Whitehead Institute For Biomedical Research

Programs: Whitehead institute for biomedical research is an independent nonprofit research and teaching institution located in cambridge, massachusetts. The institute was incorporated in 1981 to promote and expand human knowledge in the biomedical and other scientific fields with the ultimate goal of improving human health and well-being. The research of the institute focuses on basic biological processes investigated mainly from a molecular or cellular perspective. Research is conducted in several areas, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, regenerative biology, immunology and genetics. The research of the institute is conducted under the leadership of principal investigators who hold joint appointments to the faculties of the institute and massachusetts institute of technology ("mit") (the "institute faculty"). The members of the institute faculty are recognized leaders in their fields. The institute faculty include three recipients of the national medal of science, five howard hughes medical institute investigators, nine members of the national academy of sciences and five members of the institute of medicine. For more than three decades, whitehead institute has maintained a steadfast commitment to science education and outreach by offering programs to enhance science teaching and learning for the entire community. With a variety of programs ranging in scope from lectures and workshops for teachers and students to special events for non-scientists, whitehead offers its participants first-hand exposure to state-of-the-art research. These programs include: seminar series for high school teachers - this monthly program provides educators and opportunity to explore topics at the forefront of biomedical research. The series begins in october and lectures are held the first monday of every month through june. Spring lecture series for high school students - this program, held during the public school spring vacation week, features lectures from leading scientific experts, hands-on laboratory demonstrations, visits to local biotechnology companies, and interactions with young whitehead institute scientists. Science weeks for middle school students - whitehead institute has developed immersive, week-long programs for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders featuring hands-on activities, classroom lessons, and interactions with scientists. Two such sessions are held in the summer months; a third, focusing on the science of forensics in criminal investigations, occurs in february. Biology week - as a service to the scientific community, whitehead institute hosts biology week, a web-based calendar of biology seminars and symposia in the boston/cambridge area. Public program collaborations - whitehead institute routinely partners with various research institutions and biotechnology organizations in coordinating educational programming for high school students, teachers, and scientists.