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

August 31, 2026
The White House, August 31, 2026 - ADVANCING MOST-FAVORED-NATION (MFN) PRICING: Today, President Donald J. Trump announced nine new agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers to lower prescription drug prices for Americans in line with the lowest prices paid by other developed nations (known as the most-favored-nation, or MFN, price). The agreements bring the total number of pharmaceutical manufacturers with MFN deals to 26, covering 89% of the branded drug market. The nine manufacturers are comprised of mid-sized pharmaceutical companies, including Alcon, Astellas Pharma, BeOne Medicines, BridgeBio, CSL, Kyowa Kirin, Sun Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and UCB. The agreements reduce prices on drugs that treat numerous costly, chronic, and even rare diseases, including hemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, liver disease, skin conditions, and various forms of cancer. The agreements will provide every State Medicaid program in the country access to MFN drug prices on products made by the nine companies, resulting in billions of dollars in savings for Americans and continuing President Trump’s historic efforts to strengthen the program for the most vulnerable. The agreements ensure foreign nations can no longer use price controls to freeride on American innovation by guaranteeing MFN prices on all new innovative medicines the nine companies bring to market. Each of these manufacturers has agreed to fundamentally rebalance international drug pricing by providing MFN pricing to American patients. BOLSTERING AMERICA’S PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLY CHAINS AND RESERVES: These nine pharmaceutical manufacturers committed to invest at least $19.6 billion collectively in U.S. manufacturing in the near term. Additionally, as part of the MFN agreements, several companies are donating active pharmaceutical ingredients for key products to the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve (SAPIR) to reduce reliance on foreign nations and ensure the United States has an adequate supply of such products in the event of an emergency. UCB will contribute 163 tons of levetiracetam, an anticonvulsant used to control and prevent certain types of seizures, to the SAPIR. Sun Pharma will contribute 71.4 tons of clindamycin and 6.75 tons of doxycycline; both antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, to the SAPIR. Teva Pharmaceuticals will contribute 45 metric tons of metronidazole, an antibiotic and antiprotozoal used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections, and 4.8 tons of amlodipine, an antihypertensive drug, to the SAPIR. Astellas will contribute 25 kg of tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ rejection in people who have had organ transplants, to the SAPIR. LOWERING COSTS FOR AMERICANS: President Trump’s decisive and historic actions are lowering drug prices for the American people. Since its February launch, patients have saved more than $700 million on medicines through TrumpRx, including massive discounts on some of the most popular and costly medications used to treat obesity and infertility. In July of 2026, senior citizens without access to GLP-1 coverage to treat obesity gained access for just $50 per month. In the two months since the launch of this program, over 500,000 seniors have saved a total of $216 million dollars on these life-changing medicines. The Council of Economic Advisers estimates the total savings from President Trump’s MFN deals to reach $600 billion over the next decade. DELIVERING ON PROMISES TO PUT AMERICAN PATIENTS FIRST: President Trump is delivering on promises for American patients, accomplishing historic wins that the political establishment did not believe were possible. On May 12, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled: “Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients” directing the Administration to take numerous actions to bring American drug prices in line with those paid by similar nations. On July 31, 2025, President Trump sent letters to 17 of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers outlining the steps they must take to bring down the prices of prescription drugs in the United States to match the lowest price offered in other developed nations. There are now MFN deals with each of those leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. On September 30, 2025, President Trump announced the first agreement, with the drug manufacturer Pfizer, to bring MFN prices to American patients. On December 1, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Health and Human Services announced an agreement with the United Kingdom (U.K.) that will increase the net price of new prescription drugs by 25% in the U.K., helping ensure they pay their fair share for innovative medicines. On December 19, 2025, President Trump announced nine new agreements with major pharmaceutical companies. On February 5, 2026, President Trump launched TrumpRx.gov , where patients can access large discounts on many of the most popular and highest-priced medicines in the country, paying prices in line with the MFN price. As of today, August 31, the Administration now has agreements with Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, EMD Serono, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Regeneron, Alcon, Astellas Pharma, BeOne Medicines, BridgeBio, CSL, Kyowa Kirin, Sun Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and UCB. President Trump is calling on Congress to enact the Great Healthcare Plan , a comprehensive plan to lower drug prices, lower insurance premiums, hold big insurance companies accountable, and maximize price transparency. Source: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces Deal with Nine Additional Pharmaceutical Manufacturers to Lower Drug Prices for Americans – The White House
August 31, 2026
NexGard® Plus donation to Johns Creek Police Department K-9 officers marks the company's commitment to the community. JOHNS CREEK, Ga. (August 31, 2026)– Boehringer Ingelheim today celebrated the grand opening of its new U.S. Animal Health headquarters in Johns Creek, Georgia, marking a significant milestone in the company's commitment to innovation, talent, and the future of animal health. Johns Creek was selected for its access to talent in one of the region's fastest-growing life sciences and innovation corridors, and proximity to other Boehringer sites in Georgia. The grand opening brought together elected officials, community leaders, customers, partners, and employees to celebrate Boehringer's presence in Georgia and its purpose of Transforming Lives for Generations through science and innovation. “The animals we care for and the customers we serve are at the center of everything we do,” said Peter Ploeger, U.S. Animal Health Country Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim . “This headquarters was designed to bring our people together, inspire collaboration, and strengthen our ability to develop solutions that improve the lives of companion animals, livestock, and the people who care for them. We are proud to call Johns Creek home and excited about the impact we will create together.” The Johns Creek headquarters complements Boehringer's broader Georgia footprint, which includes research, development, and manufacturing operations in Athens and manufacturing operations in Gainesville. Together, these sites, combining manufacturing, innovation and commercial activities, underline the importance of the U.S. for the company, which continues to invest in Georgia operations to deliver solutions that advance animal health around the world, according to event remarks from Dr. Armin Wiesler, Member of the Board of Managing Directors, Animal Health Business Unit . Georgia and local leaders, including Select Fulton Director of Economic Development Samir Abdullahi, highlighted Boehringer Ingelheim's continued investment in Georgia and commitment to the Johns Creek community. “Georgia continues to attract world-class companies because of our skilled workforce, business-friendly environment, and commitment to innovation,” said Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp . “Boehringer Ingelheim's investment in Johns Creek, along with their strong support of First Lady Marty Kemp's animal welfare efforts and K-9 law enforcement officers, reinforces their commitment to being a long-term partner with the State of Georgia." As part of the grand opening celebration, Alexandra McMenamy, U.S. Animal Health, Head of Pet at Boehringer , joined Chief Mitchell and local officials in presenting a donation of NexGard® Plus parasite protection to the Johns Creek Police Department's K-9 Unit in recognition of the department's service to the community. “We are proud to welcome a company committed to the well-being of animals,” said Mayor John Bradberry . “Boehringer Ingelheim’s support of the Johns Creek Police Department’s K-9 Unit is greatly appreciated.” The donation, made just after International Dog Day (August 26), highlights the company's commitment to supporting both animal health and the communities where its employees live and work. 
August 21, 2026
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN) has named Georgia #4 among its “Next 5 States” for emerging U.S. biopharma clusters . The article highlights UCB’s planned $2 billion investment at in Gwinnett County, Micron Biomedical’s new Alpharetta facility, Manus Bio’s expansion in Augusta, Science Square, Emory University, the CDC — and Georgia Life Sciences’ 10-year Life Sciences Roadmap . This recognition is exciting. But even more importantly, it validates the work happening across our entire ecosystem — and perfect momentum as we head into the 2026 Georgia Life Sciences Summit next week. Read more by visiting: Next 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters
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