Internships lead to biotechnology jobs
Photo, L-R: Trevor Sparks, Nasrin Meraji, and Hana Zwayed
On Aug. 8, three students from HFC's Biotechnology Program shared their summer internship experiences with the College community:
- Trevor Sparks was an intern in the Michigan State Police (MSP) Trace Evidence Unit in the Northville Forensic Laboratory where he studied fiber analysis.
- Nasrin Meraji worked in NSF International's Microbiology Laboratory in Ann Arbor on numerous projects, including microbial contamination of nutritional supplements and the ability of driers to remove bacteria from clothing.
- Hana Zwayed had an internship under Dr. Penelope Higgs in the Biology Department at Wayne State University in Detroit, where she studied spore formation in Myxococcus bacteria.
Meraji was named HFC's Outstanding Biotechnology Student for 2018.
"These students did an excellent job. They should be proud of the work they've done during their internships. They represented the College very well, " said Dr. Jolie A. Stepaniak, director of Biotechnology.
What do biotechnologists do?
The HFC Biotechnology Program is an intensive program that prepares students for positions as biotechnology technicians in molecular biology-based industries and institutions. Coursework integrates work-based experiences, training in modern instrumentation and new technologies, and rigorous scientific content.
Biotechnology is a growing field, so the number of positions available for biotechnology technicians is expected to increase. Students who have earned an associate degree or certificate in biotechnology can obtain a job as a technician in an:
* Industrial laboratory (e.g., pharmaceutical company)
* Forensic laboratory (e.g., police crime laboratory)
* Research laboratory (e.g., university research laboratory)
* Government laboratory (e.g., USDA laboratory)
Interested in the Biotechnology program? Contact Stepaniak at jastepaniak@hfcc.edu for more information.