Training the next generation of bioprocess engineers
Over the last ten years, ABPDU has also become a desirable place to train for future careers in the bioeconomy. Working at ABPDU has jump-started the careers of dozens of scientists and engineers of various career stages, and has also provided early hands-on experience for college and high school student interns. Several internship alumni and former employees have gone on to work in the biotech industry, stating that the learning opportunities and mentorship they received at ABPDU were key to their success.
“I can’t stress enough how special and unique ABPDU is,” said Hunter Zeleznik, a former research associate at ABPDU who is now a strain development fermentation research associate at LanzaTech. “To be immersed in that environment and be exposed to so many different things is so valuable.”
Currently, the biotech industry faces a pressing need for experienced people who can bring bio-based products to market. To help meet this demand, ABPDU and UC Berkeley collaborated on the creation of a new course that gives students hands-on experience with bioprocessing equipment, preparing them for careers in the biopharmaceutical, industrial biotech, or food tech industries.
Part of UC Berkeley’s Master of Bioprocess Engineering program, the course takes place at ABPDU’s facility, where ABPDU staff train students on how to use equipment and perform bioprocessing experiments.
“Students at most universities usually don’t have the opportunity to work with the larger-scale equipment that we have at ABPDU,” said Deepti Tanjore, director of ABPDU. “This course provides students with a unique learning experience that you won’t be able to find elsewhere.”
A bright, sustainable future
As the field of biotechnology continues to grow at a rapid pace, ABPDU plans to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of this industry.
“We are well positioned to be able to take on new challenges as the biotech industry continues to innovate,” said Tanjore. “We regularly gather feedback from our industry partners and work to respond to this feedback, providing services and resources that prevent them from re-inventing the wheel and help them succeed.”
The U.S. bioeconomy, which is centered around reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, is valued at nearly $1 trillion and is poised to grow substantially, said Mary Maxon, who recently began a professional leave of absence from her position as Berkeley Lab’s Associate Laboratory Director for Biosciences.
“Through collaboration with ABPDU’s uniquely trained staff, companies can de-risk, scale, and optimize new processes quickly and flexibly,” Maxon said. “As innovations such as recyclable carbon sources expand the range of possibilities for a future circular economy, ABPDU is an increasingly valuable partner to bring these opportunities to market.”
These innovations will ensure that ABPDU can assist in achieving the goals of the broader bioeconomy.