Best and Brightest
Well established as the Biotechnology Institute's "flagship" program, the BioGENEius Challenge Series provides high school age students with expanded opportunity to compete and be recognized for outstanding research in biotechnology. Drawn from state and regional science competitions across the more than thirty State and our International partners, top finalists representing the upper 5% of applicants showcase their research at the BIO International Convention to some 16,000 attendees and a panel of judges comprised of industry and academic subject matter experts. The following awards are considered based upon the subject matter and excellence of the finalists' projects:
The Global Healthcare Challenge in medical biotechnology
The Global Sustainability Challenge in agricultural biotechnology
The Global Environment Challenge in industrial and environmental biotechnology
How Do I Choose a Challenge Category?
Healthcare
Projects for consideration for the Global Healthcare Challenge focus on the intended or anticipated outcomes of novel work in healthcare-related sciences, not the process or processes used to achieve them. Example projects could include but are not limited to:
Basic and translational systems knowledge (mapping genome elements, new molecular pathways, cell-cell interactions, etc.); druggable targets; novel proteins or small molecule therapeutics, vaccines: drug delivery; bioproduction of therapeutics/vaccines; nanobiotechnologies; medical devices; diagnostics; data analytics (AI/computational bioinformatics modeling/convoluted neural networks/health data IT application) all must be related to human health.
Sustainability
Projects for consideration for the Global Sustainability Challenge focus on the intended or anticipated outcomes of agricultural applications' work, not the process or processes used to achieve them. Example projects could include but are not limited to:
Genetic or other manipulations to crop plants to allow for optimal growth under adverse conditions (temperature, soil depletion, drought, insects, etc.); beneficial symbiotic relationships to enhance yield; soil improvements; disease control; value-added foods for human and animal benefit; improvements in animal health and reproduction; food security; data analytics (AI/computational bioinformatics modeling/convoluted neural networks all related to agricultural biotechnology.
Environment
Projects for consideration for the Global Environment Challenge focus on the intended or anticipated outcomes of the work impacting industrial and environmental issues, not the process or processes used to achieve them. Example projects could include (but are not limited to):
Bio-based degradable materials; bioremediation and other waste reduction/conversion efficiencies; marine-based products (not human health-related); new or improved biofuels production; biological processes for materials production (resource or waste conservation); reducing toxic emissions and greenhouse gases; data analytics (AI/computational bioinformatics modeling/convoluted neural networks all related to industrial and environmental biotechnology.
Example Decision Matrix
| Appropriate Challenge Track | |
|---|---|
| I used algae to synthesize a chemical reactant for the synthesis of a complex antibiotic. | Global Healthcare Challenge |
| I used nutritional lipid-modified algae to reduce fishmeal requirements in aquaculture. | Global Sustainability Challenge |
| I used lipid-optimized algae as an alternative energy source for low weight hydrocarbon fuels. | Global Environment Challenge |
Apply for 2024 here
The Gene Pool Competition
In its 7th year, the Gene Pool Competition is an onsite, spontaneous competition: a favorite relief from the formal poster presentations.
All BioGENEius finalists get to participate for a cash prize.
We would tell you more here, but that would ruin the surprise and compromise your ingenuity. Become a BioGENEius Finalist and find out!
