High School Students study Biotech at VGCC Workshop

Four local high school students participated in the second annual Vance-Granville Community College Biotech Workshop, held over the course of two Saturdays, March 22 and March 29. VGCC Bioprocess Technology program head Dr. Danny Monroe conducted the workshop. The participating students hailed from J. F. Webb School of Health and Life Sciences and Northern Vance High School.

 

Students had the chance to work in the state-of-the-art biotech laboratory in Building 8 on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Through hands-on experience, they developed lab skills that they may use in college and in careers in scientific research, high-tech manufacturing or medicine. Among the academic and career interests expressed by students were optometry and biology.

 

Students were introduced to the basics of biotechnology through a procedure designed to produce and purify a Green Fluorescent Protein.

 

This unique opportunity for high school students was the first in a series of Camps and Workshops being held this year by the VGCC Arts and Sciences division . Others include a Creative Writing workshop for adults in April, a Science Camp for middle school students in June, and the Teenworks Drama Camp in June, which targets rising seventh graders through high school seniors.

 

For more information on Bioprocess Technology , contact Dr. Monroe at (252) 738-3232 or monroed@vgcc.edu .

 

Above: From left: VGCC Bioprocess Technology program head/instructor Dr. Danny Monroe with students Gabriela Burwell, Armani Grillo and Dayna Watkins (all of J. F. Webb School of Health and Life Sciences) and Danielle Ferens (Northern Vance High School). (VGCC photo)