BIO Announces Creation of the George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 21, 2008) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announced creation of the George Washington Carver Award to recognize significant contributions by individuals in the field of industrial biotechnology and its application in biological engineering, environmental science, biorefining and biobased products.

This new Award is intended to honor the original vision of George Washington Carver who, over a century ago, pioneered the creation and commercialization of sustainable biobased products and materials and energy derived from renewable agricultural feed stocks. Carver’s inventions include plastics, glue, soaps, paints, dyes for cloth and leather, medicines and cosmetic ingredients made from peanuts, sweet potatoes, or other crops and agricultural residues. Today, companies are using industrial biotechnology to manufacture plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and even food ingredients from renewable agricultural resources. The George Washington Carver Award will honor individuals in the private sector, government or academia who have worked toward the important goal of using biotechnology innovation to develop sustainable biobased value-chains.

BIO is now accepting nominations for the GeorgeWashington Carver Award online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=4h1Prz7tSuFAEBOem7LOfQ_3d_3d. Nominees must be living individuals who have demonstrated significant and innovative accomplishments employing industrial biotechnology to advance a biobased economy and industrial sustainability. Written nominations should highlight the contributions the nominee has made in using biotechnology for sustainable production of biobased products, materials and energy. In addition, nominations should include examples of the pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of the nominee. The deadline for nominations is March 11, 2008.

The George Washington Carver Award will be presented during the 2008 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, to be held April 28-30, 2008 at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago. The World Congress is the only global conference dedicated solely to the most recent advancements in industrial biotechnology. For more information about the World Congress, visit http://www.bio.org/worldcongress2008/.