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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


July 21, 2026 (ATLANTA, Ga) – Georgia Life Sciences (GLS) has named Renee' Martin, Ph.D. as Program Manager for its Teacher Training Initiative, one of the state's most established educator workforce development programs designed to prepare middle and high school teachers to introduce students to careers across Georgia's growing life sciences industry.

 

Now entering its eighth year, the initiative has trained 959 educators who have collectively reached nearly 300,000 students across Georgia. Approximately 70% of participating teachers serve Title I schools, helping expand access to high-quality life sciences education and career exploration in communities throughout the state.

 

In her new role, Martin will lead the Teacher Training Initiative, a longstanding partnership with the Georgia Department of Education that equips educators with industry knowledge, classroom resources, hands-on laboratory experiences, and connections to Georgia's life sciences ecosystem. She will also oversee the Georgia Life Sciences Equipment Depot, which provides donated laboratory equipment and educational resources to classrooms across the state.

 

"Preparing Georgia's future life sciences workforce begins by investing in our educators," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "Renee' brings an exceptional combination of classroom experience, educator leadership, and a deep understanding of Georgia's education system. Her experience supporting teachers across the state, combined with her passion for workforce development, makes her uniquely positioned to lead this important initiative as we continue expanding opportunities that connect educators, students, and Georgia's life sciences ecosystem."

 

A seasoned educator with a solid track record in agricultural and STEM education, Martin has taught and supported students and teachers across Georgia and most recently served with a Georgia Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA), where she worked with educators to strengthen instructional practices and student outcomes.

 

She earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication from the University of Georgia, where her work focused on agricultural education, educator development, and workforce preparation.

 

Beyond her professional experience, Martin has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and service through numerous roles with the University of Georgia Graduate Student Association, Designated Dawgs, the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE), and other community and professional organizations.

 

"I am honored to join Georgia Life Sciences and contribute to a program that is making a meaningful difference for educators and students across Georgia," said Martin. "Teachers play a vital role in helping students discover new opportunities and envision future careers. I look forward to working with educators and industry partners to strengthen those connections and inspire the next generation of Georgia's life sciences workforce."

 

Martin joins Georgia Life Sciences as the organization continues to expand its statewide workforce development efforts to meet the talent needs of Georgia's rapidly growing life sciences sector. Through educator training, industry partnerships, classroom resources, career awareness initiatives, and the Georgia Life Sciences Equipment Depot, the organization is helping build the skilled workforce that will power Georgia's future economy.

 

Additional information about the Georgia Life Sciences Teacher Training Initiative is available at www.galifesciences.org.

 

About Georgia Life Sciences

Georgia Life Sciences is the state's leading life sciences membership organization, representing biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, research, and life sciences service companies, along with academic institutions and ecosystem partners. Through advocacy, workforce development, and industry engagement, Georgia Life Sciences works to advance innovation, strengthen Georgia's life sciences economy, and develop the talent pipeline that powers the industry's future.

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.

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

July 16, 2026
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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