Three seniors in the Delaware Area Career Center’s Biotechnology lab testified Nov. 5 before the Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee, gaining real-world experience on the policy side of the life sciences industry.
C.J. Alexander (Buckeye Valley HS), Maxine Rojas-Bruno (Olentangy Orange HS) and Phillip Pitzer (Olentangy Berlin HS) each testified on behalf of Senate Bill 111, which would declare Oct. 4 “Henrietta Lacks Day” in the state of Ohio.
Lacks, an African-American woman from Maryland who died of cervical cancer on Oct. 4, 1951, remains a transformative figure in the world of science and medicine today. Her cancer cells (now known as HeLa cells) were the first human cells that could be grown indefinitely in a lab.
This ‘immortal’ quality made them a cornerstone for countless scientific discoveries, including the development of the polio vaccine; advancements in cancer, AIDS, and virus research; gene mapping and understanding cell behavior; testing the effects of radiation, drugs, and toxins; and more.
Lacks’ cells revolutionized medicine, but they were also taken without her consent, sparking lasting discussions about ethics, privacy, and equity in biomedical research. Alexander, Rojas-Bruno and Pitzer testified Nov. 5 about the importance of honoring Lacks’ scientific legacy and ensuring her story will be told for generations to come.
“I feel proud, happy, excited,” DACC Biotechnology Instructor Tom Dyer said. “It’s just awesome. One of the things we focus on at DACC is ‘employability’ skills – making sure our students are developing the intangibles, the soft skills necessary to become well-rounded professionals. I can’t think of a better way to put those on display than by doing what our students did at the Statehouse.”
The Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee is made up of seven Ohio senators. Bills heard there are then passed on to the full Senate for approval, before reaching the Governor’s desk.
The DACC seniors each wrote their own testimony, and practiced reciting it in front of their Biotechnology classmates earlier in the week, in preparation for their morning at 1 Capitol Square.
“They expressed themselves in a professional way, and expressed their points in an eloquent fashion,” Dyer said. “I loved seeing that part of it.”
This opportunity was made possible through DACC’s partnership with Ohio Life Sciences, the industry association representing the interests of Ohio's nearly 5,000 life sciences establishments.
Alexander, Pitzer and Rojas-Bruno have had the opportunity to visit the Statehouse several times this fall, alongside OLS Director of Policy Willa Bluestone. Bluestone has introduced the trio to state lawmakers and has allowed them to sit in on science-related committee hearings. She has also given the students a tour of OLS’ downtown headquarters, introducing them to members of the organization and to area business leaders in the life sciences industry.
“It's a different side of science,” Dyer said. “Our goal behind this is to help them understand the significance of policy-making in science and why it's important. It’s about providing them an opportunity to get out and learn more about that part of it.”
Bluestone said she has been impressed by the DACC seniors’ professionalism throughout the semester, and Nov. 5 was no exception.
“I could not be prouder of these students for sharing their testimony,” Bluestone said. “Their poise, preparation, and passion remind me why engaging students in advocacy and policy matters so deeply.”
All three DACC seniors are interested in pursuing careers in either science or healthcare. They said the opportunity to learn more about the policy side of the industry this fall – and to engage in it like they did on Nov. 5 – has added a new dimension to their learning.
"Being able to testify about a bill that would not only help the STEM field, but also people of color, was honorable,” Rojas-Bruno said. “I feel really accomplished in being able to speak on this important topic, and be able to use my own knowledge and experience to help out.”
“This was an amazing opportunity to speak about a subject I feel so passionately about,” Alexander said. “I am incredibly thankful for this chance to represent Ohio Life Sciences, Delaware Area Career Center, and all of the students in Ohio who wish to have their voices heard.”
"There are more sides to biotechnology than just the lab,” Pitzer said, “and getting to experience the policy side has been very fun and rewarding."