Where did you attend college?
The University of Florida.
What degree or certificate(s) do you hold?
I have a Bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Florida, and the BACE credential from Biotility.
Where are you currently working?
CURIS Decontamination
What is your job title?
Biologist / Senior Assembly Technician
What you do for your job?
I work as both a biologist and senior assembly technician. In my manufacturing role, I assemble the CURIS Decontamination machines. Our company uses these to decontaminate environments and kill pathogens. In my science role, I write blogs and research papers about the company's products. CURIS's decontamination machine kills disease-causing microbes by creating a fog with hydrogen peroxide. The machine has been added to the EPA's List N and can be used against SARS-CoV-2. The hands-on work assembling the decontamination machines really helps me understand the inner mechanisms that make the machine function.
I also set up research projects to help the company explore new ideas for decontamination.
How did you decide on a biotechnology career?
I completed the BACE (Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam) in high school. The BACE was invaluable in helping me to get into the University of Florida, and in finding my way into a research lab at the university.
In college, I gained a lot of experience volunteering in a research laboratory. This experience was incredibly helpful for my future. Knowing how to use the lab equipment, a skill I learned when preparing for the BACE, gave me a huge edge when I was applying to labs. From academics to the industry, the lab skills and credential I got for them gave me an edge over my peers and were well worth the effort.
What do you like best about this career?
I love the freedom of the job. I am allowed to work on a wide variety of different and exciting projects, and I always find myself working at the front edge of the decontamination field. I enjoy being at the forefront of research and development in the industry.
Profile Sponsored By:
Biotility
Biotility offers the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE), an industry-recognized exam designed to assess core skills and knowledge sets identified by industry, and represented within an academic and performance standards of Biotechnology programs. Learn more at Biotility.