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California Life Sciences Institute Names 2017 Winner of Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Competition
[April 21, 2017]

California Life Sciences Institute Names 2017 Winner of Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Competition


California Life Sciences Institute (CLSI) today named Saint Francis High School, Grade 11, Mythri Ambatipudi of Mountain View as the winner of the 2017 Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge, the premier competition for high school students that recognizes outstanding research and innovation in the biotechnology field. CLSI is the nonprofit partner of theĀ California Life Sciences Association (CLSA), and supports the foundations of innovation - workforce development, STEM education and entrepreneurship - that have made California home to the world's most prominent life sciences ecosystem.

As the Bay Area BioGENEius finalist, Mythri will attend the 2017 BIO International Convention in San Diego, the industry's trade conference, where she will engage with leading companies, scientists and innovators currently transforming the scientific landscape to gain invaluable insights into an industry making significant contributions to the world. While in San Diego, Ms. Ambatipudi will compete against students from the U.S., Canada and Germany in the International BioGENEius Challenge. The projects presented will represent a range of biotechnology topics such as healthcare, agriculture and the environment.

Gaeun Kim, from Stanford University Online High School in Stanford, and Lekha Pillarisetti, from Doughtery Valley High School in San Ramon, took home second and third place, respectively. Sophia Sydir, from Leland High School in San Jose, Dipashreya Sur, from Notre Dame High School in Belmont, and Saurabh Narain, from Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, received Honorable Mentions.

"The BioGENEius Challenge highlights the breakthroughs made when we invest and encourage our younger generations to pursue their ideas. These students are facing the world's greatest problems head on and providing solutions to heal, fed and fuel people and the environment," said Lori Lindburg, President & CEO, California Life Sciences Institute (CLSI). "CLSI is excited to cheer on Mythri in San Diego at the 2017 BIO International Convention as we already know that her research has great potential to help society as well as inspire others to pursue research projects."



For the second year in a row, Amgen in South San Francisco hosted the signature competition. In addition to the judging of student poster presentations, CLSI's Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge included a keynote address by Ms. Daljit Bains, Deputy Director in the Office of Permit Assistance in the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, as well as a Career Panel, lunch with Amgen scientists and a poster viewing and reception with Amgen employees.

"Amgen is delighted to support the California Life Sciences Institute's Amgen Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge. Each year we are amazed with the caliber of these remarkable students, their scientific abilities, intellectual curiosity and boundless determination," said Aarif Khakoo, Site Head and Vice President, Cardiometabolic Discovery Research, Amgen South San Francisco. "It's energizing for our Amgen scientists to interact with the students, and to share in their enthusiasm for science and the excitement of discovery. Congratulations to all of the Challenge participants."


The International BioGENEius Challenge is organized by the Biotechnology Institute. "Our mission is to engage and excite student innovators by creating an environment that allows them to showcase their talents and help accelerate their development as the next generation of scientists. The BioGENEius Challenges encourage students to apply their scientific knowledge to solve some of society's most pressing issues through biotechnology, allowing them to see the tremendous potential they have to make change in the world," said Dr. Lawrence Mahan, President of Biotechnology Institute. "We bring students, mentors and industry leaders together to promote excellence in scientific research from the best and brightest minds in the next generation of biotechnology innovators."

Winners will be announced during the Tuesday, June 20th, keynote at the 2017 BIO International Convention. The winners will receive a $7,500 cash prize.

Follow the BioGENEius Challenge: Throughout the challenge, @BiotechInstitute will be tweeting interviews, photos and engaging with the biotechnology community by using the hashtag #BioGENEius.

About California Life Sciences Institute (CLSI)

California Life Sciences Institute (CLSI) supports the foundations of innovation that have made California home to the world's most prominent life sciences ecosystem. With a focus on the San Francisco Bay Area, CLSI's mission is to maintain California's leadership in life sciences innovation through support of entrepreneurship, education and career development. CLSI serves as the west coast accelerator for CARB-X, the world's largest public-private partnership devoted to combating antimicrobial resistance. CLSI is an affiliate of the California Life Sciences Association (CLSA), which represents California's leading life sciences organizations. The California Life Sciences Institute is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), and was established in 1990 as the BayBio Institute. Learn more at http://califesciencesinstitute.org.

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.


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