Call for Judges for Science Fair and BioGENEius Challenge

Each year, Virginia Bio recruits volunteer judges from the membership to attend the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair to select the top three winners in the field of biosciences. This year’s fair will be held virtually on April 10, 2021, hosted virtually by the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke’s Berglund Special Events Center. Judges will be sent applicant information, abstracts and posters to review.

Volunteer judges are also needed for the Virginia BioGENEius Challenge. Students submit their projects in either the categories of biotechnology, agriculture or industrial/ environmental science. The judging for the challenge is done virtually. Judges will be sent applicant information, abstracts and posters by May 10, and results will be due back to Virginia Bio on May 19. Winners from the state challenge will go on to compete in the U.S. National BioGENEius Challenge taking place during the BIO International Conference in June.

Please contact Caron Trumbo if interested in volunteering your time!

AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Merck commit $120M to Virginia pharma training

Pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly & Co. and Merck & Co. have committed a cumulative $120 million to develop a workforce training center for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing in Central Virginia. The companies, each of which is planning to build manufacturing facilities in Virginia; the state government, including Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp.; and multiple Virginia colleges …

10/27/2025

Virginia can lead biotech manufacturing renaissance – if policymakers help

Last week, pharmaceutical giant Merck broke ground on a new $3 billion facility in Virginia that will create 8,000 construction jobs and 500 permanent manufacturing jobs. The new 400,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art plant isn’t merely the latest addition to Virginia’s rapidly growing biotech industry footprint. It’s a sign that America is making quick progress towards President …

10/22/2025

Virginia Catalyst Announces Round 19 of Grant Funding

The Virginia Catalyst announced today that it is accepting letters of intent (LOI) for Grant Round 19 to fund the development and commercialization of life science projects that address major unmet needs for improving human health and advance Virginia’s economy. “We at the Virginia Catalyst are pleased to provide funding in support of the Governor’s …

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