Outreach

The Scientists in Residence program is a three-day biotechnology training experience for select high school students. It was established by Loida Escote-Carlson (now Teaching Professor Emeritus) and is lead by Natasha Tirko (Master of Biotechnology Program Director) and Beth Schlagenhaufer (Lab Manager). In 2023, the program partnered with Sarah Bordenstein of the Wolbachia Project.

Students conduct molecular biology experiments in The Huck Institutes' Molecular Biology Training Laboratory and gain experience with techniques like basic benchwork skills (pipetting, sterile technique, etc), DNA extraction and purification, restriction enzyme procedures, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, cell culture, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics.

Through these hands-on experiences and an ice cream social networking opportunity with current Master of Biotechnology graduate students, the program hopes to inspire the next cohort of skilled scientists and biotechnologists.

The ‘Science U’ Biotechnology Mini Summer School, offered through the Eberly College of Science’s Office of Science Outreach, is an annual biotechnology science camp for high school students from all over the country. These students are fascinated by DNA and biotechnology and are interested in learning more about cutting-edge research in biopharmaceutical, agricultural, and environmental research areas. Participants conduct wet-lab experiments in the Penn State graduate student biotechnology training lab during this three-day program. Techniques like DNA cloning and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA are introduced. Students also hear from Penn State scientists and industry professionals in biopharmaceutical, agricultural, and environmental biotechnology careers.

The camp is led by lead by Natasha Tirko (Master of Biotechnology Program Director), Beth Schlagenhaufer (Lab Manager), and Sarah Bordenstein (Research Professor and creator of the Wolbachia Project).