By Stephen Stirling
The new lab has been utilized by students of the school since September and was made possible through funding from Doshi Diagnostics Laboratories. Neither the school nor Doshi Diagnostics released information regarding the amount of funding given to the school, but company President Anish Berry made it clear that money was no object. “We came to the Bowne and said we have this money, why don't you tell us what we should do with it,” Berry said. “They asked 'how much can we spend?' and we said 'you decide.'” He added that “we realized if we can help a school, then we can help all these kids, the next generation, achieve their goals.”The lab features all new equipment, including counters, emergency wash stations, sinks and a fumigation hood. Gennaro said even though excellent teachers and a motivation to learn are crucial to the success of the education system in the city, they only go so far. “That aptitude can only be realized by through the right equipment,” he said. Liu praised the work of John Bowne and said the hulking school successfully bucks a recent trend in the city's educational philosophy. “The current thinking now is that we should have small schools, and yeah we can have small schools. But large schools like John Bowne can work very well, too,” he said. Doshi Diagnostics has been cooperating with Queens schools for several years with the “Doshi Science Research Program,” a four-year program geared toward career preparation in mathematics, science, medicine, medical lab technology and biotechnology. The program, previous limited to Queens schools, will be accepting citywide applications for the first time this fall. Originally started in Flushing in 1985, Doshi Diagnostics now has 38 locations across the tri-state area and is one of the largest radiological service providers in the area. Berry said an integral part of the company's mission has become giving back to the community that has supported it over the last two decades, and John Bowne figures to be a part of that for the foreseeable future. “Doshi and John Bowne are partners for life,” he said. Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
