Blake Lindler

Major(s): MBIOT '22

What attracted me to the MBIOT Program at Texas A&M University was not only its comprehensive curriculum in theoretical and practical applications, but also its emphasis on business and entrepreneurship within the biotechnology industry. This approach aligned with my aspirations, and offered me a well-rounded education that integrated scientific understanding with business acumen. As someone passionate about biotechnology, I was excited about the opportunity to delve deeper into this field and build industry connections throughout the program.

During my time in the program, I had the privilege of interning at iBio's Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), Bryan, Texas. In this role, I was extended project management responsibilities, where I gained hands-on experience in overseeing biopharmaceutical projects from conception to completion. It was an extremely valuable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios and develop essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Some of the highlights from my internship included collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet project deadlines, managing risks, optimizing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, and gaining insights into regulatory compliance in the biopharmaceutical industry. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of adaptability, resilience, and attention to detail in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. I cannot emphasize enough the significance of the internship component in shaping my MBIOT experience. It provided me with industry exposure, networking opportunities, and practical skills that have been instrumental in my career progression.

Currently, I am working as a Senior Downstream Process Technician at Thermo Fisher Scientific, St Louis, MO. In this role, I am responsible for conducting downstream bioprocessing to support the formulation and purification of biopharmaceutical products. My MBIOT education has equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this role, and I am grateful for the solid foundation it has provided for and strengthened my career in the biotechnology industry.

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Bree Vculek

Major(s): MBIOT '17

As a business-minded scientist, I chose to pursue an MBIOT at Texas A&M University due to their unique emphasis on integrating industry principles into academia. The opportunity to earn a Certificate in Business alongside my MBIOT degree excited me, and the industry internship requirement promised to be a valuable asset to my professional growth. My passion for agricultural biotechnology found the perfect match at Texas A&M University, where I engaged in cutting-edge molecular biotechnology and genomics research. The classroom and lab experiences, coupled with industry exposure, have been invaluable to my career, as I apply the knowledge gained from the MBIOT Program every day. The MBIOT degree from Texas A&M University provided me with a well-rounded education that combines business acumen with scientific expertise, empowering me to thrive in my chosen career path. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped my professional journey.

During my internship with Monsanto (now Bayer) in Woodland, CA, I supported their Vegetable Discovery Pathology team and managed three key projects where I (1) conducted host differential bioassays for three fungal pathogen isolates on bell and hot pepper; (2) developed, performed, and analyzed bioassay screens for bacterial pathogens on lettuce varieties, utilizing bacterial isolates from California and Brazil and (3) enhanced molecular diagnostic development for economically important viruses and viroids. I participated in the American Phytopathological Society’s Office of Private Sector Relations agricultural biotechnology tour. The tour took us to various academic and industry sites across California, including Monsanto, Bayer Crop Science, DuPont Pioneer, Syngenta, Dow, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Citrus Research Board. 

In addition to my internship, I also worked on campus during the school year as a Student Research Technician and a Graduate Research Assistant at the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences with Dr. David Stelly. I oversaw a genome-wide interspecific chromosome substitution and introgression project focused on Gossypium hirsutum (cotton) and three other wild-type varieties. My responsibilities included assisting in wet lab cytogenetic assays, maintaining cotton in the greenhouse and field, and developing specific single nucleotide polymorphism primers for molecular analysis of four tetraploid cotton varieties. Furthermore, as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Office of the Texas State Chemist, I conducted an aflatoxin risk assessment analysis in animal feed and feed ingredients for the Kenya, Africa Parliament, and regulatory agencies. I also performed bio-statistical analysis on primary aflatoxin data collected from maize harvests in Kenya, collaborated with Kenyan scientists and risk analysts, and presented research and policy recommendations at a high-level breakfast meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.

Presently, I am working as an attorney specializing in biotechnology and artificial intelligence patent prosecution, with a strong focus on safeguarding the intellectual property of agricultural technology innovations. The knowledge and skills I acquired during my MBIOT journey have been instrumental in shaping my successful career in patent law, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities this program has provided. With enthusiasm and determination, I hope to continue to make a positive impact in the biotechnology and agriculture sectors through my scientific, business, and legal experience.

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Eli Canal

Major(s): MBIOT '22

I enjoyed the MBIOT program very much and believe my experiences in the program positioned me well for the future. During the program I completed the internship at iBio, Bryan, TX as both a Project Management and Regulatory Affairs Intern. I assisted in a pre-IND submission and in developing technology transfer processes. During my internship, I learned about regulatory writing and how to use project management tools such as MS Project. I believe the internship is very important to the MBIOT experience because it provides students with industry experience which is very valuable when searching for jobs after graduation. 

I currently work as a Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Neuromodulation Medical Device Division, Abbott Medical, Dallas, Texas. In my current position, I am responsible for assisting with regulatory submissions to global regulatory bodies as well as assessing our development and manufacturing processes to ensure compliance to international regulations and standards.

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Bagisha Maitra

Major(s): MBIOT '21

I graduated from the MBIOT program in May 2021. I also completed a graduate entrepreneurship certificate from the Mays Business School, Texas A&M University. My primary motivation behind my second Master’s degree was to understand the functioning of a business, to enhance my managerial acumen and to build the necessary skills to competently lead the development and commercialization of promising technologies within the biotechnology industry. 

With the highly resourceful, flexible curriculum crafted in a unique, interdisciplinary fashion and a strong emphasis on its business component, the MBIOT program at Texas A&M University has been a perfect fit for me! The program aspired me to successfully transition to the life science industry from a research-oriented academic background.
 
I am grateful to the MBIOT program for allowing me to take my interest forward and build relevant experiences by leveraging the program’s cornerstone internship component. I completed a project management co-op program in Quality Assurance at iBio, Inc., Bryan, Texas. After graduation, I got a job offer from the company to join them full-time. This was an enriching three years’ experience working in the CDMO within a GMP-regulated environment. As a project manager, I gained experience in domestic and international client relationship management by spearheading client projects and the COVID-19 vaccine development project. During my co-op in QA, I was introduced to the cGMP world, rooted in lean manufacturing principles. Lean Manufacturing Principles was my favorite class at Texas A&M University. This is an example of how flexible the MBIOT program is as it allows the students to tailor their courses to align with their specific goals!

During my studies, I worked at Texas A&M Innovation (Technology Commercialization Office) and completed several management classes at the Mays Business School. These activities developed my emotional intelligence and business acumen and enabled me to be in a decision-making position. The MBIOT program increased my ability to persevere diligently in a deadline-oriented environment with a team and deliver goals while honing my analytical and creative problem-solving skills.  I learned many leadership skills, and a strong sense of commitment to whichever challenge I undertake.

Currently, I work as a Senior Specialist with the Systems and Compliance team in Quality Assurance at Moderna, Boston, Massachusetts. Along with my diverse array of experiences within the healthcare ecosystem and my zeal to ride the learning curve, solve relevant global business problems, and reduce interface failure risk in the healthcare industry, I aim to bridge the gap between the science and business silos.

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Naveen Gokarn

Major(s): MBIOT '23

As an international student with a background in biomedical research, I was searching for a master’s program that provided a wide and holistic launchpad to pivot into the biotechnology and life sciences industries. The MBIOT program offered me the perfect blend of STEM and business exposure through its diverse and flexible course options.
 
I leveraged the early emphasis on engaging with professionals and opportunities provided by the program to participate in directed research projects, professional training and development, conferences, and career fairs. These experiences helped me land a Manufacturing Sciences and Technology (MS&T) co-op position at Catalent Pharma Solutions, Harmans, Maryland. I was involved in technology transfer activities such as technical assessments and investigations, in-process data analysis, and GMP documentation for the implementation of manufacturing pipelines for clients across the USA and Europe. The MBIOT program prepared me for the fast-paced CDMO environment through consistent and active involvement in academic courses, research, assistantships, and co-op applications and interviews. The motivating environment along with the support from peers and mentorship from the MBIOT faculty helped during my academic journey.
 
After graduation, I joined my dream company, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana as a Technical Service/Manufacturing Science Components Senior Scientist. I contribute to Eli Lilly by supporting the effective implementation of primary packaging components for various parenteral drug platforms and developing robust control strategies for reliability and performance. I also assist my team in the continuous improvement of the components supply chain and quality assurance program while fostering an endured relationship with vendors.
 
It is a pleasure to acknowledge the impact the MBIOT program has had in my personal and professional endeavors and in allowing me to create a professional trail for motivated future Aggies.

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Sarah Chau

Major(s): MBIOT '21

The MBIOT program fulfilled my passion for scientific exploration and innovation. The program's curriculum, covering diverse areas such as engineering, business, and science, offered me a comprehensive understanding of the field. The emphasis on hands-on experience and research opportunities within the program was particularly enticing, as it aligned with my desire to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges.

I completed my internship at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University at Dr. Shreya Raghavan’s research lab. I led my project using gene expression data to investigate macrophage polarization in response to implanted polymers. My role in the lab was to design the research study and plan the experimental procedures. I also collaborated with other team members to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and draw conclusions from the findings. I co-authored a research manuscript published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials.

The potential for industry connections and networking opportunities presented by the program undoubtedly aided in my professional development and opened doors to a wide array of career pathways. I believe the program equipped me with the necessary skills and expertise for my current role in the industry. Currently, I work as a Senior Associate Scientist at Pfizer, Pearl River, New York, evaluating the immunogenicity of different vaccine candidates. The MBIOT program has prepared me for success in my field and has allowed me to work with various researchers in the industry.

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Pavan Kamath

Major(s): MBIOT '21

Prior to pursuing the Master of Biotechnology degree, I worked as a quality control technician at Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, India. I was interested in transitioning into a QA role in the pharmaceutical industry and I searched for graduate programs that offered a combination of business and technology courses. I found the MBIOT program to be a perfect fit for my career goals. I was particularly drawn to the flexibility offered by the program. While there were required core biotechnology and business courses, the students also had the opportunity to choose electives that suited their diverse academic needs. I was also interested in the research and internship components of the program which I knew would provide the platform to explore different areas of working in the industry.

I completed my co-op program at iBio, Inc., Bryan, Texas. After graduation, I transitioned to a full-time role as a Quality Assurance Specialist III with the quality systems and compliance team at iBio, Inc. My role at iBio, Inc. included document control, technical transfer, GMP training management, performing and managing compliance investigations, executing risk assessments, performing internal audits, managing the raw material testing program, and collaborating with vendors and our cross-functional team to develop release testing specifications for the drug substances and drug products. During my co-op program, I acquired many technical skills required for a quality assurance professional, as well as project management skills. The internship is a key component of the MBIOT program. It allows the students to explore different biotechnology areas, to apply the skills learned in academic courses, to develop professional contacts, and to widen one’s network for future opportunities.

As I look back at my MBIOT program experience, I am grateful for the opportunity and thankful to all staff members who made this experience worth it. The Texas A&M University professors engaged the students in discussions and often challenged us to think outside the box. I pursued the MBIOT program during the peak and uncertainty of COVID-19 pandemic. I learned how to navigate through problems and come up with creative solutions. I had the opportunity to work at the Texas A&M University AgriLife Genomics and Bioinformatics Service Lab for a directed studies project. The MBIOT program has been instrumental in helping me widen my horizons, and work towards accomplishing my career goals and aspirations.

I currently work as a Senior Quality Assurance Specialist at Moderna, Boston, Massachusetts. I am involved in QA Operations and work with the clinical drug product team. I am responsible for providing quality oversight for the semi-automated aseptic fill-finish operations for investigational drugs. Some of my tasks in this role involve performing room changeovers, troubleshooting on-the-floor issues, reviewing executed batch records, performing final dispositions of manufactured GMP batches, and assisting with compliance investigations.

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