GGC Instructor Selected for Exchange Program

Greenwood, SC – Alyssa Labdon, an instructor with the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC), has been selected by the Mobile Laboratory Coalition (MLC) to participate in their inaugural Instructor Exchange Program. The MLC program provides the opportunity for instructors from member organizations to exchange jobs for a week to observe curricula, methods, and best practices allowing instructors to enhance their own programs through learning about other successful organizations.

Labdon, who joined GGC in 2023 after graduating with a degree in genetics from Clemson University, will spend a week in May with BioBus New England based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while Dr. Alice Chou, of BioBus New England, will work with the GGC team next week on the Gene Machine mobile science laboratory and Helix Express van.

“I applied for the MLC Instructor Exchange Program because I believed this would be an amazing opportunity to not only grow as an instructor but to also gain a new perspective on mobile lab programs,” said Labdon. “My main goal with this exchange is to learn how to be more adaptive within a classroom setting so that we can bring the best experience possible to our students. I am beyond excited to meet everyone involved with BioBus New England and I cannot wait to see what insight can be gained from working with their program.”

“Alyssa has been an enthusiastic addition to our team, helping to expand our offerings to include several popular new modules in environmental and animal genetics,” said Leta Tribble, PhD, GGC’s Director of Education. “We are excited for her to share what she learns from BioBus New England and we hope that Dr. Chou gains valuable insight into our program – enhancing both of our organizations and ultimately improving the opportunities for all of our students.”

GGC’s outreach education program is a longtime member of MLC’s international community of traveling and laboratory-based education and outreach STEM programs. GGC and the Medical University of South Carolina are cohosting the MLC’s annual conference in Charleston in July where Labdon and other Instructor Program participants will share their experiences with the exchange program.