For Immediate Release:   July 6, 2011

BPS Student Named Winner in
International Biotechnology Competition

            VIERA, FLORIDA – Jenna Pappalardo, recent Satellite High School (SHS) graduate, has been named a winner in the U.S. National BioGENEius Challenge and placed fourth in the International BioGENEius Challenge, the most prestigious high school science competition in the world for original research in biotechnology.

            The International BioGENEius Challenge is organized by the Biotechnology Institute, the national organization dedicated to biotechnology education. The International BioGENEius Challenge was held June 27 at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) International Convention in Washington, D.C. The BIO International Convention is the largest worldwide event for the biotechnology industry and attracts the biggest names in biotech, offers key networking and partnering opportunities and provides insight on the major trends influencing the industry.

            SHS principal, Mark Elliott said, “I am very proud of Jenna. She is an outstanding student and researcher. In addition, she was a student leader, active in student government and president of several clubs, including Amnesty International and the Jefferson Society for Community Service.  I am confident that she will be very successful in her future endeavors and will always represent the best spirit of Satellite High School.

            Pappalardo’s project, entitled “Meddling with RGS17” seeks to understand the proliferative effects of gene RGS17 in lung cancer through a study of its utilized cellular pathways in hopes of providing insight into the abnormalities of lung cancer growth.

            Projects were evaluated by a panel of judges which included scientists, researchers and educators in the biotechnology industry on the merit of the research and poster display as well as student responses to questions that tested scientific knowledge.

            Pappalardo was the only Florida student to compete in the U.S. National BioGENEius  Challenge.  She secured this spot through the local Florida BioGENEius Challenge, organized by BioFlorida and the Biotechnology Institute.  Currently, she is pursuing a dual major at UCF in Microbiology and Biotechnology. She also will serve as a research assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

            "Jenna is a dedicated and talented young scientist,” reports Ginger Davis, district science resource teacher. “She has taken full advantage of the many opportunities offered by our Science Research program, and has gone beyond all expectations in her pursuit of knowledge. Her desire to put her scientific knowledge to work helping others is commendable."

            For more questions about the competition, contact Tara Coleman of BioFlorida, Inc. at 561-653-3839. Questions about Pappalardo may be directed to Christine Davis at 321-633-1000 ext. 796.

 

-BPS-