Bio-1 Governance Board Spotlight on Linda Eno, Principal, Biotechnology High School
By Kate Chechko

Linda Eno has been principal of Biotechnology High School since the school officially opened in 2005. As principal of the school, Linda says that “no day is typical.” Although she sets a to-do list every day, she will often find herself tending to unexpected needs around the school. She makes sure her school is running 150% efficiently, which often requires her to “put the needs of her students and faculty as top priority on her to-do”.

 Even though every day throws something different at Linda, she loves her job. She enjoys helping students to be more successful and to have a better day. She especially loves when students and teachers get recognized for their achievements. For example, when students win competitions and when teachers go for further education and she gets to write their letters of recommendation.

 Linda explained that before the high school was built, there was an advisory board, which included members of industry and higher education. Through some connections, she became part of a Rutgers University team, which received an IPI grant. When the grant was awarded, the WIRED grant for BIO-1 became a reality, and the WIRED team was set forth with Linda Eno as an active member.

As a member of the WIRED team, she wants to create opportunities at the high school over the summer to bring non-Biotech high school students to work in our labs. She wants to “give students the opportunity to work with biotechnology equipment that they would not  see in their home high school, with the goal of keeping them interested enough in science to pursue it in college”. In addition, she feels that with the WIRED program, there is “a greater sense of connectivity,” which will give people more networking possibilities and the ability to share ideas.

The high school offers students the ability to prepare themselves for college. The science-based curriculum and talented staff keeps the students motivated, which Linda is very excited about. She said that the goal of  the program is to “help New Jersey maintain a leadership role in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry by creating a skilled workforce here at home.” With that said, New Jersey is preparing its next generation in biotechnology with the help of Linda Eno, the faculty at Biotechnology High School and the BIO-1 WIRED program.