Connecting the Dots: Athens Career Academy Unveils Biotech Track, Shaping Real Futures for High School Students

Photo of Wesley Melina, John Mitchell, and Ilka McDonnell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–February 22, 2024– Athens, Georgia – The Athens Community Career Academy, part of the Clarke County School District, is ushering in a new era of education and community development with its innovative Biotechnology Track. Designed to meet the changing needs of the workforce in Athens, this program aims to prepare high school students for successful careers in the local biotech industry.

The first of its kind in Georgia, the Biotechnology Track is a three-course pathway that equips students with the skills and knowledge to use living organisms and biological processes to solve problems and create useful products in fields like medicine, agriculture, and food science. With the support of Athens-Clarke County Economic Development and local biotech businesses, this program was created for students grades 10-12, aligning with the growing demand in the biomanufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors in Athens.

“Career Pathways offer students choices based on local workforce needs. Our goal is to continue connecting the dots between education, industry, and community, preparing students for successful careers,” says Wesley Mellina, CEO of Athens Community Career Academy.

The creation of this new program began over a year ago, driven by the vision of Ilka McConnell, Director of Economic Development for Athens-Clarke County, and Wesley Mellina, CEO of Athens Community Career Academy, in collaboration with local biotech leaders. By working closely with biotech leaders in the community, the Career Academy ensures that the curriculum meets the needs of the local biotech industry.

“One common concern [with other programs] is the lack of hands-on laboratory experience. This course is designed to better prepare students with practical laboratory skills. However, most importantly this course is designed to instill an enthusiasm for life sciences,” says John Mitchell, CEO of Athens Research and Technology. Over the past eighteen months, Athens Research and Technology has contributed both time and resources, helping to launch and make this program accessible and beneficial for students.

“The talent pipeline John Mitchell has helped us build has been tremendous. Athens Research and Technology really started looking at what level of information is needed to start a career in the industry,” says Ilka McConnell, “They’re doing a standout job at keeping their door open to the workforce and really understanding what level of education is needed to be successful in each role on their team.”

With the introduction of the Biotechnology Track, the Career Academy aims to empower students and inspire parents to see the potential in the Athens community. By offering choices for students at an earlier age and providing internship opportunities, class demonstrations, and industry engagement, the Career Academy strives to create a positive impact and showcase the long-term opportunities available in the biotech industry.

“Athens is a magical place. It’s a beautiful city,” says Ilka McConnell, “We want students to grow their skills, grow their support, and eventually grow their families here.” 

Enrolling now for the 2024 Fall semester, the Biotechnology Track is open to 10th-12th graders and offers a comprehensive pathway for students to gain valuable skills in biotech. Students who complete this program will have the chance to earn the Biotility Biotechnician Assistant certification, which further enhances their career prospects in the field.

Diversity in the biotech industry stands as a cornerstone of the Biotechnology Track’s mission. The Athens Community Career Academy, committed to breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity, provides students with opportunities to explore their interests. Stepping back for a broader perspective, biology emerges as the foundational essence of all life. By raising awareness around diversity in the biotech industry and providing students with opportunities to explore their interests, the Career Academy is paving the way for a brighter future where education, industry, and community come together to create a legacy of empowerment and opportunity for the Athens Community. Image from L to R: Wesley Mellina, John Mitchell, Ilka McConnell

Media Contact:
Sydney Lucero

601-455-8590

UGA & Manus Among Awardees in $214M BioMADE Investment

April 30, 2026
BioMADE Announces $21.4 Million Invested in 14 Projects to Develop the U.S. Bioindustrial Manufacturing Industry and Advance National Security Priorities

Nutrivert announces first close on $6 million Series A-2 funding round

April 17, 2026
April 17, 2026 - Nutrivert Inc., a developer of non-antibiotic replacements for antibiotic growth promoters in livestock, today announced it has completed the first close, raising $2.375 million, of its Series A-2 funding round of $6 million. The round was led by global animal health investor Arrow Ventures with participation from other investors. The funding will be used to further develop Nutrivert’s manufacturing, human food safety and target animal safety and efficacy packages for the company’s lead product Nutrivert LDPP. Nutrivert LDPP is a proprietary, novel, orally available, lipidated synthetic enantiomeric desmuramyl analog of muramyl dipeptide, the smallest conserved immunoactive component of bacterial peptidoglycan. LDPP has no antibacterial effect but has consistently promoted growth and improved feed efficiency in pig studies. LDPP binds to the mammalian NOD2 receptor and is the only NOD2 ligand reported to inhibit the inflammatory signal NF-κB. In pilot studies, LDPP rescued 70kg pigs from an otherwise lethal dose of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and abrogated influenza disease symptoms in piglets. The Company intends to develop LDPP for all major livestock species worldwide. Patents have been granted in most major markets. The global antibiotic growth promoter market is worth an estimated $5.8 billion. Approximately 73% of all antibiotics are fed to livestock. The market is believed to be the world’s largest drug market by volume, with ~100,000 tons of active pharmaceutical ingredient administered annually. FDA’s latest data, for 2024, show a 13% rise in U.S. livestock antibiotic use since 2017. The Food and Agriculture Organization reports that livestock antibiotics are mostly given to speed animal growth. Regulators and non-governmental organizations have called for reduction of antibiotic use in livestock, citing concerns that the global, intensive use of antibiotics, often at subtherapeutic doses, selects for antimicrobial resistance: bacteria that are “immune” to antibiotics and that therefore pose a threat to public health. Spillovers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from livestock to humans have been documented. “Nutrivert LDPP has consistently improved feed efficiency in pigs without antibiotics,” said Bernhard Kaltenboeck, CSO. “We are excited to have the support of Arrow Ventures and our other investors in bringing a new tool that will help producers reduce production costs and reduce selection pressure for antimicrobial resistance.” About Nutrivert LDPP: LDPP is an investigational compound currently undergoing clinical evaluation. It has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or any other global regulatory authority for any indication. The safety and efficacy of LDPP have not been established. Any mention of potential use is based on preliminary data and does not guarantee future regulatory clearance or commercial availability.

USDOL Approves National Biomanufacturing Technician Standards

April 16, 2026
[Seattle, WA] April 15, 2026 – Apprenti, the leading national intermediary for Registered Apprenticeship (RA), is proud to announce the formal approval and filing of the National Biomanufacturing Technician Standards with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). Crafted under the strategic guidance of the Apprenti Life Science Advisory Board—which includes leaders from Pfizer, Merck, Thermo Fisher, and Biogen—these standards were developed in close partnership with the Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative (LSWC) and InnovATEBIO as part of a high-impact NIIMBL project. This approval represents a foundational shift for the industry, moving away from a fragmented, state-by-state approach to a scalable, consistent model for developing biomanufacturing professionals at sites across all 50 states. The national standards provide a “plug-and-play” framework that ensures a technician trained in Massachusetts or North Carolina meets the same rigorous, industry-vetted benchmarks as one in Ohio or Missouri. The foundational development of these national standards was informed by existing Life Science RA programs from organizations across the country, including: MassBioEd, Oregon Life Sciences, National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing (NCTM), BioSTL, Wistar Institute, North Carolina Life Sciences Apprenticeship Consortium (NCLSAC) and others. A National Engine for Talent: The filing of these standards is a cornerstone of NIIMBL’s efforts to strengthen domestic biomanufacturing capabilities and develop the workforce of the future. Beyond the standards themselves, the project is delivering a suite of resources and tools—including a comprehensive Employer Toolkit and specialized screening rubrics—that state-based organizations and employers can leverage to implement RA programming for their most in-demand roles. “These national standards set the stage for a sustainable, skills-first pipeline that mirrors the rigor of the industry’s most complex manufacturing processes,” said Daniel Weagle, Director of Life Science Business Development at Apprenti. “By providing a unified approach, we are empowering national employers to scale their workforce development efforts strategically and accessibly.” The Value Proposition of Registered Apprenticeship For Life Science employers, the Registered Apprenticeship model offers a compelling business case rooted in cost-effectiveness and long-term stability: High Retention: RA programs boast exceptional retention rates—historically as high as 89% to 90%—as apprentices are trained within a company’s specific culture and protocols from day one. Cost Efficiency: Research indicates that for every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers see an average return of $1.47 in increased productivity and reduced recruitment costs. Inclusive Innovation: The model expands access to untapped talent pools, including non-degreed individuals and career-switchers, ensuring the biomanufacturing workforce reflects the demographics of the communities it serves. As the global biopharmaceutical market is projected to exceed $570 billion by 2032 , this partnership between Apprenti, NIIMBL, and industry leaders ensures that the U.S. workforce is not just prepared for the future of manufacturing, but is actively driving it. This project was developed with an award from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) and financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (70NANB21H086). About Apprenti: Apprenti is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a U.S. Department of Labor recognized Intermediary. Apprenti designs and delivers scalable Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs in high-demand industries. By adapting the proven apprenticeship model, Apprenti helps employers meet workforce needs while training the next generation of skilled professionals. Apprenti’s programs are industry-recognized, federally approved, and supports employers across the country. Since launching in 2015, Apprenti has partnered with employers, government agencies, and education providers to create new apprenticeship pathways. About NIIMBL The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) is a public-private partnership whose mission is to accelerate biopharmaceutical innovation, support the development of industry standards, and educate a world-leading workforce. Media Contact: Dan Maiese, Communications Manager, dmaiese@niimbl.org , 302-831-3824 About the Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative (LSWC) The Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative (LSWC) is a national nonprofit coalition of state, regional and national life science associations and institutes who are working together to build a competitive, and future-ready life sciences workforce. Originally founded in 2012 as the Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes (CSBI), LSWC connects industry, academia, and government partners through data-driven insights, best practice sharing, and collaborative programs. Learn more at www.LifeSciencesWorkforce.org About InnovATEBIO InnovATEBIO is a National Center for Biotechnology Education, working to advance the education of highly skilled technicians for the nation’s biotechnology workforce. Toward this goal, InnovATEBIO provides leadership in biotechnology technician education, including support for development and sharing of best practices and emerging technologies in biotechnology workforce development. Read LSWC's full announcement here.
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