Georgia Life Sciences and U.S. Chamber Foundation Partnership Showcases Georgia Students on National Stage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

July 16, 2026, ATLANTA, GA. – Georgia Life Sciences (GLS) is proud to announce the successful completion of another year as Georgia's clearinghouse for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC) program, connecting Georgia students with life sciences employers to solve real-world industry challenges through project-based learning.

 

The EPIC program provides access to a national network of employer-facing organizations and industry partners that collaborate with educators to deliver meaningful, career-connected learning experiences. Through the initiative, students work alongside employers to develop innovative solutions to authentic business and technology challenges while gaining valuable exposure to high-demand careers.

This summer, Georgia Life Sciences partnered with industry member company Manus to sponsor an innovation challenge for students at Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy.

 

Working alongside Manus' Kevin Fox, the student team developed an AI-driven biomanufacturing management tool that leverages real-time culture data to optimize growth conditions within a bioreactor—demonstrating the intersection of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing.

 

The project was selected as one of this year's outstanding EPIC challenges, earning the student team an invitation to present their work at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's annual EPIC meeting in Washington, D.C on June 23. There, students showcased their solution before a national audience of educators, employers, workforce leaders, and business organizations from across the country.

"Programs like EPIC demonstrate the power of industry and education working together to prepare students for the careers of tomorrow," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "By engaging students in authentic industry challenges, we are not only building technical skills, but also inspiring the next generation of innovators who will help shape Georgia's future life sciences workforce."

 

The EPIC program aligns closely with Georgia Life Sciences' broader workforce development strategy, which connects K–12 education, higher education, and industry to strengthen the state's life sciences talent pipeline through hands-on learning, educator engagement, and employer partnerships.

 

Georgia Life Sciences congratulates the students and faculty of Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy, Kevin Fox, and the team at Manus for their outstanding work and national recognition.

 

About Georgia Life Sciences

Georgia Life Sciences is the state's leading life sciences industry association, representing the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, and digital health sectors. Through advocacy, workforce development, and strategic partnerships, Georgia Life Sciences works to advance innovation, strengthen the state's life sciences ecosystem, and build the workforce needed to power Georgia's growing innovation economy.

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