Bhaskar Venepalli, a scientist, entrepreneur and longtime board member of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, has received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, a state honor recognizing exceptional service to North Carolina.
The North Carolina Biotechnology Center announced the recognition in a LinkedIn post, congratulating the Indian American scientist on the award and citing his service to the state and local communities.
The organization also appreciated the role of Venepalli, president and CEO of CiVentiChem, a company operating in the life sciences sector in strengthening North Carolina’s life sciences sector.
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The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the highest award for state service presented by the North Carolina governor’s office, according to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Recognizing individuals for extraordinary service to the state, the award is distinct from the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor.
North Carolina Biotechnology Center works to support the state’s biotechnology industry while its board brings together individuals with experience in areas including business, finance, life sciences and academia.
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Venepalli’s professional background also includes involvement in the American Chemical Society. He served as chair of the society’s North Carolina Local Section in 2019 and was named an American Chemical Society Fellow in 2017. He has also received the society’s 2022 Marcus E. Hobbs Award and 2025 Henry F. Whalen Jr. Award from its Division of Business Development and Management.
The North Carolina Local Section of the American Chemical Society established the Dr. Bhaskar R. Venepalli Award for Distinguished Speaker of the Year in recognition of his contributions to the organization and a donation supporting the award’s endowment.
The biotechnology center’s LinkedIn announcement focused on Venepalli’s service to North Carolina and local communities, as well as his connection to the state’s life sciences industry. The award underscores his longstanding connection to the organization and its work in the state’s life sciences sector.