Henry Ford CC Sets Biotech Day
Henry Ford Community College's Biotechnology Day will be held Friday Nov. 19, providing college, high school students, administrators and faculty members an opportunity to learn about the current and future trends of the biotechnology field from experts and the many career opportunities evolving within the industry.
Imagine a world in which an individual who lost use of a limb due to injury regains function once again. Imagine Christopher Reeve's hope to walk again coming to fruition for those who suffered crippling spinal cord injuries. Ten, 15 years ago these ideas were considered the stuff of science fiction, a view based more on hyper-active imaginations than on reality. But today, we are closer to a reality in which business, industry and educational organizations actively collaborate to research and develop ways for people to benefit from Biotechnology developments.
HFCC is working to show students how important biotechnology is in today's global environment and more specifically how they can play an important role in this burgeoning field. Friday, Nov. 19, 2010, HFCC will host Biotechnology Day, an event designed to bring together cutting-edge companies and organizations, students, faculty and staff for lectures, break-out sessions and discussion around biotechnology subjects.
Some of the confirmed attendees include
* Clair F. Evans, director of Therapeutic Programs for Ichor Medical Systems based in San Diego, Calif. (www.ichorms.com);
* Brandon Good, forensic scientist from the Michigan State Police Biology/DNA Unit;
* William Von Sigler of the University of Toledo www.utoledo.edu/index.html; and
* James Eliason, director of Tech Town's Stem Cell Commercialization Center at Wayne State University in Detroit (http://techtownwsu.org/about/).
A representative from Kelly Scientific Resources, along with other highly regarded professionals, will lead breakout sessions with faculty, staff and students.
Jolie Stepaniak, director of the HFCC Biotechnology Program and a faculty member of Biology at the College, feels that this event is critical in showing students the varied opportunities the biotech fields holds.
"We feel this event has the potential to illuminate opportunities students never considered before when studying the sciences," she said. "Southeast Michigan and indeed the entire state has a wealth of intelligent young people who have a keen interest in science and technology. This event offers them an intimate view of specific careers within the biotech field, which I feel will be of great interest," she added.
According to James Eliason, the Biotechnology Program at HFCC "is very important to the economy of this area. Biotechnology is a key field to help diversify the economy of Michigan so that it is not completely reliant upon a single industry. For this diversification to occur, there has to be a trained workforce ready to take the jobs the biotechnology industry can create."
Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano agrees: "We are committed to ensuring opportunities in the biotechnology field are available for students graduating today and for those graduating years from now. The development and investment in biotechnology and life sciences creates the opportunity for companies to utilize the skills and talents of our young talent, allowing them to build a sustainable future and stay in Michigan."
Biotechnology Day takes place at the HFCC Dearborn Campus in the Administrative Services and Conference Center beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 19. To learn more about this event, please contact Jolie Stepaniak, director of the HFCC Biotechnology Program, at (313) 845-9646, via email at jastepaniak@hfcc.edu, or visit the Biotechnology web site at www.hfcc.edu/biotech.
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