On March 25, BTEC was invited to join the Biotech Across America State Symposium in Washington, D.C. to discuss the strategic importance of strong state and local biotechnology ecosystems in bolstering national security and economic resilience.

The symposium is a continuation of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB)’s Biotech Across America Roadshow which is an ongoing effort to highlight the companies, places, and people shaping the future of U.S. biotechnology around the United States. This event was organized in partnership with the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC).

This convening comes at a critical moment for U.S. biotechnology: as artificial intelligence (AI) converges with biology, advances in the life sciences are transforming all sectors of the economy, from healthcare to agriculture to energy, and more. Our industries are increasingly being reshaped by biotech, and strengthening this sector is a national security imperative. State and regional initiatives are key to supporting the broader U.S. biotechnology industry, particularly in building workforce pipelines, supporting commercialization, and fostering greater bioliteracy. 

North Caolina was one of 19 States featured in the report and participating in the symposium. The Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) brings in almost 20 years of experience in training professionals and boosting the workforce in the life sciences sector. “We were happy to share our experiences with other organizations looking to build a stronger workforce in the biotechnology field across the nation and learn from their local needs and challenges” said BTEC’s Director of Industry Programs and Research, Dr. Jennifer Pancorbo.

“As the NSCEB has traveled around the country, we’ve discovered biotech stakeholders turning local ingenuity and talent into national strength at every stop,” said NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo. “The hard work and dedication represented at the Biotech Across America State Symposium prove that regional biotech ecosystems are the foundation for durable economic resilience. But there is more work to be done at the federal, state, and local level, and biotech voices from every corner of the nation will play a vital role in maintaining the U.S. position as the global biotechnology leader.”

About the Symposium

The Biotech Across America State Symposium builds on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology’s (NSCEB) Biotech Across America Roadshow by bringing together senior state and regional leaders from across the United States. By convening leaders with direct experience shaping biotechnology ecosystems, the symposium aims to create a forum for comparing approaches, identifying shared challenges, and highlighting strategies that can be adapted or scaled across different states. Representatives were invited from all 50 states to discuss ideas in three cross-cutting areas: talent pipeline development, commercialization efforts, and bioliteracy programs.

About the Biotech Across America Roadshow

The Commission is hitting the road to highlight biotechnology across America, including the companies, academic institutions, workforce development programs, and policy initiatives that are driving the future for this rapidly growing industry. Commissioners will continue learning about the work being done across this vibrant ecosystem while engaging on the key findings and recommendations from the Commission’s recent report to Congress.

About NSCEB

The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit: biotech.senate.gov.

About EBRC

EBRC is a non-profit, public-private partnership dedicated to bringing together an inclusive community committed to advancing engineering biology to address national and global needs. We showcase cutting-edge research in engineering biology, identify pressing challenges and opportunities in research and application, and articulate compelling research roadmaps and programs to address these challenges and opportunities.

About FAS

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) works to advance progress on a broad suite of contemporary issues where science, technology, and innovation policy can deliver transformative impact, and seeks to ensure that scientific and technical expertise have a seat at the policymaking table. Established in 1945 by scientists in response to the atomic bomb, FAS continues to bring scientific rigor and analysis to address national challenges. More information about FAS work at fas.org.

About BTEC

NC State University’s Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) has been a trusted provider of biomanufacturing education and hands-on training to university students and industry professionals since 2007. BTEC fuels the biomanufacturing industry by training the next generation of working professionals, hosting seminars and events, offering bioprocess services and more.

Contact

Jennifer Pancorbo, [email protected]