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.

The Biotech Partners mission is to help youth from populations underrepresented in the sciences navigate the worlds of work, school and life through a biotechnology-focused curriculum, including job training and internships, that provides access to fulfilling well-paid careers in bioscience and increases opportunities for higher education.

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, Oakland Technical High School, and the Peralta Community College District. Completion of the program leads to a Certificate of Achievement in Bioscience.

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 150-200 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

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

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

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

Mr. Rodney Brooks - Secretary

Chief of Staff, Supervisor Keith Carson

Mr. Peter Kramer, Ph.D. - Industry Liaison

Director, Manufacturing Sciences

Bayer HealthCare

Mr. Max Anderson
City Council Member
City of Berkeley

Ms. Tammy Bailey*

Senior Quality Assurance Associate

Amgen, Inc.

Ms. Tina Etcheverry, Ph.D.

Etch Wave Consulting

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

Genentech

Ms. Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D.

Cooperative Extension Specialist

Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

University of California, Berkeley

Ms. Susan Lucas

Department Head, Production

DOE Joint Genome Institute

* Biotech Partners Program Alumna

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