Biotech Beat

Williams is a senior pharmaceutical associate at Sampson Biologics in Rockville, Maryland. Williams was initially drawn to biotech to help people. Outside work, he enjoys fixing up his house and outdoor activities. Williams started as an apprentice, progressing to a senior role over five and a half years. He credits his Montgomery College and the apprenticeship for his success. Now Williams has fi...

In this episode you’ll meet Juan, a manufacturing associate and shift coordinator at Novo Nordisk. Juan discusses his journey into the biotechnology industry. He heard about the Bioworks certificate at Johnston Community College (JCC) and despite initial job search challenges, Juan secured a role at Novo Nordisk because of a four-day internship in JCC’s Bio Blend program. Juan highlights the exten...

Stephanie, a lab technician at the NIH, discusses her career path from pre-vet studies to a biotech certificate at Montgomery College. At the NIH, Stepnhanie works with patients from around the world, processing blood and bone marrow for clinical trials. Stephanie highlights the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and being flexible in the workplace. She advises those interested in...

In this episode you’ll meet Devyn, a lab tech at Pharmaron in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Devyn was inspired by cancer in his family history to pursue a career in science. Devyn attended Montgomery College, where he learned skills like homogenization and traceability, which helped him secure his job at Pharmaron. Devyn advises students to embrace mistakes and maintain routines for better time manageme...

AJ is a quality assurance specialist at BIOQUAL in Rockville, Maryland. AJ shares how his interest in epidemiology led him to a career in biotech. AJ chose Montgomery College for its strong biotech program, and low cost tuition. At BIOQUAL, AJ works on data generation, SOP development, and auditing processes. AJ emphasizes the value of networking, continuous professional growth, and hands-on exper...

In this episode, you’ll meet Lena, a Renasant Bio scientist, whose journey into biotech began in 2014. Lena credits the Bridge to Biotech program at City College of San Francisco for building hero biotech knowledge and lab skills. Over the years, Lena gained experience at four biotech companies- specializing in assay development and high-throughput imaging. Lena’s advice to community college stude...

Stephanie, a lab technician at the NIH, discusses her career path from pre-vet studies to a biotech certificate at Montgomery College. At the NIH, Stepnhanie works with patients from around the world, processing blood and bone marrow for clinical trials. Stephanie highlights the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and being flexible in the workplace. She advises those interested in...

Jennifer works in biotech at Novo Nordisk in Clayton, North Carolina. She pursued biotechnology through a program at Johnston Community College. Jennifer's professional roles evolved from entry-level production to management, leveraging her skills and the company's training programs. She emphasized the importance of practical experience and professional growth opportunities within Novo Nor...

Dalton is a technician at Grifols Therapeutics in Clayton, North Carolina. Dalton shares his journey from high school to his current role, highlighting the impact of the BioWork class he took in high school. He details his daily responsibilities, including working in buffer prep and the importance of detailed reporting. Dalton shares his experience of adjusting to a rotating shift schedule and the...

Eroica, a lab assistant at Austin Community College (ACC), discusses her journey into biotechnology. Initially interested in biology and graphic design, Eroica discovered biotech through a recommended course. Her role involves cleaning, material prep, and demos, which she enjoys. She collaborates with UT Austin on projects with students and highlights the importance of connections, citing a pivota...

Darrin, a biotech professional at Conception Biosciences in Berkeley, CA, talks about his journey from being inspired by Jurassic Park and marine biology to his current role as an Associate Scientist. He highlights his educational path, including a break from undergrad, a return to City College of San Francisco's biotech program, and a stem cell technology certification. Darrin emphasizes the...

Lashanda, a manufacturing associate at Novo Nordisk in Clayton, North Carolina, shares her journey from Johnston Community College to her current role. Inspired by a field trip to a biotech facility, she applied and was accepted into a summer program. Lashanda discusses her daily responsibilities, including monitoring processes and sampling, and highlights the benefits of her job, such as a 401(k)...

DaMone', is a Lab Operator Level 3 at Emerald Cloud Labs in Austin, Texas. DaMone’ talks about how he got interested in biotech and how his role at Emerald Cloud Labs involves tasks dictated by software, including preparing stock solutions and running HPLC. DaMone' highlights the importance of internships, citing his experience at XYZ Laboratories and the University of Houston, which provi...

In this episode of the Biotech Beat podcast, you’ll meet Natalie Marquez, a compliance audit specialist at Clinical Pathology Laboratory in Austin, Texas. Natalie shares her journey into the biotechnology field, starting from her education at Austin Community College to her various roles in the industry. She discusses the importance of compliance in biotech, her career progression, and the challen...

Adia, a community college alum, discusses her journey into the biotech industry. Inspired by her family's involvement, she pursued a career in biotech, working at Humacyte, a 20-year-old startup in Durham, North Carolina. Adia works in 2D bioprocessing. She balances her role with studying online at East Carolina University. Adia highlights the importance of community college education, includi...

Cesar is a former law enforcement officer who transitioned into the biotechnology industry. Cesar shares his journey from law enforcement to biopharmaceuticals, detailing his role at Novo Nordisk. Cesar describes the training he received, and the opportunities for growth within the industry. He emphasizes the importance of education and certifications in his career development and offers advice to...

In this episode of the Biotech Beat Podcast, Artemisa shares her journey from studying marine biology in Mexico City to becoming a senior lab associate at Synthego in San Francisco, CA. Artemisa discusses her passion for biotechnology, particularly CRISPR technology, and the supportive work environment at Synthego. Artemisa emphasizes the importance of education, skills, and networking for success...

In this episode of the Biotech Beat Podcast, Mike shares his unique journey into the biotechnology industry, transitioning from a linguistics background to a successful career at XBiotech in Austin, Texas. He discusses his early experiences, the challenges he faced during his education, and the importance of hands-on experience in securing a job in biotech. Mike emphasizes the opportunities for gr...

In this episode of the Biotech Beat podcast, you’ll meet Bev, a community college alum who has built a successful career in the biotechnology industry. Bev shares her journey from exploring various career options to discovering her passion for biotech through the BioWorks program at Johnston Community College. She discusses her current role at Novo Nordisk, the importance of education and support...

In this episode you’ll meet Nick Vaquera, a community college alum now working at Eikon Therapeutics. Nick shares his journey into the biotech industry, detailing his initial struggles in education, his military background, and how he found his passion for biotech. He discusses his role at Eikon Therapeutics, the importance of collaboration in the workplace, and the opportunities for growth within...

In this episode of the BioBeat Biotech Beat podcast, Colby shares how he became a Field Application Scientist at Singular Genomics. He discusses his early interest in science, the importance of community college in shaping his career, and the various roles he has held in the biotech industry. Colby emphasizes the significance of hands-on experience, networking, and the need for strong communicatio...

Skylar Thomas, an employee at Grifols Therapeutics in Clayton, North Carolina, shares her journey in the biotechnology industry. She discusses her interest in STEM, her decision to work in biotech, and her love for the small-town atmosphere of Clayton. Skylar explains that Grifols is involved in the production and packaging of medicines, including treatments for protein disorders and blood-related...

Rachel shares her journey from being interested in nursing to pivoting into biotech. She discusses her experiences working at BABEC and Twist Bioscience, and how they prepared her for her current role at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Rachel emphasizes the importance of soft skills in the biotech industry and offers advice for students and career transitioners. She also highlights the financial stabili...

Ryan, an employee at Agilent Technologies, shares his journey in the biotechnology industry. He initially became interested in biotech through his work with nanotechnology and alternative protein sources. Ryan describes his role as a global logistics project manager at Agilent and discusses the importance of document control and compliance in the biotech world. He emphasizes the opportunities for...

Camille shares her journey from a career in early education to working in the biotech industry. She took a 12-week certification program in biotechnology, which led her to pursue a degree in bioprocess technology. Through networking, she was able to secure a job at Novo Nordisk before completing her degree. Camille now teaches bioprocess technology and the Biowork class at Johnston Community Colle...