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FAMU and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Announce Cutting-Edge Biotech Summer Workshop for High School and Community College Teachers
Applications for hands-on seminar on plant molecular genetics and bioinformatics now available
TALLAHASSEE — Florida A&M University is the site, this summer, of an ultra-modern biotechnology learning center presented by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York (CSHL), a world leader in DNA research. In partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Dolan DNA Learning Center-CSHL will hold a five-day workshop for high school and community college teachers, June 25 through June 29 at the FAMU Department of Biology. Sessions will be held on plant molecular biology and genomics, and participants will learn how to implement Internet-based bioinformatics (the use of computers to extract and analyze data) in the classroom. An application for the program is available online at www.dnalc.org . The application deadline is April 15.
Gokhan Hacisalihoglu, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at FAMU, is coordinating the program in Tallahassee that will teach the latest methodologies, many of which are vital to the state’s agriculture industry.
“We are very excited about hosting this workshop in Florida because our agriculture industry relies heavily on the research findings of plant molecular geneticists,” Hacisalihoglu said. “The Cold Spring Laboratory has a legacy of strong commitment to education.”
Hacisalihoglu also said that workshop space is limited to 24 participants and innovative high school teachers and community college faculty who desire to bring their students up to speed with modern plant research are encouraged to apply.
Dolan DNA Learning Center staff members will lead the workshop and will educate attendees on biotech skills necessary to accelerate education on modern plant genetics and bioinformatics in local schools. The program will include field trips and guest lecturers from nearby universities. All workshop participants will receive a stipend and free educational materials funded by grants from the NSF. Participants will learn how to implement what they learn to everyday life, such as testing for genetically modified FAMU-Cold Spring Harbor Lab Workshop foods.
Hacisalihoglu, who underwent special leadership training at CSHL and at Cornell University last summer as an NSF faculty fellow, said the workshop will stimulate partnerships and help to develop a critical mass of innovative educators in the region. “Our aim is to improve the quality of biotechnology education in local schools” he said. “This program will contribute to Florida agriculture and horticulture by training teachers on the latest techniques in plant biology.”
The mission of the Dolan DNA Learning Center is to prepare students and families to thrive in the gene age. It is the world's first science center devoted entirely to genetics education. The Center extends the Laboratory's traditional research and postgraduate education mission to the college, pre-college and public levels.
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WHAT: Plant Molecular Genetics and Genomics Summer Workshop
WHERE: Biology Department, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee
WHEN: June 25-29, 2007; Application deadline is April 15.
CONTACT: G. Hacisalihoglu, (850)599-3665, (gokhan.h@famu.edu) or visit www.dnalc.org for application materials.
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