A dozen Framingham State University students are gaining hands-on professional experience in biotechnology through a new career development seminar focused on the core skills needed to succeed in the field.

Framingham State is among the local colleges partnering with LabCentral on the Biotech Ready program—a micro-credentialing initiative that helps students identify key competencies, receive targeted training, and demonstrate their readiness for careers in the life sciences.

LabCentral, a nonprofit organization located on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, operates more than 225,000 square feet of shared laboratory space. With over 100 biotech companies on site, the facility offers students valuable exposure to industry professionals, as well as access to networking, internship, and career opportunities.

Throughout the semester, students in the seminar travel together to LabCentral to build a wide range of skills. Their experience includes everything from engaging with startup companies and developing professional networks to conducting advanced lab work in state-of-the-art facilities.

“Biotech plays a very important role in the career I want to go into,” said pre-med major Nojin Barzangae ’28. “My hope is to become a scientist and work in the area of gene therapy to cure diseases.”

Dr. Amanda Simons, Chair of the Biology Department, said the seminar—STEM200—was designed with this partnership in mind.

“LabCentral has a strong track record of providing educational programs and training for students interested in biotech,” Simons said. “Developing STEM200 also allowed us to pilot a career-focused seminar model that we hope to expand to a broader group of students, including those participating in internships and co-ops.”

Biology major Maria Cancado ’28 said the course provided a valuable opportunity to work with industry-level lab equipment and develop new technical skills. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. after graduating and hopes to work in gene therapy.

“There are so many new RNA-based therapies emerging, and many of the companies at LabCentral are doing the kind of research I’m interested in,” she said. “It’s been a great opportunity.”

Graduating senior Jenny Nantchouang '26 also found the experience highly rewarding.

“We were responsible for working through our own lab protocols and learning to use a variety of new instruments,” said Nantchouang, a Biology major with a Pre-Health concentration. “I really enjoyed connecting with professionals from different fields and expanding my network on LinkedIn.”

Learn more about the Biotech Ready Program.