Innovative Citrus program prepares students for biotechnology careers

By Mary Ann Lutz, Citrus College Governing Board Member

Although it has only been three years since Eduardo Contreras earned his Associate of Science Degree in Biotechnology from Citrus College, he is already helping shape the future of health care. As a lead technician for Grifols Biologicals, a pharmaceutical company in Los Angeles, Contreras plays a role in the production of essential plasma-derived medicines.

Thanks to his Citrus College education, it's a job he says he is well-equipped to perform.

The application of biological systems to develop products and processes, biotechnology uses living cells to produce medicine, food, alternative fuels and more. Launched in fall 2015, the Citrus College Biotechnology program offers a variety of courses designed to train students for entry-level positions in this booming industry. However, providing technical knowledge isn't the program's only aim. Helping students hone soft skills, such as time management and organization, is another of its primary goals.

“I really benefitted from the structure of my biotechnology classes because it gave me the opportunity to break down my list of tasks and plan an efficient day,” Contreras says. “I continue to polish this skill every single day.”

The training provided by the Citrus College Biotechnology program is extensive. Every year, a cohort of approximately 14 to 16 students enrolls in the program. These students must then complete required laboratory training to obtain a certificate of achievement in biomanufacturing, a process that takes a minimum of a year. Additional time is needed to complete the coursework required for the biotechnology associate degree.

According to Dr. Eleanor Tsark, one of the program's two full-time faculty members, input from industry partners allows the program to continuously evolve. An advisory committee of representatives from local biomanufacturing companies meets with college personnel regularly and, in turn, faculty members modify and improve curriculum to meet industry needs.

Over the past seven years, this process of using industry input to guide the program's evolution has led to significant growth. Biotechnology curriculum has expanded from two lab-intensive courses that serve as the lynchpin of the program to two additional courses that are designed to further augment students' knowledge and preparation for future career paths.

Industry partnerships not only ensure that Citrus College's Biotechnology program remains current, but they also provide students with the opportunity to experience the biotechnology environment first-hand. As part of the program's curriculum, faculty members organize facility tours with partners, including Prolacta Bioscience, HBT Labs, Grifols Biologicals and Gilead Sciences. These tours help students understand how different workplaces function, while also enabling them to preview potential employment sites.

A variety of other opportunities are incorporated into the biotechnology program to ensure that students are prepared for their future careers. Guest speakers, mock interviews and special workshops provide information and valuable practice to aid in job securement. At the same time, a culminating screening event allows recent program graduates to meet with industry partners to discuss their training and employment readiness.

After successfully completing their required courses and earning a certificate and/or associate degree, students are often hired by the biotechnology program's company partners. This was the case for Contreras. “I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of this program, and I am even more grateful for all of the guidance and knowledge my instructors provided me with,” he said.

As the Monrovia, Bradbury and portion of Duarte area's representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am proud of the fact that Citrus College's Biotechnology program propels students to exciting and lucrative careers. This innovative program is a fine example of the many ways in which Citrus College is preparing students for the future.