During Arizona Bioscience Week 2024, teachers across the state introduced students to the world of bioscience and healthcare careers through an engaging series of on-demand video industry spotlights. The virtual events are part of the Exploring Pathways to Bioscience Careers initiative, spearheaded by the Maricopa County School Superintendent Office made possible with support by the Flinn Foundation. The week-long events aimed to raise career awareness among 6th-12 students, offering them a glimpse into the future of bioscience and healthcare while showcasing exciting opportunities in these dynamic fields.
Senior Bioscience students in Michelle Laneville’s class at Paradise Valley High School are learning about Bioscience careers in Arizona. Industry Spotlight featured Gabrielle Wycoff, Medical Laboratory Director, and Scientist at Sonora Quest Laboratories.
A Week of Exploration and Inspiration
The week began with an insightful introduction from Dr. Dylan Peay of AZBio.org and Mary O’Reilly, Ph.D., Vice President for Bioscience Research Programs at the Flinn Foundation. Together, they shared a broad overview of the vast opportunities awaiting students in the bioscience and healthcare sectors. Their message set the tone for the rest of Bioscience Week, which featured daily on-demand videos from industry professionals across various bioscience sectors. Each video introduced students to a different career, highlighting the skills required, the academic pathways and advice for students in the classrooms. These industry spotlights provided valuable insight into how the bioscience industry impacts everyday life and the key role professionals play in solving real-world problems.
Day two featured Thatcher Hoppe, Manufacturing Manager at Calviri, which was recently named the Bioscience Company of the Year. Hoppe shared his journey in the biosciences, explaining how manufacturing plays a critical role in producing innovative medical solutions and how his company is at the forefront of developing cancer vaccines. His story underscored for students the importance of perseverance and problem-solving in the industry.
On day three Erika Enriquez, Warehouse Operations Manager at Langham Logistics in Phoenix, Arizona, shed light on the logistics side of the bioscience industry, explaining how teamwork and math are crucial in managing supply chains that ensure the safe and timely delivery of medical supplies and products.
Students learned about Gabrielle Wycoff, Medical Laboratory Director, and Scientist at Sonora Quest Laboratories. Wycoff provided an inside look at her work in diagnostic testing and the role laboratory science plays in healthcare. She outlined the educational pathways needed to enter the field and encouraged students to consider the impact they could make by pursuing careers in laboratory sciences.
The week concluded with Mya Davis, Environmental Health Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health. Davis works on health education, community outreach, and analyzing public health trends to solve problems and promote well-being in communities. Her story highlighted how careers in bioscience and public health intersect, offering students an understanding of the broader impact they can have on society through careers in health policy, data analysis, and environmental health.
In addition to the video spotlights, teachers were provided with resources to facilitate classroom discussions about bioscience career awareness. These lessons sparked conversations, helping students see how their current academic pursuits—whether in science, math, or other subjects—could translate into future careers. The resources also help to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world, encouraging students to think critically about their interests and how they could align with potential career paths in bioscience. The emphasis on professional and academic skills throughout the week gave students a clearer understanding of how their education could open doors to opportunities in Arizona’s growing bioscience and healthcare sectors.
By providing real-world examples and insights directly from professionals in the field, the Exploring Pathways to Bioscience Careers program demonstrated the importance of connecting education to industry, helping students envision a future in which they can make a meaningful impact.
For more information on events hosted by the Maricopa County School Superintendent during Arizona Bioscience Week, visit schoolsup.org/bioscience2024.
To explore additional events and activities, including recognition of Arizona’s top bioscience companies, visit azbio.org, the home of the Arizona Bioindustry Association.
About AZBio
Founded in 2003, the Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc. (AZBio) supports life science innovation and life science innovators in Arizona. A key component in Arizona’s life science ecosystem, AZBio is the only statewide organization exclusively focused on Arizona’s bioscience industry. AZBio membership includes patient advocacy organizations, life science innovators, educators, healthcare partners, philanthropists, and leading business organizations. AZBio members employ over 365,000 Arizonans.
About The Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent
The Office of the Maricopa County School Superintendent is led by elected Superintendent Steve Watson. The office is statutorily responsible to provide services supporting school governing board elections, bond and override elections, appointments, school finance, and maintain homeschool and private school records. The superintendent leverages the office to strengthen teacher voice, increase respect for the education profession, and create resources that expand the capacity of teachers, administrators, and support staff. The superintendent also oversees the Maricopa County accommodation school.
About the Flinn Foundation
The Flinn Foundation is a Phoenix-based privately endowed, philanthropic grantmaking organization established in 1965 by Dr. Robert S. and Irene P. Flinn that awards grants and operates programs in four areas: the biosciences, the Flinn Scholars, arts and culture, and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership. The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations.