About LIFT-VA
Life Sciences Innovation & Future Talent – Virginia is a future-focused workforce development initiative designed to connect students and emerging professionals to real opportunities in life sciences, biotechnology, STEMM, and workforce readiness.
WHAT IS LIFT-VA?
Life-Sciences Innovation & Future Talent — Virginia is a structured, credentialed workforce development pipeline that moves participants through five integrated phases, from first exposure in 6th grade through career launch as a life sciences professional.
Every phase is connected. Every step earns a credential. Every credential opens a door. And every door leads somewhere real.
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Phase 1 — Exposure: Hands-on STEM demonstrations, field trips to Athari BioSciences' BSL-2 laboratory, mentorship, and family engagement events. Students build curiosity and begin to connect science to real careers.
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Phase 2 — Experience: Monthly Saturday laboratory sessions, job shadowing, project-based learning, college and career planning. Students begin working with real equipment and producing documented work.
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Phase 3 — Excellence: Intensive research apprenticeships, industry certifications, dual enrollment coursework, college application support. Students leave with a portfolio, a credential, and a professional reference.
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Phase 4 — Success: Monthly check-ins, academic coaching, networking, and career planning for program graduates in college. Students connected to LIFT-VA achieve 85% STEM completion vs. 60% nationally.
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Phase 5 — Launch: Direct employment opportunities, job placement assistance, alumni network, and the chance to become a mentor for the next generation.
As the life sciences and biotechnology sectors continue to expand, the need for future-ready talent continues to grow.
Too often, students and emerging professionals do not have access to:
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meaningful exposure to the field
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hands-on learning environments
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clear career pathways
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trusted mentorship
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workforce-connected opportunities
LIFT-VA was created to help change that.
By connecting students, families, and employers through a structured pathway model, LIFT-VA helps create stronger access to opportunity and a more prepared workforce for the future.
WHY IT WAS CREATED
OUR VISION & MISSION
We envision a future where more students and emerging professionals can see themselves in science, access meaningful opportunities, and build careers that contribute to stronger communities and a stronger workforce.
LIFT-VA's mission is to expand access to life sciences opportunity through education, exposure, mentorship, workforce preparation, and partnership.
LIFT-VA is a collaborative achievement that no single organization could have reached alone. Three organizations: a certified laboratory, a nonprofit educator, and a youth development engine, built what the market never produced: a self-reinforcing talent ecosystem that doesn't just fill jobs, it builds careers.
Future Kings
Future Kings contributes educational leadership, student development expertise, and a commitment to preparing young people for long-term opportunity.
Athari BioSciences
Athari BioSciences brings scientific, workforce, and life sciences industry expertise to the initiative, helping connect learning to real-world relevance.
GEMS
GEMS supports educational advancement, scientific exposure, and mentorship-driven opportunity building for future talent.
Together, these organizations help create a stronger, more connected experience for participants, families, and partners.
THE PARTNERSHIP
