CBST at the Inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival

The Inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival is the country’s first national science festival, occurring October 10 – 24, 2010 in Washington, D.C. area. Over 1 million people are expected to visit 1,500 exhibits at the Expo this weekend (October 23 & 24), which is the culmination of the festival. The Festival’s mission is to reinvigorate the interest of our nation’s youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), by producing and presenting the most compelling, exciting, educational and entertainment science gatherings in the United States.

NSF Center for Biophotonics Science & Technology (CBST) earned a spot at the Expo via a competitive process. A team of educators will represent CBST and UC Davis with the exhibit titled “Using Light to See the Invisible”, in Section PA-13, Booth Number 1320 on Pennsylvania Avenue at Freedom Plaza. Exhibit visitors will get a chance to explore the exciting ways in which light interacts with the human body and biological matter in general, and how these interactions are used by scientists to research, detect and treat disease.

CBST’s Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marco Molinaro, together with Dr. Jodie Galosy, Michelle McCombs, and Suzanne Papamichail, will lead the CBST exhibit and demonstrations. They will also be joined by Leah Meza, an undergraduate who interned with CBST and the UC Davis Cancer Center as part of the Emerging Technologies – Continuing Umbrella Research Experiences (ET-CURE) program, who is currently in a post-bachelor’s degree program at the National Cancer Institute. Leah is only one of the many underrepresented minority students who participated in a variety of CBST education and outreach activities, and who intends to pursue medical school and a research career in oncology.

The USA Science & Engineering Festival is a grassroots collaboration of over 500 of the nation’s leading science organizations, from major academic centers and research institutes, and government agencies, to cutting-edge high tech companies, museums and community organizations. Hosted by Lockheed Martin, the Festival enjoys the support of a bipartisan Honorary Congressional Host Committee with over 100 Members, including Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, and Congressman Mike Thompson.

Of note, the Festival’s Executive Director is Mr. Larry Bock, successful serial entrepreneur who has founded, co-founded or financed the early stage growth of 40 companies in the life and physical sciences from inception to achieving an aggregate market capitalization in excess of $30 Billion, such as Nanosys Inc, Neurocrine Biosciences, Cambrios, Plexikon Pharmaceuticals, and Gen-Probe. He is a General Partner of CW Ventures, and a Special Limited Partner to Lux Capital. Recipient of many awards and honors, Larry is now deeply involved in a number of government agencies, as member of advisory boards and committees. He is generously giving back to the community, both financially and by volunteering his expertise to causes and individuals, such as the San Diego Science Festival and the USA Science & Engineering Festival.

In parallel to its presence in Washington, DC, CBST will also be represented at a conference in California this weekend. Ms. Alisa Lee will present CBST exhibits and demonstrations at the California Science Education Conference, organized by the California Science Teachers Association in Sacramento, on October 22-24. Conference participants have the opportunity to tour CBST’s state-of-the-art research facilities, meet with scientists and participate in a workshop on biophotonics.

At over $50 Billions per year, biophotonics is a large industry, which is poised for enormous growth. Not only has biophotonics already had major impacts on fundamental research and medical technology innovation, it also has the potential to improve outcomes and decrease costs by enabling early detection, increased efficacy, point-of-care, in-home diagnostics, new treatments, as well as prevention through better nutrition and wellness monitoring. Fittingly for the USA Science & Engineering Festival, CBST uses the highly interdisciplinary and visual science of biophotonics to spark young students’ interest in science and to prepare “market ready” STEM graduates. An educated workforce and student population will ensure continued US innovation and competitiveness.

For questions about CBST and its participation in the USA Science & Engineering Festival, contact Marco Molinaro, PhD, at marco.molinaro@cbst.ucdavis.edu.