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Cox Mill students learn from biotech insider

By Jessica Groover | Independent Tribune

Published: September 11, 2009

CONCORD — Biotechnology is not just about putting on a lab coat, Jonathan Mark told students of the biotechnology class at Cox Mill High School during a visit on Thursday.

"I think (students) are running into (biotechnology) all the time, and they don't know," said Mark, business development manager for AmeriStart, before class. "They watch 'CSI' or 'Bones' or hear about a new crop."

Throughout his lesson, Mark told students that consultants from shows, like "CSI," have visited biotechnology companies for research because characters have related jobs.

He also told them that those who had even a little experience with biotechnology had gone onto careers such as lawyers or writers, and they are not all scientists.

"Anyone see 'Jurassic Park?'" Mark asked. "The writer of that (Michael Crichton) was a biotech guy."

Mark even confessed that he was not much of a science person in school but did well in chemistry and was inspired by a teacher.

As he told students about the various jobs he had in the biotechnology field, Mark dispelled several myths.

Mark told them that they did not need to earn a doctoral degree to have a career in the field, and he said he traveled often for several jobs and was not always working in the lab.

Hearing that biotechnology careers were not all spent in a lab was surprising for several students.

"I learned that biotechnology is more than just a lab, DNA and samples," said junior Breyanna Neal. "(It was surprising) that you can travel as much."

Mark also showed related videos and told students about various uses for biotechnology. For example, mass spectrometry, which he said weighs molecules, is the technology used to test athletes for steroids.

Mark was one of many in the biotechnology field who will visit the class this year as a way for students to learn about the subject and how it relates to the real world, said biotechnology teacher Tyrone Williams.

"It's a very old science, and they are learning a lot about that and how biotech affects them everyday," Williams said.

After Mark ended his lesson, several students approached him to ask more about biotechnology.

"They were still in his face about it," Williams said. "I can see that he sparked interest related to the biotechnology field."