About Biotech Partners

Biotech Partners, formerly known as Berkeley Biotechnology Education, Inc./BBEI, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect youth to the world of biotechnology.  Read the name change press release. The organization coordinates a dynamic, hands-on, science-based education and job training program for students typically underrepresented in science and technology.

Established in 1993 as part of a development agreement between Bayer HealthCare and the City of Berkeley, Biotech Partners’ work today involves over 35 corporate, government, education and industry partners.  The program is expanding throughout the Bay Area and is currently implemented at Berkeley High School, the Peralta Community College District, and is expanding in Fall 2008 to Oakland Technical High School in the Oakland Unified School District. Completion of the program leads to a Certificate of Achievement in Bioscience from the Peralta Community College District.

Corporations, foundations and individuals fund Biotech Partners. The organization has been featured in The New York Times, on NBC Nightly News and in numerous reports on urban youth education and workforce development.

Since its inception, Biotech Partners has focused on helping youth successfully navigate the world of work, school and life while specifically training them for technical positions in bioscience, a growing industry that offers well-paid jobs and real opportunities for career advancement and continued education.

Biotech Partners is managed by a six-person staff that provides support to 125-150 students annually. An annual review by teachers, industry representatives and staff guides curriculum and program development to ensure that the training is aligned with trends in biotechnology and regional workforce development.

The organization is governed by a 13-person board of directors with substantial leadership experience in education, bioscience, labor, health and community development, and human resources, with additional student representatives from each school.

Board of Directors

Mr. David E. Gilbert - President
Public Affairs Manager
U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute/
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Mr. Dick Thomas - Vice President/Treasurer
Vice-President and Berkeley Site Manager (retired)
Bayer HealthCare

Ms. Teresa (Terry) Calarco - Secretary
Director and Head, BioPharma Research Operations
Novartis AG (formerly Chiron Corporation)

Mr. Max Anderson
City Council Member
City of Berkeley

Mr. Rodney Brooks

Chief of Staff, Supervisor Keith Carson

Ms. Tammy Burns Bailey*

Senior Quality Assurance Associate

Amgen, Inc.

Ms. Opal Daniels*
Technical Services Representative & Client Care Specialist
Covance Research Products

Ms. Tina Etcheverry, Ph.D.

Etch Wave Consulting

Senior Scientist & Int’l Project Team Leader (retired)

Genentech

Ms. Rebekah Hilger
Executive Director, East Bay Innovation Group (EBIG)

Director of Project Development and Business Assistance
Technology Ventures Corporation

Mr. Emmett Jones
Director, Department of Public Health (retired)
City of Berkeley

Ms. Caroline Kane, Ph.D.
Professor in Residence
Molecular and Cell Biology
University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Peter Kramer, Ph.D.

Director, Manufacturing Sciences

Bayer HealthCare

* Biotech Partners Program Alumna

For additional information, please contact Deborah Bellush, Executive Director, at (510) 705-5192.

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