Education And Opportunity Mark Strength Of Atlanta Biotech Industry

A skilled workforce is the engine that will drive growth across America’s biotechnology industry, and Atlanta has built multi-faceted training programs that are developing and sustaining the talent pipeline for everything from advanced laboratory research to industrial biomanufacturing.

March 13, 2026 - Atlanta, Georgia – Today, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) traveled to Atlanta for its second Georgia stop on the Biotech Across America Roadshow. Commissioners Paul Arcangeli, Dawn Meyerriecks, and Dov Zakheim visited a biotechnology workforce training center and a cutting-edge research facility to learn more about the innovation, policy, and the unique opportunities for biotech in Atlanta. Workforce development initiatives were key recommendations in the NSCEB’s April 2025 action plan for Congress to boost the U.S. biotech industry and strengthen national security.

 

“America’s biotechnology leadership will ultimately depend on people as much as technology,” said NSCEB Commissioner Paul Arcangeli. “The Commission’s action plan makes it clear that building and maintaining a pipeline of skilled workers—from the trades to advanced laboratory research—is essential for actually scaling innovation. We have the talent, and in Atlanta, they have the opportunities needed to drive their success.”

 

“Biotechnology has immense job-creating power across the American economy,” said NSCEB Commissioner Dawn Meyerriecks. “Atlanta is a show of force when it comes to biomanufacturing job creation and this formula is repeatable in communities all over the country. These types of jobs will bring growth and prosperity to towns and cities in every state.”

 

“To move discoveries from lab to market, we need a talented workforce prepared to work at the leading edge of biotech innovation,” said NSCEB Commissioner Dov Zakheim. “The opportunities in Atlanta are shaping the next generation of biotechnology innovators and developing a legacy of leadership when it comes to training the future workforce.”

 

“Georgia’s life sciences sector is helping strengthen America’s national security by expanding domestic biomanufacturing capacity, advancing biotechnology innovation, and building a highly skilled workforce,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO, Georgia Life Sciences. “We were honored to host the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology and showcase how Georgia’s collaborative ecosystem—spanning industry, research institutions, and workforce training partners—is driving the next generation of the bioeconomy. The work happening across our state demonstrates how regional leadership in biotechnology directly contributes to national resilience and global competitiveness.”

 

Event Details:

Commissioners first visited the Georgia Bioscience Training Center in Covington. The facility is part of a public-private partnership with the State of Georgia to drive biomanufacturing training opportunities in the region. The center provides customized life science industry training and is helping attract more biotech business to Georgia. Partnerships like this are critical to biotech industry growth and the NSCEB’s research highlights how stronger public-private partnerships contribute not only to industry growth, but to greater innovation and improved economic resilience.

 

In Atlanta, Commissioners visited the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing (CMaT) at Georgia Tech where they met students from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation, and the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) program. Access to the NSF facility and the training opportunities for ARCS participants are transformative advantages for regional biotech businesses.

 

At the end of the day, Commissioners joined a roundtable discussion on Georgia’s biotech ecosystem. Biotech industry leaders, representatives from academia, and state officials discussed how innovation in biotechnology is shaping the future direction of the industry, workforce development, and educational needs. They also discussed state and federal policy issues impacting industry growth both in Georgia and across the country.

 

Participants Included: 

 

  • Accuitis
  • Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation
  • Andson Biotech
  • ArunA Biomedical
  • Emory University
  • Focused Cryo, Inc.
  • Frugal Science Academy
  • Georgia Bioscience Training Center
  • Georgia Department of Economic Development
  • ·Georgia Life Sciences
  • Georgia Life Sciences Institute
  • Georgia Quick Start
  • Georgia Research Alliance
  • Georgia Tech
  • GeoVax
  • Lambert High School iGEM team
  • Micron Biomedical
  • Moonlight Therapeutics
  • NSF Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies
  • Nutrivert
  • Office of U.S. Representative Lucy McBath
  • Soal Therapeutics
  • Takeda
  • TopoDx
  • UCB



Biotech Across America Roadshow 

The Commission is hitting the road to highlight biotechnology across America, including the companies, academic institutions, workforce development programs, and policy initiatives that are driving the future for this rapidly growing industry. Commissioners will continue learning about the work being done across this vibrant ecosystem while engaging on the key findings and recommendations from the Commission’s recent report to Congress. 

 

About NSCEB: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit: biotech.senate.gov. 

 

Contacts: 

NSCEB: press@biotech.senate.gov 

Georgia Life Sciences Applauds Congressman McCormick for Introducing Federal Biotech Leadership Legislation

July 24, 2026
July 24, 2026, Atlanta, GA - Georgia Life Sciences applauds Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA) for introducing the Biotechnology Diplomacy Leadership Act , legislation designed to strengthen America's leadership in biotechnology by establishing a senior biotechnology leadership position within the U.S. Department of State. As biotechnology continues to drive breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and national security, the United States must remain a global leader in innovation while strengthening strategic partnerships with allies around the world. The proposed legislation recognizes biotechnology as a critical component of U.S. economic competitiveness and foreign policy and would help ensure that the federal government is well positioned to advance these priorities internationally. The legislation also reflects recommendations from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology , which called for a more coordinated national approach to advancing biotechnology and protecting U.S. leadership in this strategically important sector. "Georgia is home to one of the nation's fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems, and policies that strengthen America's global biotechnology leadership directly benefit innovators, researchers, manufacturers, and patients," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "We appreciate Congressman McCormick's leadership in recognizing biotechnology as both an economic engine and a strategic national priority." Georgia Life Sciences looks forward to working with policymakers at both the federal and state levels to advance policies that foster innovation, strengthen the U.S. bioeconomy, and ensure America remains the global leader in biotechnology.

Georgia Life Sciences Names Renee' Martin, Ph.D., Program Manager to Lead Flagship Educator Workforce Development Program

July 21, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences names Renee Martin, Ph.D., to lead its Teacher Training Initiative, advancing educator workforce development and Georgia's future life sciences talent pipeline.

Georgia Life Sciences Partnership Expands Plant Biotechnology Education for Agriscience Teachers Across Georgia

July 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 16, 2026 ATLANTA, Ga . – Eighteen Georgia high school agriscience teachers recently participated in a hands-on plant tissue culture training at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, equipping educators with biotechnology skills and classroom resources that will expand access to experiential STEM learning for students across the state. Hosted through a partnership led by Georgia Life Sciences (GLS), the workshop was facilitated by Julie Throne, Agriscience Teacher, FFA Advisor, and CTAE Department Chair at Cedar Shoals High School. Participants received practical instruction in plant tissue culture techniques using newly developed portable tissue culture kits generously donated by California-based Athena Ag. Plant tissue culture is a foundational biotechnology technique used in agriculture and plant science research to propagate plants under aseptic conditions. By incorporating these concepts into agriscience classrooms, educators can provide students with hands-on experiences that introduce biotechnology while building technical skills relevant to careers in agriculture and biotechnology. As part of the workshop, each participating teacher received two complete plant tissue culture kits to take back to their school, enabling students throughout Georgia to engage in laboratory-based biotechnology activities and explore emerging career pathways in the life sciences. "Providing educators with access to industry-relevant training and classroom resources is one of the most effective ways to inspire the next generation of Georgia's life sciences workforce," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "Through partnerships like this, we're helping teachers bring real-world biotechnology into their classrooms while expanding opportunities for students to discover careers in one of Georgia's fastest-growing industries." The training is part of Georgia Life Sciences' broader Teacher Training Initiative, a statewide workforce development program that equips middle and high school educators with the knowledge, tools, and industry connections needed to deliver hands-on biotechnology instruction. Through strategic partnerships with industry, education, and nonprofit organizations, the initiative continues to strengthen Georgia's talent pipeline by connecting classroom learning with real-world workforce opportunities. Georgia Life Sciences extends its appreciation to Julie Throne for leading the training and to Athena for its generous donation of classroom kits, helping expand access to biotechnology education for educators and students across the state.
MORE POSTS