Science is essentially the backbone of our society, and there’s no clearer evidence than now, as we saw scientists across the globe race to find the vaccine for Covid-19. Furthermore, it’s important that the younger generation continue the research for further groundbreaking scientific innovation and research. On March 1st from 12 P.M. to 1 P.M., a virtual panel discussion was held by three of ACP High School’s Biotech students with ASU and the Department of Defense as an opportunity for the youth to delve into the world of science. Today, we’ll be interviewing Ahmad Riyad, a member of the Class of 2023, about the panel which discussed “Biotechnology Research and Careers.”

Q: When did you start to get into biotechnology and what made you invest in it further? Is there a certain reason to be one of the hosts of this panel?

A: What made me start to become interested in biotechnology was really a sudden immersion into biology that was offered at ACP. I was always involved with the STEM curriculum; however, I had the opportunity to become immersed with more and more classes. From taking AP Bio, I had the chance to work with a minuscule aspect of biotechnology -electrophoresis. Just the taste of being able to work with real DNA and handling it utilizing pipettes, agar solution etc. interested me quite a bit and fueled my ambition to work in the technical-engineering aspect of biology. My own project, dealing with tissue scaffolding and it’s application, pushed my ambition further within biotech. A great reason to be one of the hosts was to explain the usages of biotechnology and how it’s application is generally necessary in our changing word.

Q: How has the world of biotech opened your eyes and made you look at the world in a different perspective? Is there anything that the scientific field has done to help you grow and develop as your own person?

As a child, I had always examined my surroundings, myself, and interactions between the alike. Biotechnology focuses on the semantics of real-world mechanics, which has been an amazing eye-opener for me. Instead of dwelling on issues which seem un-fixable on the surface level, I’m able to solve and articulate my own idea,; problems surrounding these scenarios could include, the recent pandemic, world hunger, disease etc. The scientific field has essentially facilitated my fascination within biotech and the biomedical engineering field. Having new innovations in technologies and methods creates a sort of database one is able to utilize to cultivate his or her own experiment as an individual.

Being in this generation has allowed us to understand and grow with technology at an incredibly alarming rate compared to older generations, and because of this, it allows the youth of this era to access and comprehend scientific innovations and even continue to build on it for the years to come. Biotechnology has given way to so many amazing things like genetically modified organisms, cloning, and vaccines, and all of these concepts have now been implemented in our day-to-day lives, like how we essentially clone Cavendish bananas since they’re the yummiest among other bananas and most favorable among our society. It’s time to let the younger generation step up and tackle any challenges that the scientific community is facing because younger minds are so brimming with new ideas and perspectives. Just because it seems like a problem has been solved in the mean time doesn’t mean there isn’t another and better solution available!