Everything Hotline:  +1 804-505-5553 Have a question or comment? Message us here: Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / GrowEverything website Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Support here: Patreon Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/messaginglab/message

Lyle Musesengwa is a high school sophomore at Dobyns-Bennet HS, a rural school in Kingsport, TN, near the Appalachian Mountains. His school has strong STEM offerings, including the MATE Underwater Robotics competition, as well as nationally recognized Marching Band program. Lyle was born in Cape Town, South Africa and came to the US as a 4 year old. In this podcast Lyle notes that he can't remember a time he wasn't asking questions. His interest in synthetic biology began in 5th grade – even though he didn't know that's what it was called, when he learned about how animals adapt to their environment and wondered how to increase the efficiency of that process. His teacher pointed that techniques exist to change the biology of systems, and he know it was something he wanted to pursue.Introduced to BioBuilder when it was added to biology curriculum in 9th grade, Lyle was especially taken with the BioBuilder Idea Accelerator. The program has an impact for at least two reasons. First is because it was the first time he got to choose an issue to study based on what mattered to him – in his case he chose climate change and tried to design an organism that can reduce greenhouse gases. He and his team are still working on this project a year later, presenting their project idea at Bioeconomy Symposium at ETSU in October 2022 to local business and entrepreneurs and got feedback.  The second impact he sees from BioBuilder is how the program made him realize that when he is working inside in a laboratory, it is to solve a problem that exists outside the lab in the world. To further this interest of his, he has sent a “strongly worded email” to his school principals, lobbying them to bring a BioBuilderClub to Dobyns-Bennett High School. They are working on starting for next year. 

Jacob Lei was a rising Junior in High School when he participated in one of BioBuilder's online programs in the summer of 2020, waking up at 5AM Pacific time to participate synchronously three times a week for a month. BioBuilder's online program introduced Jacob to the idea that biology and engineering could be combined to help people, using genetic parts that could be reconnected to address global issues. His biodesign team focused on medical treatments with a design that addressed insulin regulation in Type I diabetes, incorporating a model for insulin fluctuations in R. Jacob furthered his interest in synthetic biology through a program at UCSD the following summer -- taught by Carlos Vera (an amazing BioBuilder teacher himself!). And now Jacob attends Rice University in Texas where he is studying bioengineering, and will be joining Jeff Tabor's lab to carry out an undergraduate research project, working on novel two component signaling pathways. He is also sharing his excitement for science through a local outreach program called Kids Are Scientists Too, in which Jacob spends time doing fun science demonstrations with young students near Rice University.

In this interview, Presley notes how they haven't seen a single program or organization that is similar to BioBuilder. Presley would know, given the range of programs that they have engaged in.Presley is currently an 11th grade student at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School in Cambridge, MA. The first BioBuilder experience for Presley came as an 8th grader through an exploratory program BioBuilder ran in the Learning Lab @ LabCentral. After a 9th grade “zoom only” year that included a virtual biology class, Presley joined BioBuilder's High School Apprenticeship Challenge as a 10th grader. This was the program that gave them lots of hands-on lab training and reinforced their interest in molecular biology. Their Apprenticeship biodesign project was an at-home HIV test. Though Presley came into the Apprenticeship thinking they would pursue a political science in college, the BioBuilder experience shifted their ambitions to study biochemistry in college.Their experience as an Apprentice has led to additional professional experiences during high school, notably a three week summer internship at Tufts Medical Center in a research lab studying cholera. This year, Presley kicked off the all-new BioBuilder Student Ambassador program, presenting BioBuilder's opportunities to other students at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School and recording a lab training video for this year's BioBuilderClub teams. 

Jo has been a biology teacher for 26 years and a BioBuilder from the very start, having attended the very first Professional Development workshop at MIT in 2011. Since then, she has integrated BioBuilder into her classroom (Newton North and Westborough High Schools in MA), supporting a BioBuilderClub that was led by Viggy (Season 1 Episode 6), and leading teacher professional development workshops. In this conversation she digs into what it takes to run BioBuilder labs and programs, as well as how evolution of the field has made the content easier to teach and more relevant to everyone.  Over the past decade, she has found that teaching BioBuilder to students and teachers has gotten easier thanks to the success of the field. She regularly teaches how synthetic biology enables the production of Vanillin from yeast rather than plants and how Ginkgo Bioworks can resurrect the scent of an extinct flower.  These examples, as well as how students rely on "their best friends: Google, Siri, and Alexa," have made teaching BioBuilder easier and easier. She also recalls how the first BioBuilder workshop required 5 days of in person learning, and how it transitioned to 3 days of in person learning, and how now - post COVID - BioBuilder teachers are trained in a hybrid model of synchronous and asynchronous learning to reach educators everywhere. The very last minute of the interview includes Jo's heartfelt description of the impact BioBuilder has had on her own career.

Veni Dole is currently studying Chemical Engineering at Columbia University, but as a high school student she participated in BioBuilder's BioBuilderClub at Andover High School. The team project she worked on addressed plastic bottles that pollute the ocean. Their design used salt as a trigger for bacterial production of pETase, allowing microbes under the bottle's label to dissolve the plastic. The work not led her to research what has become a hot topic in biotechnology but also to speak with many leaders in the field, who offered ideas and reagents in support of the project. The BioBuilderClub idea was entered in the CleanTech competition, where it made the list of finalists, and was published in BioTreks, a peer-reviewed journal for high school synthetic biologists. Veni credits BioBuilder for introducing her to synthetic biology, for the helpful framework that enabled her imagined solution to take shape, and for stimulating her interest in entrepreneurship. Though high school is already a few years in the rear view mirror, Veni vividly remembers presenting her team's project to the startup companies at LabCentral in Cambridge, MA as part of the BioBuilderClub Final Assembly. 

Geneva Fischer, a rising sophomore at Northeastern University in Boston, has been part of the BioBuilder community since high school. As part of her work in the biotechnology program at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, she saw her classmates participate in the BioBuilderClub, joined an intensive workshop at the BioBuilder Learning Lab @LabCentral, and participated in the online Idea Accelerator during the COVID shut-down of in person classes. Most recently she has worked as an intern in the BioBuilder Learning Lab @Ginkgo where she researched the strain instability of a biomanufacturing strain, improved the teaching protocols, and supported the wide array of students who came to the lab as workshop participants. She credits BioBuilder for advancing her skills and interests, putting her at ease in many advanced settings like college labs and lab-based teaching of others. 

Dave Westenberg, a Professor of Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science & Technology, is widely known as a wonderful microbiologist, a great communicator and an exceptionally dedicated teacher. His students, be they undergraduates, high school teachers or public audiences, invariably feel empowered as scientists because Dave makes room for student curiosity, collaboration, and learning from mistakes. Dave attended one of BioBuilder's earliest professional development workshops and immediately saw how the curriculum could create the kind of educational experiences he wanted for his students. His enthusiasm led him to attended BioBuilder's advanced training program. He has gone on to teach professional development workshops including some in NYC @ Rockefeller with Lindsey L'Ecuyer. He regularly leads workshops in pedagogy and synthetic biology through M S&T and through the American Society for Microbiology.

Rebekah Ravgiala is an award-winning biotechnology teacher at Tyngsborough High School in Massachusetts. She attended the first BioBuilder teacher professional workshop at MIT in 2011 and was hooked. Her excitement about synthetic biology motivated her to lead her school's iGEM/BioBuilderClub teams year after year. In 2012, Rebekah registered and trained as an advanced BioBuilder instructor, learning how to teach other teachers the BioBuilder curriculum. Since then she has co-taught summer workshops for teachers in Cambridge, Mexico, and online. She serves on the BioBuilder Board of Directors, leading the pivot to online programs during the 2020 and 2021 pandemic shutdown and supporting new BioBuilder teachers after their professional development experiences.In this podcast, Rebekah shares her BioBuilder experiences and how "biotech with a purpose" helped her get unstuck as a teacher, bringing ambitious new educational goals in reach. She also describes how the BioBuilderClub supported her students through the challenging year of online learning.

Oscar is a rising junior at University of Massachusetts at Lowell, studying biology. His interest in biotechnology was sparked by a high school class and teacher at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. He applied and was accepted to the BioBuilder's High School Apprenticeship Challenge in 2019, held that year at LabCentral in Cambridge. His biodesign project addressed high concentrations of lead in drinking water. At the poster session presentation of his project, Oscar met a researcher at Indigo Ag, a biotech company that uses microbiology and machine learning to improve crop yield and health. Oscar was hired at Indigo Ag as a summer intern. Oscar remarked on how his BioBuilder lab skills helped him in the Indigo Ag lab as an intern and at college as a biology major. 

Chris Kuffner has been a longtime BioBuilder -- starting in high school at Acton-Boxborough  High School in Massachusetts almost a decade ago, and now he serves as a BioBuilderClub mentor and workshop instructor. He pursued his early interest in synthetic biology at University of Maryland, where he participated in the hardware track of iGEM. His team engineered a -80 freezer that could be built from component parts that cost less than 10% of the commercial versions of the lab equipment. Chris is now at Boston University pursuing his PhD in BioEngineering. His thesis work is exploring ways to visualize RNA in real time inside living cells. 

Jenny is a creative whose work designing the first BioBuilder website influenced her career path from biomedical engineer to successful luxury handbag maker, marketer, and woman-led business owner. 

Tian Shi is a senior at Georgetown University who came to BioBuilder's Learning Lab as a high school student and designed a biotechnology that she is now commercializing. She has also written a book on entrepreneurship and credits her work with BioBuilder for helping her see herself as an agent of change. 

Angela Girodier is a senior undergraduate student at Emmanuel College, majoring in biology and secondary education. She is an alumna of the BioBuilder Apprenticeship Program.In this podcast, she describes how a science scavenger hunt in 8th grade and a grant proposal she wrote for her high school biotech program put her a path to a science career. These experiences revealed the fun, creative, and useful parts of science, and led her to find a way in. Her high school teacher encouraged her to apply to BioBuilder's Apprenticeship Program, which she did in 2017.The BioBuilder Apprenticeship taught her lab math and techniques which she describes as vital to her success in college -- especially when she needed to take her lab remotely. She also recalls how the Apprenticeship's emphasis on teamwork and networking helped her build her resume and make the most of her summer internships at MassBiologics and at Merck. Looking ahead, Angela wants to work with kids of diverse backgrounds in low income communities, helping to bring more diversity into the STEM industry.In November 2021, Angela spoke at BioBuilder's 10th anniversary celebration and the opening of BioBuilder's new Learning Lab in Boston's Seaport. A video of  her inspirational talk is linked here

Zeeshan Siddiqui, BioBuilder's podcast host, notes: A particular topic of conversation I found really insightful was hearing about BioBuilder's tried and tested model over the past 10 years, where you start a curriculum in a school district and an area, you then start the Clubs in that area. Then you have cohorts that go through all the programming and you develop your teacher base there. But at the same time, you're talking to the region about what the bio-economy can bring to them. And this is how you get everyone involved, local governments and local businesses, local higher educational institutes, and hearing about this model and BioBuilder's goals was really inspirational and insightful. I believe this episode will be of great interest to everyone involved with BioBuilder at all levels, as well as higher educational institutions, stakeholders, governments, interested in learning more about the strategy that BioBuilder applied to become so successful over the past decade and realizing how critical BioBuilder is in terms of building and scaling up the future of biotech education. Not only in the states, but worldwide, 

Karen is a legal and healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and business development leader. She is currently the Deputy Director at the Office of Behavioral Health at MassHealth.Karen was one of the very first members on the BioBuilder Board of Directors. She helped shepherd the nonprofit from its earliest days, oversaw significant expansion of the Board, and helped BioBuilder keep its content freely accessible while establishing new partnerships and collaborations. 

Amin Hajimorad earned his B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University, Ames, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. Amin is currently an associate professor at California State University, Chico.He first got involved with BioBuilder back in 2010, where he worked on developing lab content and synthetic biology workshops for undergraduate students to get exposed to the general aspects of synthetic biology. In today's episode, we discuss the influence of BioBuilder on his teaching now, and how the BioBuilder curriculum works with the various students he's taught.

The bioeconomy--the growing economy built with biology--may sound unwelcoming if you don't have a biology degree. The beauty of the bioeconomy is that we are all needed to create a sustainable future, from artists to marketers to engineers, and especially entrepreneurs. But how do we welcome everyone and inspire the next generation? In a special episode, Jaye Goldstein of Petri and Natalie Kuldell of BioBuilder share their insights on creating community, supporting women and underrepresented genders, and how we can inspire the next generation on their journey from classroom to founder.

Kevin Fuentes is a first generation Salvadoran-American now studying chemical engineering and biochemistry at Tufts University. He discovered BioBuilder when Dr. Kuldell gave a presentation to one of his science classes. He completed the Apprenticeship Challenge in the spring of 2019 and did his internship at BioBuilder during the summer, testing the synthetic biology lab kits that BioBuilder provides to schools.

Viggy just completed his senior year at Westborough High School, in Westborough, a small town in central Massachusetts. He was first truly exposed to synthetic biology through BioBuilder's bacterial transformation lab, "What a Colorful World." From there, he partnered with his high school biology teacher to bring the BioBuilderClub to Westborough High School. Since then, Viggy has also served as a near-peer TA for BioBuilder's summer programs, and this summer will work with them as a junior instructor, as he prepares to start his undergrad program in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Natalie Kuldell, Executive Director & founder, BioBuilder Educational Foundation, interviewed by Trond Arne Undheim, futurist, investor, and author. In this conversation, we talk about synthetic biology for all, bringing engineering into life science and about deep science in classrooms. We discuss disruptive forces (tech, regulation, business models, social dynamics). We discuss skills shortage initiatives, biomanufacturing jobs, business models, exciting startups such as Ginkgo Bioworks and Asimov. She explains Biobuilder.org's pivot to online during COVID-19, scaling the efforts to the rust belt, community science, and community labs such as Genspace, BosLabs, BioCurious, Biogen Community Lab, Bricobio, and (iGEM) Foundation Jamboree. Finally, we discuss next decade's self-taught scientists and agri-bio revolution in rust belt farming communities. Having listened to this episode, check out BioBuilder Educational Foundation as well as Natalie Kuldell's online profile: BioBuilder Educational Foundation (@SystemsSally):  Natalie Kuldell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-kuldell-9947408/ My takeaway is that synthetic biology must become a skillset of every young person. They need it to understand the world they will grow up in. It will increasingly become a life skill, perhaps even a survival skill depending on how the world goes. "Citizen science is more than looking at stars, and looking at birds", says Natalie. For sure. Deep science is cool and it needs to be cool for a while. That much is certain. Thanks for listening. If you liked the show, subscribe at Futurized.org or in your preferred podcast player, and rate us with five stars. If you like this topic, you may enjoy other episodes of Futurized, such as episode 22 The Future of Engineering Education, episode 36, The Future of Cultured Meat, or episode 81, 2x Community Science -- Cancer Map and COVID-19 Testing in Schools. Futurized—preparing YOU to deal with disruption.

Jude Clapper started teaching synthetic bio at Taipei American School (TAS) in 2013 after attending one of Natalie Kuldell's Biobuilder workshops at MIT. He is now the chair of Scientific Research at the school, as well as an advisor for their iGEM team - which has won three high school grand prizes and countless nominations, as well as inspiring hundreds of kids to pursue scientific research.

Katie Hart is an assistant professor at Williams College and a member of the BioBuilder educational foundation board. Katie has spent several years running BioBuilder professional development workshops  at UC Berkeley for teachers interested in incorporating the BB curriculum into their classrooms. She is also one of the authors of the amazing BB “Synthetic Bio in the lab” textbook.

Julie Legault is designer-entrepreneur from the city of Montreal. She is also the co-founder of Amino Labs, an MIT spinout that builds hardware and synthetic biology products making genetic engineering accessible to children and non-scientists. Join us for this very exciting episode as Julie walks us through her transition from designer to synthetic biologist, the key role BioBuilder played in this new career path, the birth of Amino Labs, as well as reflections on the journey so far.Link to the 100k BioEngineers in 100 Days ChallengeKeywordsDesign-entrepreneur, Maker movement, Synthetic biology, Amino Labs, MIT media lab, DNA playground, Education, Open source

Dr. Natalie Kuldell, director of BioBuilder and affiliate of MIT's Department of Biological Engineering, answers questions about biological engineering and its applications. Learn about manipulating DNA to produce new drugs, inserting genes into bacteria to produce biofuels, and much more.

Tom Martinez is an AP Biology and Biotechnology teacher at Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Illinois. Throughout his long career, Tom has worked to bring a wide variety of research opportunities anc connections to his students. This included working with the BioBuilder synthetic biology curriculum, working with the Barcoding Life’s Matrix program, and presenting his work with students on bioprospecting anticancer drugs from marine animals in England and Sweden. Tom has also lead a BioBuilder after school club where students have traveled to and presented their projects at the BioBuilder Club Summit in Cambridge Mass. This upcoming summer Tom will be leading a workshop on synthetic biology at the Baxter Center Science Education from July 31 - August 2, 2018 at the Northwestern University, Evanston Campus.

Brandon Boswell is a science teacher at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Florida. Brandon has taught a wide variety of science classes throughout his career including AP Biology, Honors Chemistry, and Physics. Brandon is a very active advocate for students learning and is active in many professional development activities. At his school, Brandon has served as coach the Science Bowl Team, InvenTeam, and BioBuilder Club. His PD participation has included working with the Center for Precollegiate Education and Training at the University of Florida, where he developed curriculum modules in on Pathogens in 2008 and Biotechnology in 2011. In 2017 he also attended the NABT/BSCS AP Biology Teacher Academy in Florida and a BioBuilder summer teacher workshop.

Sherry Annee teaches Honors Biotechnology at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis. She was the recipient of the 2001 Milken National Educator Award, 2005 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Indiana, and 2009 Butler University Distinguished Alumni Award.  Within the state of Indiana, Sherry is a past President of both the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc., and the Indiana Association of Biology Teachers. As a highly active teaching professional, she attended the 2011 and 2012 BioBuilder Workshops at MIT and co-hosted a 2012 BioBuilder workshop at Purdue University.  Sherry is a past member of the BioBuilder Foundation Advisory Board.  She is also a Teacher Ambassador for HHMI BioInteractive.  Sherry earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences and Biology/Chemistry Secondary Education from Purdue University and a M.S. in Effective Teaching from Butler University.

Andrew Hessel, a leader in synthetic biology, talks about the scope of the role synthetic biology will have in the future and the incredible power of customized life. He also makes many comparisons between synthetic biology, the tech world, and education. Andrew Hessel website: http://andrewhessel.com/ Autodesk Bio: https://www.autodeskresearch.com/people/andrew-hessel twitter: @andrewhessel email: andrew.hessel@autodesk.com bionano: http://bionano.autodesk.com/ bioBuilder book: http://a.co/1witvVL igem: igem.org QUAKEBOOKS [Sponsor] http://quakebooks.net/

Jo-Anne Purdy is a Biology teacher at Westborough High School in Westborough Massachusetts. She has been a public school teacher for 19 years and currently teaches biology, though she has taught a variety of courses throughout her career including AP Biology. In Westborough, Jo-Anne was integral in bringing in over $40,000 in grant money to update the biotech equipment of the high school. Over the past 6 years, Jo-Anne has been actively involved in the BioBuilder community. She has written curriculum and led professional development helping to integrate Synthetic Biology into high schools. Jo-Anne holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in biological sciences.

In Episode 3, I chat with Rebekah Ravgiala, Biology and AP Biology at Tyngsborough High School. She has been actively involved in the BioBuilder community since 2011. BioBuilder works to make Synthetic Biology accessible to high school and middle school students. Rebekah led a high school team to the iGEM competition in 2012 and was a pioneering leader of the BioBuilder BioDesign Club for high school students. She has been awarded the ASBMB Fostering K12/University Partnership Grant in 2014 and the AMGEN Excellence in Science Teaching Award in 2013. Rebekah has presented her hands-on teaching methods at many conferences and professional workshops as well as publishing in journals such as The Journal of Chemical Education. Rebekah is graduate of Saint Anselm College with a degree in Biology. She earned a doctoral degree in Mathematics and Science Education in 2003 from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

Guest lecturer Natalie Kuldell, a research associate in the MIT Department of Biological Engineering, shares her experience creating BioBuilder.org, an educational resource and animated video series.