Student Programs

2009 MichBio High School Career Day at Western Michigan University

MichBio, along with its partner, Western Michigan University, held its 5th Annual Career Day on November 3 on the university’s campus.  Over 100 high school students and their science teachers, some travelling more than 60 miles, participated in tours and hands-on demonstrations during the event that aims to raise awareness of educational and career opportunities in the biosciences.  The program included tours of:

•    The state-of-the-art College of Health and Human Services Building, featuring some of the most sophisticated learning labs in the nation, including a biofeedback lab, physician assistant skills labs - complete with a $300,000 simulated patient and examination room - and an orthotics and fabrication lab.
•    The Biological Imaging Center, where students saw operating research workstations utilizing light, laser and electron optics and learned about their capabilities and applications in medical research and nanotechnology. 
•    The Van de Graaff Accelerator Lab with its operating particle accelerator, along with beam lines, target areas, and detectors used to do research with sub-atomic particles. 
•    The Molecular Modeling Lab, where students explored nanoscale structures and processes in 3D, and learned about a glowing jellyfish protein, nano-encapsulation by dendrimers, and the  collisions of nano-scale water droplets with a surface.
•    The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, with labs and projects ranging from bio-mechanical research to neurobiology engineering, including radio frequency ID, printed electronics, and alternative energies research.

Expo College Program Advised Students on Post Graduate Bioscience Opportunities in Michigan

Over 50 students from Grand Valley State University, Ferris State and Western Michigan University heard about career planning from industry insiders during the 2009 Expo College Program on Day Two. The lively, interactive session with a panel of advisors, representing academia, large corporations and emerging bioscience companies, provided valuable advice on how to plan a future in the industry.

Following the program, students attended other Expo sessions, browsed the Exhibit Hall and networked with industry leaders.

“It’s critical that we reach out to our future talent and show them how they can play a key role in growing the industry right here in Michigan,” commented Stephen Rapundalo, Ph.D., MichBio president and CEO. 

From the students:

"As a college student, I didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. This was very helpful..."

"Please keep the college programs!"