In this robust roundup from the 2021-22 academic year, we highlight the top projects the team worked on by month.
Between 2018 and 2020, Amy Zamora’s tenure as a systems research scholar allowed her to merge her two interests – math and biology – and to learn a lot more along the way. “I didn’t really know how to combine my passions until I came to ISB,” she said.
Dr. Temple Grandin was the featured guest of the latest ISB-Town Hall Seattle Science Series. Grandin discussed her new book – “The Outdoor Scientist: The Wonder of Observing the Natural World” – and a variety of other topics. Following her talk, she joined ISB President Dr. Jim Heath for a wide ranging Q&A discussion.
Pop quiz: What’s the difference between DNA, RNA and proteins? ISB researchers have created a video game that teaches secondary students (grades 6-12) the key tenets of molecular biology in a fun, interactive and engaging way, and can be used by teachers as a supplemental aide to assist with complex lessons.
ISB Assistant Professor Dr. Sean Gibbons recently participated in a virtual event titled “Reshaping STEM Education Toward Equitable Futures for Washington Students.” Panelists shared their insights about how to leverage this complex moment to reshape STEM education toward equity, sustainability, and prosperity for Washington state’s students — especially those furthest from opportunity.
At the 6th Annual Valerie Logan Luncheon held Thursday, the day’s theme – “Igniting Curiosity, Catalyzing Change” – was evident throughout. Every year, ISB celebrates Valerie Logan, the founder of our education programs, and all her work toward providing K-16 professional development for educators, high school STEM curriculum development, undergraduate research internships, and, crucially, student access to diverse mentors. This year’s event raised a record $140,000 to fund ISB’s education programs.
Among ISB’s core values is the belief that we have a responsibility to share what we know. To that end, ISB hosts an annual weeklong Systems Biology of Disease Summer Course to introduce the core concepts of systems biology and their application to systems biomedicine. The course demonstrates the importance of cross-disciplinary interactions for the success of systems biology programs. Participants include graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, biomedical researchers, educators and…
Christine Pham, 2016 ISB High School Intern, was accepted by WSU’s Honors College and was named a Distinguished Regents Scholar, which awarded her a four-year tuition scholarship. “ISB saw the potential in me when I had not realized it myself. Working with multiple mentors and lab partners fostered my growth as an individual. As I head to college with the hopes of pursuing an interdisciplinary subject, I will build upon…
The 5th Annual Valerie Logan Luncheon, which took place on Nov. 29, was our most successful yet, having raised $120,000 for ISB’s education programs. There were a few tear-jerker moments, including when Lee Hood interviewed some students: Sara Michelassi, who will graduate next spring with her high school diploma AND her AA in science from North Seattle College, said that she’s always dreamed of working in a lab, “but I…
ISB’s Logan Center for Education hosted a workshop on Next Generation Science Standards for principals from Puget Sound area schools. Kim Klinke, of the Logan Center, is also a LASER Alliance Director. She led the workshop, which gave principals an opportunity to learn about NGSS and “3-D teaching.”
Local business, tech and education leaders – including ISB President Dr. Lee Hood – signed a letter of support for House Bill 1813. From the recent Geekwire.com article: “The letter, sent by Code.org and Washington STEM today to leadership in the state House of Representatives, calls on legislators to support passing and funding House Bill 1813, which establishes a grant program with a private match requirement to both train educators in,…
It’s a fine day when the Rev. Jesse Jackson is the surprise guest speaker – after Gov. Jay Inslee – at an event. Dana Riley Black, Director of ISB’s Logan Center for Education, had the opportunity to meet the Rev. Jesse Jackson after his speech during the Washington STEM Summit, which is an annual event to bring education, business and community leaders together for a statewide effort to advance excellence,…
Photo above: Dr. Vineet Sangar, right, a postdoc in the Price Lab at ISB, explains proteomics technology to a group of community college faculty, who participated in a systems biology workshop in May 2014. By Dana Riley Black Director of Logan Center for Education Over the past two decades, systems biology has revolutionized traditional approaches to answering complex biological questions. The rapid advancement of computational power and the increased access…
(Photo: Bothell High School teacher Cynthia McIntyre (above left) and ISB’s Chris Plaisier (above right), a senior research scientist in the Baliga Lab, participated in Washington Alliance for Better Schools’ event “A Celebration of STEM” which took place MOHAI on May 6.) ISB’s K-12 STEM Education work On May 6, Washington Alliance for Better Schools held “A Celebration of STEM” at MOHAI to showcase projects that middle and high school…
Summer Course: Systems Biology of Disease Register Now Offered by Institute for Systems Biology and Center for Systems Biology Course Objective The goal of this course is to introduce the core concepts of systems biology and their application to systems biomedicine. We will demonstrate the importance of cross-disciplinary interactions for the success of systems biology programs. When July 28 – August 1, 2014 9 am to 5 pm Where Institute…
The educators who work at ISB continue to influence how science is taught in the State of Washington. Claudia Ludwig and Dina Kovarik, members of the Baliga Lab education team, recently helped the Highline School District apply for a $1,000 grant to use toward systems science materials and teacher training. Highline’s Arts and Academics Academy received the award, which will also provide students with “real-world” lab experience.
Photo above: Valerie Logan during the 2012 Valerie Logan Luncheon. To inspire students and imbue them with a love for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), we must inspire their teachers. ISB has always held this philosophy and, at the 2nd Annual Valerie Logan Luncheon on Nov. 13, we will celebrate our vision for bringing quality STEM education to all students and also honor Dr. Meena Selvakumar as the recipient…
Every summer, ISB welcomes a group of high school interns, hosted through our Systems Education Experiences program. ISB is proud of its collaborative and cross-disciplinary culture and we work hard to nurture an environment that allows our staff to achieve at a high level. It was especially gratifying to get this comment from one of our interns, who had just completed her time here: “At ISB, I witnessed collaboration that…
