MdBio Foundation Names Centennial High School Junior as Maryland BioGENEius Finalist

MdBio Foundation named Felicia Wang, an Ellicott City resident and junior at Centennial High School in Howard County, the winner of the 2015 Maryland BioGENEius Challenge, the premier competition for high school students that recognizes outstanding research in biotechnology. As the Maryland BioGENEius finalist, Wang will attend the 2015 BIO International Convention in Philadelphia, the industry’s trade conference, where she will engage with leading companies, scientists and innovators currently transforming the scientific landscape in order to gain invaluable insights into an industry making significant contributions to the world.

“It’s always inspirational to see the incredible talent that is coming out of Maryland schools. These students represent the best and brightest in this arena, ” said Brian Gaines, CEO of the MdBio Foundation, Inc. “This year's competition was no different. Our judges had a difficult time choosing from a high-quality set of submissions.”

Wang was selected as the Maryland winner based on her project, “A 3-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Vestibular Labyrinth,” which was designed to find a solution for those who suffer vestibular dysfunction, which effects parts of the inner ear and brain and results in problems with balance. Wang mapped the vestibular labyrinth to create a 3-D model that was anatomically and proportionally accurate. The model is intended to offer a foundation for further research and development into building a fully functioning vestibular prosthesis.

Runners up in the Maryland contest included, in second place, Kang Wook Chung, a sophomore at the Gilman School in Baltimore, for “Development of Highly Sensitive Biosensor for the Early Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer,” and Evan Whitehouse, a senior at Poolesville High School in Montgomery County, took third place for his project, “Investigating the Intrinsic Efficacy of Dopamine D1 Receptor Ligands for Functional Selectivity.” Both Chung and Whitehouse will have the opportunity to present their projects in the next round of competition in Philadelphia.

“Our mission is to give these student innovators an exciting and engaging environment 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 and industry leaders together to encourage the next generation of biotechnology innovators.”

Three first place winners in the categories of healthcare, sustainability and the environment will be named during a luncheon at the 2015 BIO International Convention, featuring Tom Brokaw. The winners will receive a $7,500 cash prize.

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

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.

About MdBio Foundation

MdBio Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization that provides innovative, effective, and experiential STEM education opportunities with a focus on bioscience. The Foundation’s interdisciplinary approach uses science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to explore real-world, problem-centric curriculum that bridges school, community, health, and business. MdBio Foundation’s flagship education program MdBioLab, a mobile laboratory for high schools, has provided quality educational experiences to more than 110,000 students throughout the state of Maryland since its launch in 2003. The Foundation also operates other celebrated STEM education programs such as the Young Science Explorers Program for middle school students, the Maryland BioGENEius Award, and ATLAS: Advancing Tomorrow’s Leaders + STEM college and career symposia. For more information, visit www.mdbiofoundation.org.

About the Tech Council of Maryland, Inc.

The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) is the largest technology trade group serving the advanced technology and biotechnology communities of Maryland. TCM’s mission is to advocate for the interests of the technology community, further the role of technology in the Maryland economy, and nurture an environment where technology companies can collaborate, grow and succeed. For more information, visit www.techcouncilmd.com.

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