Georgia Bio Names South Forsyth High School Junior as 2022 Georgia BioGENEius Winner

Mokshith Mannuru Advances to International Competition Against Top Students

Georgia Bio and the BioEd Institute named  Mokshith Mannuru , a junior at South Forsyth High School in Cumming, GA, as the winner of the 2022 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge. The BioGENEius Challenge is the premier competition for high school students that recognizes outstanding research and innovation in the biotechnology field. As Georgia’s BioGENEius finalist, Mokshith will attend the 2022 International BioGENEius competition, which will be held during the 2022 BIO International Convention, the industry’s trade conference from June 13-16 in San Diego, CA. There he will engage with leading companies, scientists and innovators currently transforming the scientific landscape and gain valuable insights into an industry making significant contributions to the world.

While in San Diego, Mokshith will compete against high school students from the U.S., Canada, and Germany in the International BioGENEius Challenge. The student projects will represent a range of biotechnology topics such as healthcare, agriculture, and the environment.

Mokshith’s project uses bioinformatics to identify the common function of genes that are related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Over 1,000 genes are evidenced to contribute to ASD but are not understood well enough to use genetics in diagnosing or treating ASD. Mokshith hypothesized that these genes contribute to human development and would therefore affect development if a copy of the gene were faulty. He used data from the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) to observe the phenotypes of mice where the ASD genes that are also found in mice were knocked out (deleted). The missing genes were found to strongly affect development or behavior, or lead to embryonic lethality. ASD patients would have one mutated copy of a gene related to ASD and one normal copy. This research suggests several pathways and development processes that attribute to ASD and could be used to validate ASD mouse models that are used in biomedical research.

“The level of competition in Georgia was at an all-time high this year,” said Georgia Bio President and CEO Maria Thacker. “Georgia Bio is thrilled to have Mokshith represent our state on the international stage at the upcoming BIO Convention, and we are proud to support this Georgia scholar in his future endeavors.”

Georgia Bio also congratulates the Georgia BioGENEius runner-up,  Varun Sendilraj ,who is a senior at Lambert High School in Suwanee, GA. Varun developed a mobile app, DFUCare, which uses deep-learning algorithms to diagnose, analyze and monitor Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) in diabetes patients. DFU is a major complication of diabetes mellitus that can lead to amputation and mortality if left untreated. Caring for DFU can be expensive and time consuming, which limits treatment options for many patients around the globe. DFUCare quantifies the size of wounds, performs tissue analysis, and detects healing potential over time. It can also allow doctors and patients to share medical reports with experts, saving time and resources for treating diabetic foot ulcers.

Judging the 2022 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge were Jamie L. Graham, Boehringer Ingelheim; Ralph L. Cordell, CDC; Ian Biggs, UGA; and Alex Harvey, ViaMune, Inc.

“I am amazed at the quality and thoughtfulness of the projects on display,” said Ian Biggs of UGA’s Innovation Gateway. “The insights displayed, and the obvious effort put into the projects is way beyond my expectations.”

National and International winners will be announced after the competition. See the  International BioGENEius website  for more information on the 2022 schedule. Winners will receive cash scholarships.

Follow the BioGENEius Challenge:  Throughout the challenge, @BiotechInstitut will be tweeting interviews, photos, and engaging with the biotechnology community by using the hashtag #BioGENEius.

About the Biotechnology Institute

The Biotechnology Institute is an independent, national nonprofit organization dedicated to education about the present and future impact of biotechnology. Its mission is to engage, excite and educate the public, particularly students and teachers, about biotechnology and its immense potential for solving human health, food and environmental problems. For more information, visit  www.biotechinstitute.org.

About the BioEd Institute

The BioEd Institute, a division of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit the Center for Global Health Innovation, works to strengthen Georgia’s life sciences workforce pipeline through classroom-to-career initiatives that align with industry needs. BioEd works closely with its sister organization Georgia Bio, which serves the state’s life science industry. For more information about BioEd, visit them online at  www.georgiabioed.org, or on Facebook (@GeorgiaBioEd), Twitter (@georgiabioed), or LinkedIn (@georgia-bioed).

Contacts

Kristin Boscan
585.943.8699
kboscan@cghi.org

Students can attend the Georgia Life Sciences Summit for just $150?

August 7, 2026
One of the biggest benefits of becoming a Georgia Life Sciences Student Member is access to discounted registration for Georgia's premier life sciences conference—bringing together CEOs, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from across the state. Better yet, Student Membership is only $25 per year , making it one of the best investments you can make in your future. The Georgia Life Sciences Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) is the official student membership community of Georgia Life Sciences, created to connect students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career professionals with Georgia's thriving life sciences ecosystem. As an ELN member, you'll build meaningful peer-to-peer relationships, engage with industry leaders, explore career opportunities, and gain access to professional development programs designed to help you launch a successful career in the life sciences. As a member, you'll have opportunities to: Connect with fellow students, postdocs, and emerging professionals from across Georgia. Expand your network through peer-to-peer engagement and professional networking events. Learn from industry leaders and gain exposure to Georgia's life sciences ecosystem. Participate in workforce and career development programming. Access Career Connections Student members also receive exclusive access to the Georgia Life Sciences Career Connections LinkedIn Group , where you can: Discover internships and job opportunities. Connect with employers, recruiters, and industry professionals. Stay informed about career fairs, networking events, and workforce initiatives. Engage with a growing community of future life sciences leaders. Student Member Benefits Georgia Life Sciences Student Membership: $25/year Georgia Life Sciences Summit Registration: $150 Access to the Emerging Leaders Network Career Connections LinkedIn Group Networking events and professional development opportunities Industry news, workforce resources, and member communications Whether you're exploring careers in biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, digital health, or research, Georgia Life Sciences connects you to the people and opportunities that can help shape your future. Join today . Build your network. Advance your career.

Who will be Presenting at the Georgia Life Sciences Summit Startup Showcase

August 6, 2026
From breakthrough therapeutics to next-generation medical technologies, tomorrow's innovators take the stage at the Georgia Life Sciences Summit. Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, the Startup Showcase will highlight eight of Georgia's most promising early-stage life sciences companies as they present their innovations during the Summit Luncheon on August 26. These emerging companies are tackling some of healthcare's biggest challenges across therapeutics, diagnostics, AI, and medical technology, while demonstrating the depth of innovation taking place throughout Georgia's life sciences ecosystem. Meet the 2026 Startup Showcase Companies: Abundance Biopharma Corporation Athna Biotech Atomistic Insights NovAb Nytricx Oridivus TremeBio YoungHeartValve Following the presentations, each company will participate in a live investor Q&A featuring an exceptional panel of venture leaders: Emily Dinu, Numinous Capital John Gutierrez, Ascenta Capital Dr. Emma Heckenberg, Solas BioVentures Patrick Jordan, NovaQuest Capital Management Tim Opler, Stifel Whether you're an investor looking for the next breakthrough, a corporate leader seeking innovative partners, or simply interested in the future of life sciences, the Startup Showcase offers a front-row seat to the companies poised to shape what's next. Join us August 25–26 at the Georgia Life Sciences Summit and discover the next generation of innovators driving Georgia's life sciences economy.

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.
MORE POSTS