NSCEB Sees Long-Standing Efforts Focused on Preparing for the Future of Biotech in New York City
Organizations with deep roots in research and education are expanding the scientific foundation for biotech discovery and building a workforce prepared for the AIxBio future.
28, September 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, New York – On Friday, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) visited New York City for a meeting and behind-the-scenes tour at the American Museum of Natural History’s (AMNH) and to meet with leaders from across the city focused on educating children about science, especially biotechnology. NSCEB Commissioner Angela Belcher joined leading scientists and community leaders for this series of events looking at the future of biotech.
AMNH is at the forefront of generating biological data for scientific research. In its April 2025 report to Congress, the NSCEB found that biological data are increasingly critical as AI enables scientific discovery at an unprecedented pace, and the future biotech workforce will need knowledge of this evolving technology and access to these datasets. The Commission recommended a broad national effort to catalogue the genomic data of the flora and fauna across America’s diverse natural landscape, an effort reflected in the America’s Living Library Act (H.R.7832/S.4023).
“The scientists and innovators who will lead the biotech future are being inspired today in classrooms and educational programs around the country,” said NSCEB Commissioner Angela Belcher. “We have a responsibility to ensure that the data and technology are available to these young minds in a way that unlocks their own spirit of discovery. The work being done at the AMNH and by the organizations we met here in New York is building the pathway for an exciting, innovative future.”
“The American Museum of Natural History has long understood the power of biological data to deepen our understanding of life on Earth and open new pathways for discovery and innovation,” said American Museum of Natural History President Sean M. Decatur. “Through the Museum’s more than 30 million specimens and artifacts, 170 in-house scientists, state-of-the-art scientific facilities, and important partnerships with government agencies, including the National Park Service, the Museum is uniquely positioned to steward biological collections as a resource for future research. The Living Library Act recognizes the vital role that fundamental biological research and collections play in advancing science and developing new solutions that benefit all Americans.”
“We’ve mapped the moons of Jupiter, yet an estimated 99.999 percent of microbial species on our own planet remain undiscovered. We value what we understand, and bioliteracy is where that understanding begins. When young people realize the presence and roles of microbes in what they eat, build, and breathe, they start seeing design partners. Everything consumed is either mined or grown,” said Ginger Krieg Dosier, Executive Director, BIOME Consortia.
Event Details:
In the morning, Commissioner Belcher met with AMNH leaders and researchers to discuss the museum’s mission to leverage its collections for the benefit of the scientific community and the general public. Significant efforts are underway to digitize the museum’s sizeable physical collections, and discussions focused on the alignment between ongoing collection, storing, and sequencing of genomic data and the America’s Living Libraries Act. For example, AMNH already has a partnership with the National Park Service to sample and sequence flora and fauna from our public lands. Commissioner Belcher then took a behind-the-scenes look at AMNH’s hands-on work in this area through the Ancient DNA Lab, its Modern Labs, and the Cryo Collection. These labs extract and preserve vital biological data from across the history and geography of the United States and the world.
Commissioner Belcher then led a roundtable discussion on bioliteracy with multiple New York biotech founders and nonprofit leaders who run programs bringing biology and life sciences education to different audiences around the city, particularly students. The driver of the conversation was how students can access the opportunities, technologies, and expertise to ignite their passion for science as various stages in their educational journeys.
Participants included:
- American Museum of Natural History
- Aspen Institute Science & Society
- BIOME Consortia
- BioDesign Challenge
- Biobus
- Office of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
- Office of Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY)
- MessagingLab
- RockEDU Science Outreach
Biotech Across America Roadshow: The Commission is hitting the road to highlight biotechnology across America, including the companies, academic institutions, workforce development programs, and policy initiatives that are driving the future for this rapidly growing industry. Commissioners will continue learning about the work being done across this vibrant ecosystem while engaging on the key findings and recommendations from the Commission’s recent report to Congress.
About NSCEB: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit: biotech.senate.gov.
Contacts:
NSCEB: press@biotech.senate.gov
