Maria Thacker-Goethe, Georgia Bio President and CEO, Named to “100 Most Influential Georgians” list by Georgia Trend Magazine

Atlanta, Georgia (January 11, 2021) – Georgia Bio, the state’s public policy and business solutions organization representing Georgia’s life sciences sector, announced today that President and CEO Maria Thacker-Goethe was named to Georgia Trend magazine’s “100 Most Influential Georgians” list for 2021.

“It is an incredible honor to be chosen amongst such esteemed colleagues,” said Maria Thacker-Goethe, Georgia Bio’s president and CEO. “The list contains several of our life sciences partners, exhibiting the influence and impact that our sector has on the state of Georgia. Thank you to Georgia Trend for the merit and for highlighting the importance of the life sciences to our state.”

In its 23 rd year, this year’s “100 Most Influential Georgians” list contains CEOs, politicians, college presidents, nonprofit and economic development leaders who “have risen to the challenges of the past year to help make life better for all Georgians.”

Per Georgia Trend : “Under Thacker-Goethe’s leadership, Georgia Bio cultivates a high-growth life sciences

sector vital by many measures, including the nearly 200,000 jobs and approximately $22-billion impact for Georgia. She not only brings 13-plus years of nonprofit management to the role, but also the vision and experience from her concurrent leadership roles at the Georgia BioEd Institute and Global Health Alliance.”

To read more and view the full list of recipients, click HERE.

Thacker-Goethe also serves as CEO for the Center for Global Health Innovation. Georgia Bio is a division of The Center for Global Health Innovation, an Atlanta based 501(c)3 organization that was launched in 2020 to bring together diverse Global Health, Health Technology and Life Sciences entities to collaborate, innovate and activate solutions to enhance human health outcomes around the world. ( innovateglobalhealth.org)

About Georgia Bio

Georgia Bio ( www.gabio.org) is the state’s private, non-profit life sciences association. Members include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, medical centers, universities and research institutes, government groups and other business organizations involved in the development of life sciences related products and services.

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.
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