By 2050, the world population will surge to 9 Billion, and feeding that growing population is a challenge that drives the global biotech community every day. In a world where already 1 Billion people suffer from hunger, we cannot let up in our efforts to develop and implement new, more sustainable agricultural practices.

Check out this video highlighting how biotech can help us feed the world.

Yesterday, our friends at BIOtechNOW posted the following information about participating in a survey about the FDA.  We encourage you to check it out:

Posted by georgeatbio on February 1st, 2010

In an ideal world, everyone would have a strong and positive relationship with the FDA. With that as a goal, PricewaterhouseCoopers has launched its fifth survey –Improving America’s Health V Survey – to gauge the working relationship between the life sciences industry and the FDA. Your feedback is important to make this survey a success.

To participate, please send an email to PricewaterhouseCoopers.and.BIOCOM@us.pwc.com with “Life Sciences FDA Survey” in the subject line. A survey will then be forwarded to you. The survey should take only 15 to 20 minutes to complete. All responses to the survey will be kept confidential and private.

Those who participate in the survey will receive a preview copy of the results prior to their public release. The survey will close on Feb. 26. Please help foster improved relations between our industry and the FDA.

As you all know, the new movie Extraordinary Measures will be opening in theaters on January 22nd. The film features Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell in an inspirational story about a father who will do anything to find a cure for his children’s disease using biotechnology.

Stories of biotechnology saving and enriching people’s lives are extraordinary, but not the exception. Share your story or the story of a biotech breakthrough with us and contribute to the Extraordinary Measures Inspirational Quilt and you could win $10,000 for your organization, charity or cause. The “quilt” is an online compilation of videos about individual stories of “strength to make their own miracles.” Once you have submitted your video for the quilt, email it to us at yourstory@iambiotech.org so we can include it on IAmBiotech.org.

Do you know someone in the biotechnology sector who is working to improve the lives of others?  If so nominate them for the Biotech Humanitarian Award.  The honoree for the Biotech Humanitarian Award will be recognized at the 2010 BIO International Convention in Chicago where they also will receive $10,000 to further their work.

We are looking to recognize the everyday heroes who are working to improve the world through biotech.  We need your help.

Nominate anyone in the biotechnology industry for this honor, including advocates, scientists, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, financiers, philanthropists, educators and others.  Nominations must be submitted by January 31^st and can be made online at iambiotech.org/award.

At the San Diego Biotech Network’s “Bootstrapping Biotech” event last month, we met some great people who are involved in the local community. Take a look at this interview with Philip Skinner, who works in drug discovery at a small biotech company.

On Wednesday November 18th from 6pm – 8:30pm, the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) will host its second annual Biotech Forum Event. The Biotech Forum is free and will feature a keynote speech by Jim Greenwood, CEO and President of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Greenwood will discuss how biotech is helping to heal, fuel and feed the world. UMBC Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Antonio “Tony” Moreira, who is also a professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, will be the host for the Biotech Forum.

UMBC organized the Biotech Forum to showcase the university’s biotech graduate programs, as well as to join the academic institution and businesses together for the benefit of the biotech community throughout Maryland, D.C. and beyond.

Participants can expect to network with people in different biotech sectors, from students and organizations to businesses and policy makers. This Forum is intended to inspire students and professionals to consider biotechnology as a career path. Dr. Moreira notes, “Biotechnology provides opportunity for almost anyone including attorneys, scientists, engineers and marketers.”

The event will include a short networking reception, Jim Greenwood’s keynote speech, followed
by a Q & A session.

To learn more about the Biotech Forum or to RSVP to the free event click here http://ennect.com/e700?
To learn more about UMBC and its biotechnology programs click here http://www.umbc.edu/biotech/
Send a question to keynote speaker Jim Greenwood, via twitter: @WCBD4U.

As middle and high school students head back to class this month, we wanted to take a look at the important issue of science education. Strong science programs are critical for preparing the next generation of innovators, and the Biotech Institute is working to ensure that students across the country have access to engaging programs that excite them about the science and its applications.

In this interview, Paul Hanle – the President of the Biotech Institute – tells us about their important work with science teachers.

by: Tracy Krughoff, BIOtech Now

Today The Scientist released its annual Life Sciences Salary Survey, showing a 5% increase in total compensation over salaries last year—an increase that exceeds the 2008 inflation rate of 3.8%. A few trends they noted in the survey:

• Academia has been enacting more involuntary furloughs or unpaid leave, which may not show up as salary reductions;
• Many students are seeking higher education rather than entering job market;
• Women’s salaries are lower than men’s salaries;
• Asian scientists holding an MS degree earned the highest salaries among the ethnic groups surveyed;
• Life sciences professionals working on either the east or west coasts earned higher salaries than compared to the middle of the country;
• The greatest percentage increase in salaries were attributed to professionals working in patents, licensing and trademarks, followed closely by clinical research; and
• The highest salaries went to tenured endocrinologists.

Check out the article HERE.