CSUSM Graduates First Cohort of Biotech Lab Technicians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Download Release - PDF)
December 14, 2010

San Marcos, California, December 14, 2010 – This winter, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Extended Learning, in association with the San Diego Workforce Partnership, is pleased to announce it will graduate its first cohort of students for the Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Certificate program. With funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the program has given 40 individuals an opportunity to gain the knowledge and practical experience that the Biotechnology Industry is seeking from its workforce, in order to prepare them for current and emerging jobs as lab technicians or research assistants.

“The biotechnology industry is among the nation's most promising job creators, and with San Diego region as the number one biotech cluster in the world, we are excited that this Certificate program is helping to provide quality resources for our local life science workforce,” says Dr. Al Kern, founder of the University’s biotechnology programs.

The Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Certificate courses cover a range of topics deemed crucial in supplying a solid science foundation, supplemented by hands-on training in a laboratory setting. Through the program, the students, most with a post-baccalaureate degree, become well-versed in cutting edge technologies and current market trends.

One of the program’s recent graduates, Bryand Duke, just accepted a scientist position with the California Department of Fish and Game. “The CSUSM Biotechnology Certificate Program was a great compliment to my previous education,” explained Bryand. “And, [it] allowed me to gain an edge in a very competitive job market.”

To see the resumes of the 2010 CSUSM Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Certificate program graduates and learn more about the Biotechnology Laboratory Certificate program, please visit www.csusm.edu/el/certificateprograms/biotech.