Year in Review 2022
REP. SETH MOULTON VISITS GMGI
January 2022
State Representative Seth Moulton visits GMGI for tours of the research institute and Gloucester Biotechnology Academy. Congressman Moulton has been a supporter of GMGI’s efforts to secure American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, allowing us to both expand the reach of our unique workforce training program to career-compromised young adults and conduct innovative genomics research.
DR. STEVE PALUMBI JOINS SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
February 2022
Steve Palumbi, Ph.D., a faculty member at Stanford University and the Jane and Marshall Steel Jr. Professor of Marine Sciences and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment, joins the GMGI Scientific Advisory Board.
GMGI HOSTS A PRESS BRIEFING FOR BIOCONNECTS NEW ENGLAND
March 2022
Jared Auclair and Alicia Sasser Modestino of Northeastern University, State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Senator Bruce Tarr, and Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga attend a press briefing at GMGI’s Gloucester Biotechnology Academy for BioConnects New England, a multi-state coalition and finalist for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge -- a $1 billion competitive grant program sponsored by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
GMGI DONORS HONORED AT ACADEMY
GMGI reveals a newly installed donor wall at Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, highlighting corporations, foundations and private philanthropists that have generously contributed to GMGI’s success.
RESARCH TEAM VISITS SEACOAST SCIENCE CENTER
March 2022
Research Scientist Tim O’Donnell and Senior Research Associate Jennifer Polinski visit New Hampshire’s Seacoast Science Center where they take samples of several beautiful color morph lobsters. They use these samples to compare the genomes of color morphs with those of normal lobsters to see if we can identify mutations that give them their striking colors.
ACADEMY STUDENTS BEGIN INTERNSHIPS
March 2022
Students in the Academy’s Class of 2022 start their three-month industry internship at companies such as Seismic Therapeutics, Sherlock Biosciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Synlogic.
GMGI WINS ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARD
April 2022
GMGI takes home two MassEcon awards at the 18th annual Team Massachusetts Economic Impact awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium: the Workforce Innovation Award, as well as the Silver Medal for Economic Impact in the Northeast. GMGI is recognized for its workforce development efforts in the Commonwealth through our Gloucester Biotechnology Academy -- and for contributions to the Massachusetts economy, commitment to growth and expansion, as well as for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
GMGI TEAM GROWS BY FOUR
In early 2022, the GMGI team grows by four: Teaching Assistant and Laboratory Technician Madeleine Harlan, Academy Intern Reanna McAtee, Director of Finance and Administration Lisa Tobais, and Director of Partnerships and Enrollment Laura Richane.
SEA URCHINS AS MODELS FOR AGING RESEARCH TEAM PRESENTS AT MBL CONFERENCE
April 2022
GMGI’s Donald G. Comb Science Director Andrea Bodnar and Postdoctoral Scientist Kate Castellano attend the 26th Developmental Biology of Sea Urchins and other Marine Invertebrates conference hosted at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, presenting exciting new results from GMGI’s Sea Urchins as Models for Aging research program.
GHS STUDENTS PILOT NEW SUMMER STEM COURSE
April 2022
Members of Gloucester High School's Gender and Equity in STEM club pilot Gloucester Biotechnology Academy’s new Summer STEM Enrichment course, Mean Glow Green. The program gives students the opportunity to learn how to grow and extract green fluorescent protein in our new biomanufacturing learning environment.
MBI AWARDS GMGI WITH $25,000 CHALLENGE GRANT
May 2022
Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives awards GMGI a $25,000 “Building a Diverse Biomanufacturing Workforce Pipeline” Challenge Grant in partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. The grant supports the expansion of GMGI’s Gloucester Biotechnology Academy program with a goal to reach more students, supporting the shared mission of MBI and GMGI to increase diversity in STEM.
GMGI SCIENCE FORUM RETURNS
May 2022
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, GMGI hosts the popular Science Forum event with attendees from across the country. The day-long symposium held in Gloucester High School’s auditorium, features talks by leading scientists and researchers on a variety of marine research topics with opportunities for conversation, networking and collaboration.
GMGI JOINS BIOCONNECTS NEW ENGLAND IN WASHINGTON DC
June 2022
Executive Director Chris Bolzan joins Bioconnects New England coalition team members Dr. Zach Perry and Dr. Jared Auclair for the nation’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge Summer Conference in Washington DC. Over 3 days finalist teams connect and collaborate on regional solutions to drive inclusive economic growth in America.
ACADEMY GRADUATES SIXTH CLASS
June 2022
Congratulations! Members of the Class of 2022 graduate in a special ceremony at the Cape Ann Museum with an inspiring keynote address from MLSC President Kenn Turner.
THE BIG WAIVE
July 2022
In an effort to provide access to STEM careers for all young adults, GMGI waives all Gloucester Biotechnology Academy tuition for the class of 2023. Incoming students have the chance to enroll in the program for free with needs-based stipends available to those who qualify.
ACADEMY TAKES FISH FRAUD ON THE ROAD
August 2022
Academy instructors travel to South Boston to teach the Summer STEM enrichment program to a new group of high school students. Students extract DNA, complete PCR protocols, and get a visit from Boston City Council President Ed Flynn.
NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM VISITS GMGI
August 2022
New England Aquarium Scientists visit GMGI to tour the institute. They meet with members of the research team to discuss both organizations' research, and to brainstorm future collaborations.
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER GIVES TALK AT GMGI
August 2022
GMGI researchers Jennifer Polinski and Matt Harke, Ph.D. join local underwater photographer Andrew Martinez to share the beauty of the Gulf of Maine through amazing underwater photographs. They demonstrate how genomic tools like eDNA and DNA sequencing can uncover biodiversity that cannot be seen with a lens.
GMGI CONTINUES TO GROW
GMGI continues to expand with the addition of Executive Assistant Stephanie Clark and three Teaching Assistants and Lab Technicians, Zach Dench, Mel Drexler and Kristen Lewis.
GMGI RESEARCHERS JOIN THIRD YOUNG EXPLORERS PROGRAM
September 2022
Matt Harke, Ph.D., and Jennifer Polinski set sail on OceanX’s OceanXplorer for the organization’s third installment of the Young Explorers Program. Matt and Jennifer are joined by a group of 12 college students from across the country, helping to fostering a passion and curiosity for the ocean.
LAUREN LISS JOINS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 2022
Gloucester resident Lauren Liss, an attorney focused on environmental law and policy, as well as on real estate development, joins the GMGI Board of Directors.
CAPE ANN SAVINGS BANK RIDES BIG WAIVE
September 2022
Cape Ann Savings Bank donates $150K in support of GMGI and the Academy. This generous donation helps to underwrite the Academy’s “Big Waive” tuition structure which provides program at no cost to students.
CONVENING CAPE ANN BIOTECH NETWORK
September 2022
As part of GMGI’s Science Community efforts, board members Laura Sen and John O’Connor host folks at their home from the community with life sciences ties to discuss the growing biotech and life sciences network on Cape Ann.
LT. GOVERNOR VISITS ACADEMY DURING STEM WEEK
October 2022
As part of 2022's STEM Week, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito tours the Academy's new biomanufacturing learning environment and speaks with members of the Class of 2023. Lt. Governor Polito is joined by Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President Kenn Turner, Commonwealth Corporation President Christine Abrams, and industry partners.
GMGI RESEARCH TEAM VISITS NORTHEASTERN NAHANT CAMPUS
October 2022
Members of the GMGI research team travel down the coast to the Marine Science Center at Northeastern University on Nahant to meet with members of the Coastal Sustainability Institute team and discuss exciting research advances and areas of future collaboration.
GMGI RECEIVES $579K WORKFORCE CAPITAL GRANT FROM MLSC
October 2022
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center announces that GMGI receives a $578,824 Workforce Development Capital Grant to enhance the new biomanufacturing curriculum at the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy. This allows GMGI to add cutting-edge equipment to the newly expanded Academy training program and graduate students with a comprehensive biomanufacturing skillset.
GMGI PARTNERING WITH NEW LIFE SCIENCES JOB TRAINING PAVILION
October 2022
Lincoln Property Company announces GMGI -- and Gloucester Biotechnology Academy -- as a non-profit partner in their planned the South Boston Waterfront Life Sciences Pavilion.
GMGI STAFF GIVE BACK AT LOCAL NONPROFIT
November 2022
During the season of giving GMGI staff volunteer at The Open Door, packing groceries for local families.
SECOND ANNUAL EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
November 2022
For the second year in a row, November sees thought leaders from higher education, community organizations, and life sciences come together for GMGI’s Education & Workforce Development Conference. Keynote remarks are delivered by John Balchunas, Workforce Director of NIIMBL. Participants from organizations such as LabCentral Ignite, Roxbury Community College, the Cape Ann YMCA, MLSC, Just-A-Start, Life Science Cares and MassBioEd engage in panel discussions and working groups to explore topics that are reshaping the biotech sector.
FALL 2022 SCIENCE HOUR SEASON KICKS OFF
November 2022
After a brief summer break, the GMGI Science Hour returns with a talk on the fascinating world of shark brains from University of North Carolina Wilmington Associate Professor, Dr. Kara E. Yopak.
DOUBLE THE STUDENTS, DOUBLE THE FUN!
November 2022
For the first time, Gloucester Biotechnology Academy houses more than 40 students at one time as the second cohort of the Class of 2023 begins the ten-month journey into the life sciences.
CHRIS BOLZAN JOINS NSTC PANEL
November 2022
Executive Director Chris Bolzan shares her career journey and insights into working in the life sciences while participating in “The Journey of Women Intersecting in the Industries of Sustainability, Technology and Life Sciences.” The event is hosted by the North Shore Tech Council.
GMGI TEAM GAINS TWO MORE
November 2022
To round out the year, GMGI welcomes Postdoctoral Scientist Riss Kellogg and Chief of Staff Sarah O’Connell.
GMGI RESEARCHERS ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCES
Over the course of the year, GMGI researchers participate in conferences across the country, sharing expertise and networking with potential collaborators. Conferences include: the 2nd National Workshop on Environmental DNA in Costa Mesa, CA; the Mechanisms of Aging Conference in Cold Spring Harbor, NY; the Aquatic Models of Human Disease Conference at MBL in Woods Hole, MA; Epigenetics in Marine Science Conference at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, MA; and the 17th Flatfish Biology Conference in Westbrook, CT.
INFLUENTIAL MEMBERS ADDED TO GMGI LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
November 2022
GMGI adds six new members to the Leadership Council: Jim Bacon, John Connolly, George Marsh, Marianne Smith, Ann Marie Viglione, and Glen Warren.
NORTHEASTERN TO OFFER ACADEMY STUDENTS COLLEGE CREDIT
December 2022
Northeastern University offers Gloucester Biotechnology Academy graduates up to 11 transfer credits towards the university’s Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology program. This provides graduates with a flexible option to complete a bachelor’s degree and advance their careers in the life sciences.