Four Montgomery County Community College Biotechnology program graduates participated in the Biomedical Technician Training (BTT) Program this summer, a pre-apprenticeship experience through The Wistar Institute.

Students Kaitlyn Bui, Connor Patterson, Maximilian Torres and Tracey Woodard completed the 12-week summer program, which includes a two-week orientation in the Wistar training labs working alongside researchers using cutting-edge technology, followed by five weeks in an academic research lab, and five weeks in an industry setting.

A global leader in biomedical research, Wistar offers specialized expertise in cancer, immunology, infectious disease, and vaccine development, according to its website. The BTT program is led by Dr. Kristy McGuire, the dean of biomedical studies at Wistar.

“We are so proud to see our students continuing their growth as professionals in the field,” said Dr. Margaret Bryans, Biotechnology Professor and Coordinator of MCCC’s Biotechnology Program, “and we can't wait to see where their careers take them next.”

Bryans is a co-principal investigator for the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education grant that supports the BTT program, Wistar is the lead institute. The NSF ATE program supports partnerships between two-year institutions of higher education, other academic institutions, industry and other entities to improve the education of technicians in science and engineering, according to its website.

Building on a strong foundation

The Wistar program is designed to prepare community college students for entry-level careers in both academic and industry labs. Students were able to apply the skills they learned at MCCC through a laboratory and internship experience at both a local company and a university lab. This is the fifth year MCCC students were invited to participate in the program.

Students said they built on many of the foundational lessons they learned at MCCC during the program.

“I really enjoyed myself,” said Torres, 21, of Glenside. “The best part was applying a lot of the knowledge I acquired at Montco. Everything that I've learned here under Dr. Bryans prepared me.”

Torres said the techniques he studied in the classroom at MCCC prepared him for the work he would do during the BTT program. The first two weeks of the program felt like a refresher course.

“Students from other community colleges — a lot of it was brand new to them,” he said. “All of the Montco students had a sense of, ‘we know what this is.’ So, we could perform it faster, more efficiently, with more precision and accuracy.”

Woodard, of East Norriton, who previously earned an undergraduate degree in English and Theater, appreciated the opportunity to discover what a future career in the industry might look like through this BTT program.

“I didn't know what it was like working in a lab professionally,” she said, “so I had a little taste of what that would be like if I were to pursue it.”

Both students appreciated gaining experience in both an academic and industrial setting, allowing them to compare the two and see which felt like a better fit for their careers.

“I think I like the industry one a little better, because it aligns with my personality type,” said Woodard. “I like to have tasks and check them off as the day goes on. You know when you're done for the day. Within the academic setting, you take your work home with you, so you're constantly thinking about what to do next.”

“With academic, it's a lot of just research, and then a breakthrough, but it takes a long time to get all that research, to find the breakthrough,” said Torres. “Whereas within an industry setting, I'm looking to be more of a cog in a machine, to know that if I'm not there, then this wouldn't occur. You can make a demonstrable difference. And the results that I get can be seen the next day or a week later.”

Discovering a passion

Students really appreciated the MCCC Biotechnology program, saying it unlocked a passion they didn’t know they had.

Bui originally looked to study 3D animation at an art school before transferring to MCCC to study biology. The Biotechnology program offered a perfect balance between the hands-on, detail-oriented work she enjoyed in art and her growing passion for biology, she said.

Bui and Torres have transferred to Thomas Jefferson University to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biotechnology. Patterson will transfer in fall 2027. MCCC has a transfer partnership with Thomas Jefferson University, making transferring credits there seamless. Meanwhile, Woodard hopes to find a laboratory role where she can continue building her skills and contribute to the biomedical field.

Students then offered advice to future Biotechnology students interested in following in their footsteps.

"Build a strong foundation in biology and chemistry,” said Woodard. “Those basics will make a big difference as you move through the program."

Patterson said students in the program should expect the unexpected.

“Come to lab prepared, never be afraid to ask questions, and don’t be discouraged when experiments don’t go as planned,” he said. “Science doesn’t always work the way we want, but failed experiments are often the best opportunities to learn.”

For those looking to study at Wistar in the future, get comfortable with the idea of independent research, said Torres.

“I made plenty of mistakes there, but that's the only way you can really learn,” he said. “Become comfortable with the idea of working independently.”

In addition to MCCC, five other community colleges have students apply for 20 open spots each year, including Bucks County Community College, Camden County Community College, Community College of Philadelphia, Delaware County Community College and Rowan College of South Jersey.

For more information about the Wistar Institute’s Biomedical Technician Training Program, MCCC students should contact Dr. Margaret Bryans.