Georgia BioEd Institute

Shriners Children’s is making one of the most significant research investments in Georgia’s recent life sciences history.

During today’s Spark Session, Alison Cernich, Ph.D., Director of the Shriners Children’s Research Institute, shared more about the organization’s growing research presence in Atlanta.

The new institute represents an investment of more than $200 million and will be based at Science Square, working alongside Georgia Tech, Emory University, and Atlanta’s broader research and healthcare community.

The institute will focus on pediatric research across areas including orthopedics, musculoskeletal disorders, cleft palate, burns, and regenerative medicine.

Resilience in life sciences manufacturing now means looking well beyond inventory levels or a second supplier.

This afternoon’s panel, “Resilience, Supply Chains, and the Future of U.S. Life Sciences Manufacturing,” explored how manufacturers are building more flexibility into operations, looking deeper into vendor risk, and making harder decisions about where to invest for long-term resilience.

Moderator Scott Rizzo of Bend Bioscience joined Attly Aycock of Re*****on Medical, Gary S. Lynch of The Risk Project, LLC, and Scott Nudelman of Vitrian for a practical discussion grounded in what companies are seeing on the ground today.

Georgia also featured prominently in the conversation, with panelists pointing to the state’s engineering and technical talent, universities, transportation infrastructure, and manufacturing base as real advantages for continued life sciences growth.

Thank you to Scott, Attly, Gary, and Scott for bringing such a practical perspective to an issue that continues to shape the industry.

📢 Georgia Life Sciences is pleased to welcome Renee' Martin, Ph.D. as Program Manager for its Teacher Training Initiative, a flagship workforce development program that equips Georgia educators with the tools, training, and industry connections to prepare the next generation of life sciences talent.

Now entering its eighth year, the initiative has trained 959 educators, reaching nearly 300,000 students statewide and expanding access to high-quality STEM and life sciences education across Georgia.

In her new role, Dr. Martin will lead the Teacher Training Initiative and oversee the Georgia Life Sciences Equipment Depot, helping strengthen the connections between classrooms, industry, and career opportunities throughout the state.

Please join us in welcoming Renee to the Georgia Life Sciences team!

🔗 Read the full announcement: https://hubs.la/Q04q7Stw0

🔬 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

Last week, K-12 educators participated in a specialized Cell Manufacturing Workshop through the Georgia Life Sciences Biotechnology Teacher Training Initiative (BTTI), hosted in partnership with the Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT) Education and Workforce Development Program.

Through hands-on learning experiences, laboratory tours, and interactive activities led by Drs. Shalu Suri, Johnna Temenoff, and the Georgia Institute of Technology team, our educators gained firsthand exposure to emerging cell manufacturing technologies, real-world industry applications, and the growing career opportunities within this innovative field.

As advanced therapies and cell-based technologies continue to transform healthcare, workshops like these help ensure Georgia educators are prepared to introduce students to the skills and careers shaping the future of the life sciences industry.

A special thank you to the educators who dedicated their time to participate in this workshop. Your commitment to continuous learning and bringing cutting-edge science into the classroom is helping inspire the next generation of innovators, researchers, engineers, and life sciences professionals. The impact of your work extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the future workforce that will drive discoveries and improve lives for years to come.

Thank you as well to our partners at CMaT and Georgia Tech for helping equip educators with the knowledge, resources, and experiences needed to connect classroom learning with real-world industry opportunities.

Read more in our June Newsletter: https://hubs.la/Q04lVXNS0

🚀 Applications Are Now Open for the 2026 Startup Showcase at the Georgia Life Sciences Summit!

Georgia Life Sciences is now accepting applications for the Startup Showcase, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, taking place during the Georgia Life Sciences Summit on August 25–26.

This premier program highlights emerging MedTech and Therapeutics companies developing innovative technologies, products, and solutions that have the potential to transform healthcare.

Selected companies will:
✅ Present live during the August 26 Summit luncheon
✅ Participate in an investor Q&A with leading life sciences investors
✅ Connect with members of the Johnson & Johnson External Innovation team, who will be onsite and scheduling select 1:1 meetings with strategically aligned companies.

Additional benefits include:
🔹 Complimentary Summit registration for all applicants
🔹 Exposure to industry leaders, investors, researchers, and potential partners
🔹 Feedback on commercialization and growth strategies
🔹 One selected company will be invited to participate in the NewYorkBIO / New York Stock Exchange Life Sciences Showcase on December 10

If you're building the next generation of healthcare innovation or know a company that is - this is an opportunity worth exploring.

📅 Apply today and help showcase the future of Georgia's life sciences ecosystem.

Building Georgia’s future life sciences workforce starts in the classroom and we’re proud to celebrate the educators who are inspiring the next generation of scientists, innovators, technicians, and healthcare leaders.

Over the past year:
🔬 98 educators participated in BTTI training
🏫 40 schools across 23 school systems were engaged
👩‍🎓 An estimated 5,375 students were reached through hands-on biotechnology learning
🧪 238 teachers received laboratory equipment and materials through the Georgia Life Sciences Equipment Depot

Thank you to the teachers, industry partners, school systems, donors, and supporters who help make this impact possible.

Read the full story in our June newsletter: https://hubs.la/Q04lBWHL0

The people and organizations driving Georgia's life sciences industry deserve to be recognized.

Have you submitted your nomination for the 2026 Georgia Life Sciences Golden Helix Awards?

Presented as part of the Georgia Life Sciences Summit the Golden Helix Awards are the industry's premier recognition program, celebrating the innovators, leaders, educators, advocates, and organizations driving Georgia's life sciences sector forward. From breakthrough discoveries and transformative partnerships to workforce development and community impact, the awards honor those whose achievements are advancing innovation, improving health, and shaping the future of life sciences in Georgia.

This year's honorees will be recognized during the Georgia Life Sciences Summit Welcome Reception and Golden Helix Awards Ceremony on August 25, alongside industry leaders from across the state.

Award Categories
🏆 Deal of the Year
🏆 Community Impact Award
🏆 Innovation Award
🏆 Emerging Leader of the Year
🏆 Phoenix Award
🏆 Legislator of the Year
🏆 Teacher of the Year

𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟑𝟎.

To be eligible for consideration, accomplishments, initiatives, transactions, or achievements must have occurred between January 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026.

Submit your nomination today and help us celebrate the people and organizations advancing innovation, improving lives, and strengthening Georgia's life sciences economy.

📥 https://hubs.la/Q04kQFm30

Georgia Life Sciences is pleased to announce the promotion of Stacey Bowlin to Executive Vice President.

Since joining GLS in 2024, Stacey has played a central role in advancing our strategic visibility, member engagement, industry partnerships, and statewide growth initiatives. She also led the successful transformation from Georgia Bio to Georgia Life Sciences, helping modernize our brand and better reflect the full breadth of Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem.

“Stacey has made an extraordinary impact on Georgia Life Sciences in a very short period of time,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO. “Her ability to combine strategic vision with operational excellence has elevated our organization and positioned us for continued growth. This promotion is well deserved.”

Please join us in congratulating Stacey on this exciting next step.

Read more by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q04klDLz0

This week, Georgia Life Sciences' Phil Gibson joined leaders from across the engineering biology ecosystem at the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC) Annual Meeting at North Carolina State University, where he delivered a flash talk on "Advancing the Bioeconomy Industry Ecosystem."

The future of the bioeconomy depends on more than breakthrough discoveries.

It requires strong connections between academia, industry, and government to move innovation from the laboratory into real-world applications.

At Georgia Life Sciences, we are committed to breaking down traditional silos and building pathways for collaboration among researchers, trainees, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors, and policymakers. By strengthening these connections, we help accelerate the translation of engineering biology innovations into new products, companies, manufacturing opportunities, and economic growth.

Thank you to EBRC for convening this important conversation on the future of engineering biology and the bioeconomy.

Athens Bioscience, Inc. worked with an intern from the Biomanufacturing Program at ACCA developed by partnerships including local industry, county and State officials, educators, and Georgia Life Sciences.

As the program matures, students engage in internships at local industry sites to learn real-world applications for what they have learned through the Biomanufacturing pathway. Learning outcomes include not only the traditional biotechnology framework, but also automation and engineering fundamentals crucial in today’s biomanufacturing settings.

Read more by visiting:
https://hubs.la/Q04jYjrf0