EDUCATION:

I've tried to inspire a new generation of scientists through an unusual curriculum and partnerships with industry.

"The success of my students convinces me that teachers can make a difference," writes Kirk Brown, a high school teacher in Tracy, California, who has brought biotechnology into the classroom. "What has enabled me to be effective, I believe, are the connections I have forged with the industry in which graduates are likely to seek employment. I have developed friendships and partnerships that keep me up to date on new developments and skill sets that would be of best benefit to the students in my classes."