Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences Bolsters Innovation in Health Science Education With $1.2 Million for Bay Area Programs SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences announced today that its Board of Directors has awarded 26 grants totaling $1,181,757 for science programs at educational and community-based organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. This year's class of grantees reaches hundreds of students in a wide range of innovative approaches to challenge youth in the expansive world of biotechnology. The grants awarded represent an 11 percent increase in funding as compared to the Foundation's 2004 grants. "For nearly two decades the Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences has invested millions of dollars into educational programs that spark discovery and imagination in our future health science leaders," said Herbert Boyer, Ph.D., chairman of the Foundation and Genentech co-founder. "We have new programs this year, as well as tried and true science education programs that continue to demonstrate a passion to expand the scientific knowledge of Bay Area students, most with an eye on increasing student's long-term commitment to biomedical sciences." FACES for the Future: Health Professions Internship at Children's Hospital & Research Center at Oakland, awarded a grant of $60,000 from the Foundation, is an example of real innovation. The program is a highly successful, unique approach to providing disadvantaged, minority youth with opportunities in science. FACES offers participants a three-year educational "pipeline" with career exploration, training, academic support, mentoring, psychosocial intervention and assistance and community outreach in order to better diversify the health care and biomedical workforce. "We give youth a chance to succeed. We support and prepare disadvantaged and underrepresented minority youth for the demands of college and future careers in health care of biomedical fields," remarked Dr. Barbara Staggers, co-director, FACES for the Future, Director of Adolescent Medicine. Of the initial 28 matriculating students of the FACES class of 2004, 22 students graduated from the program. One hundred percent of those 22 graduated from high school in May, 2004, all enrolled in college last fall, and all intend to pursue a career in the health professions. FACES partners with Northern California, Bay Area schools including: Life Academy, Oakland Technical High School, Skyline High School, Berkeley High School, Met West High School, Emiliano Zapata Street Academy, and McClymonds High School. Founded in 1988, Genentech funds the Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences by providing payments and royalties from license agreements under the Riggs-Itakura family of patents. The Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences has committed grants to the following organizations this year: Alameda County: - Berkeley Biotechnology Education, Inc., http://www.bbei.org/ - Chabot Space and Science Center, http://www.chabotspace.org/ - Children's Hospital and Research Center Foundation, FACES for the Future Program, http://facesforthefuture.org/ - East Bay Biotechnology Education Partnership, http://www.babec.org/partnerships_ebbep.htm - University of California, Berkeley, Program in Bioscience and Biotechnology Education, http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/projects/biosci/ Marin County: - Bay Area Discovery Museum, http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/ - Marin County Office of Education, Program in Biotechnology Education, http://www.babec.org/probe/ San Francisco County: - Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, Inc., http://www.arcsfoundation.org/NorthernCalifornia/ARCS_2.asp - Children's Day School, http://www.cds-sf.org/ - Exploratorium, http://www.exploratorium.edu/ - Gateway High School, http://www.gwhs.org/ - KIPP Bay Area Collaborative, http://www.kipp.org/ - Level Playing Field Institute, http://www.lpfi.org/ - San Francisco Biotechnology Alliance for Science Education, http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/programs/sf_base/ - San Francisco WORKS, http://www.sfworks.org/ - University of California, San Francisco, Medical Student Research Program and Diversity Encore Program, http://www.ucsf.edu/ - University of California, San Francisco, Women in Life Sciences Program San Mateo County: - Coyote Point Museum, http://www.coyoteptmuseum.org/ - San Mateo County Office of Education, Gene Connection, http://www.geneconnection.com/ - Skyline College, Expanding Your Horizons Conference, http://skylinecollege.net/eyh/credit.html Santa Clara County: - Andrew P. Hill High School, Biotechnology Academy, http://www.andrewhill.org/ - Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education, http://iisme.org/ - Santa Clara County Biotechnology Education Partnership, http://www.babec.org/SCCBEP/ - Stanford University, Medical Student Scholars Program, http://www.stanford.edu/ Solano County: - Vacaville High School, http://internal.vusd.solanocoe.k12.ca.us/Vhs/index.html Yolo County: - University of California, Davis, Center for Engineering Plants for Resistance Against Pathogens, http://www-ceprap.ucdavis.edu/ About the Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences The Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences is an independent, nonprofit organization that supports biomedical education and research in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Foundation supports educational programs at junior high and high schools, colleges and universities, museums, and community organizations that foster science education for local students, including under-represented minorities and underprivileged groups. Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences 1 DNA Way South San Francisco, CA 94080 Telephone: 650-225-8584 Fax: 650-225-2021 Directors Bruce Alberts, Ph.D. Herbert W. Boyer, Ph.D. Goery Delacote, Ph.D. Zach W. Hall, Ph.D. Edward Harris, M.D. Chairman Herbert W. Boyer, Ph.D. C.F.O. and Secretary Leo Redmond Media Contact: Erika Gabrielsen 650-467-2883 Children's Hospital Oakland: Venita Robinson 510-428-3069 DATASOURCE: Genentech, Inc. CONTACT: media, Erika Gabrielsen, +1-650-467-2883; or Venita Robinson of Children's Hospital Oakland, +1-510-428-3069 Web site: http://www.gene.com/

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