Building a biotechnology ecosystem designed to benefit all who rely on it.
AfroBiotech is a global professional community and conference platform dedicated to advancing equity, innovation, and real-world impact in biotechnology. We connect scientists, engineers, students, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to ensure that biotechnology research, tools, and careers are inclusive and that biotech solutions reach the communities that need them most.
AfroBiotech was founded to address a simple but urgent gap: biotechnology shapes the future of health, food, energy, and the environment yet the people building it, benefiting from it, and deciding its direction do not reflect the full diversity of our society.
Our Mission
AfroBiotech exists to make biotechnology better by ensuring it serves all who need it. We do this by:
- Elevating underrepresented scientists and engineers
- Creating pathways between academia, industry, and community impact
- Supporting ethical, accessible, and socially responsible biotech innovation
What We Do
The AfroBiotech Conference
Biennial international conferences that celebrate science, culture, & collaboration.
Industry & Academic Partnerships
Supporting representation, retention, advancement, & leadership.
Workforce & Career Development
Curated connections across academia, industry, and entrepreneurship.
Community & Public Engagement
Public-facing science communication and Responsible innovation that considers equity and access.
The AfroBiotech Conference
AfroBiotech hosts a biennial conference that brings together:
- Academic researchers and trainees
- Biotechnology and pharma companies
- Startups, investors, and workforce developers
- Policy, ethics, and community stakeholders
Conference programming includes:
- Scientific talks and panels
- Career and workforce development sessions
- Industry engagement and recruiting
- Conversations on equity, ethics, and impact
Our next major conference is planned for February 2027. Read about past conferences here:
- Meeting Recap: AfroBioTech, AccBio, Spring Meeting & GCPS. 2025. Chemical Engineering Process (CEP.) Magazine, https://www.aiche-cep.com/cepmagazine/june_2025/
- 5th AfroBiotech Conference, https://www.aiche.org/sbe/conferences/afrobiotech-conference/2025
Workforce & Career Development
AfroBiotech supports scientists and engineers at every career stage by:
- Highlighting career pathways in biotech and related industries
- Connecting students and trainees with mentors and employers
- Providing visibility for emerging leaders and innovators
Beyond representation, we aim for retention, advancement, and leadership.
Industry & Academic Partnerships
We work with:
- Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
- Academic institutions and training programs
- Nonprofits and professional societies
To create mutually beneficial partnerships that align cutting-edge science with workforce needs, ethical responsibility, and societal impact.
Community & Public Engagement
Biotechnology does not exist in a vacuum. AfroBiotech promotes:
- Transparent conversations about how biotech affects communities
- Responsible innovation that considers equity and access
- Public-facing science communication and storytelling
We believe trust, inclusion, and dialogue are essential for biotech’s future.
Who We Serve
- Students exploring biotech careers
- Graduate students and postdocs
- Academic faculty and researchers
- Industry scientists, engineers, and hiring managers
- Entrepreneurs and innovators
- Allies committed to equity in science and technology
Leadership
AfroBiotech was founded and is organized by Dr. Karmella A. Haynes, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Principal Investigator of the Epigenetic Control Systems Engineering Lab at Emory and Georgia Tech. The organization is supported by the Society for Biological Engineering (SBE) in the American Institute for Chemical Engineer s (AIChE), as well as a growing network of advisors, speakers, volunteers, and partners across academia and industry.
Get Involved
Attend our upcoming conference:
Registration will open in 2026. To receive the latest updates about AfroBiotech 2027, follow us on social media or send us a short message stating: “I would like to receive updates about AfroBiotech 2027.”
You will receive email announcements and registration information from AIChE/SBE/AfroBiotech.
Sponsor our next conference:
AfroBiotech conferences are supported by federal agencies, private foundations, and corporate partners. We offer both standard sponsorship packages and customized engagement opportunities that align with your organization’s goals for recruiting, visibility, or community impact. If you are interested in supporting the next conference, send us a message to start the conversation.
Partner with AfroBiotech:
AfroBiotech collaborates with academic institutions, companies, nonprofits, and professional societies to advance inclusive biotechnology education, workforce development, and innovation. Partnerships may include co-programming, student and trainee engagement, career pipelines, or community-focused initiatives.
We are also actively recruiting members for the AfroBiotech Steering Committee. Steering Committee members help shape conference programming, partnerships, and the long-term strategic direction of AfroBiotech. We are especially interested in leaders from industry, academia, workforce development, and science-focused nonprofits.
If you are interested in partnering with AfroBiotech or learning more about Steering Committee service, we invite you to reach out.
Contribute to the Community:
AfroBiotech thrives through the contributions of speakers, mentors, volunteers, and advocates. Whether you are interested in speaking at an event, mentoring trainees, or supporting community-building efforts, we welcome your involvement.
Dr. Karmella Haynes 