Excellence in Biotechnology Leadership
Catalyzing a community of emerging leaders in synthetic biology to create new strategies for developing biotechnology in the public interest.
Training in synthetic biology, and in science and technology more broadly, rarely teaches individuals practical skills to evaluate the impacts of their decisions on society, much less empower them to voice their concerns and guide them to work with others to alter the course of development.
Our Vision:
To empower and inspire the human infrastructure to assess and steer the development of synthetic biology in a global context.
LEAP was created to invest in individuals and provide them the tools and networks with which to shape and advance synthetic biology development. As an organization, we act as a sustainable nexus of resources and support as these leaders grow in their roles. We aim to empower and inspire the human infrastructure necessary to assess and steer the development of synthetic biology in a global context. In essence, LEAP is preparing leaders to lead.
“Many people working in synthetic biology are driven by a desire to direct their work in the public interest. However, it can be challenging to understand what that means in practice. LEAP aims to provide the next generation of leaders with experiences, tools and networks to help them shape their work to maximize its societal benefits while reducing potential risks.”
Megan J. Palmer
SynBERC Deputy Director of Practices
LEAP Executive Director
“Synthetic biology has profound implications for the future of medicine, chemistry and energy, and for the future of our planet. For this reason, the field attracts socially-minded researchers who are eager to use its potential to address the important challenges of our day. The essays in this collection embody the spirit of the synthetic biology community at its best. The SynbioLEAP community represents the leading edge of a techno-social effort driven by deep human compassion to invent a better, more sustainable future for all of us.”
Jay Keasling
Hubbard Howe, Jr. Professor of Biochemical Engineering University of California, Berkeley Associate Laboratory Director Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Chief Executive Officer Joint BioEnergy Institute
Director Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center (SynBERC)
“LEAP offers a unique opportunity to strengthen the relationship between science, engineering, and public policy. Early exposure to policy issues prepares future S&E leaders to make informed public policy decisions based on scientifically sound evidence. When practitioners are afforded the opportunity to wrestle with the challenging legal, social, and ethical implications of their work early in their careers, they will be better prepared to engage in public policy formation and to communicate with the public.”
Anne-Marie Mazza
Director,Committee on Science, Technology, and Law
Director, Mirzayan S&T Policy Graduate Fellowship Program The National Academies
“Synthetic Biology is clearly on a transformative path, and LEAP is remarkably effective in its ability to model and bring together so many important viewpoints - industry, academic, legal, government, law enforcement, public relations; leading through example, the experience is one which can be especially valuable to those primarily trained in leading edge research, such as our senior scientists and engineers at Agilent Laboratories.“
Darlene Soloman
Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Agilent Technologies