Biotech: Impacting Tomorrow, Today

Episode 2: Interview with MiraCosta President Dr. Sunny Cooke - How to Grow a Biotech Program

Terri Quenzer, Executive Director of the Bioscience Workforce Development Hub, discusses the importance of community college biotechnology and bio manufacturing programs with Dr. Sunny Cooke, President of MiraCosta College. Dr. Cooke highlights the success of MiraCosta's biotech program, including a groundbreaking bachelor's degree in bio manufacturing, which costs under $11,000 for four years. The MiraCosta College biotech program is supported by industry, partnerships, and grants. The program has seen significant growth and has attracted a diverse student body. Dr. Cooke emphasizes the need for strategic planning, industry collaboration, and leveraging resources to support workforce development and economic growth.

Episode 1: Why Biotechnology

Welcome to BioTech: Impacting Tomorrow, Today, a new podcast exploring the ins & outs of the booming biotechnology industry, and the career pathways available within it. In our premier episode, “How Biotechnology Heals the World,” host Terri Quenzer is joined by guest Jim DeKloe to help guide us through an introduction to the world of biotech. Jim is a Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing at Solano College. He has developed and delivered industry-driven curriculum in biomanufacturing that incorporates training students in the skills required to work in companies in the biotech manufacturing space. In their conversation, Jim and Terri touch on the many different career pathways that are available in the biotech industry, and why having a science background is not necessarily a prerequisite for many of the employers. They also explore the benefits biotechnology is having on our economy, our environment, and our healthcare system. It’s an excellent and thorough introduction for anyone curious about this fascinating industry.

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