San Jacinto College and Solugen partner on customized biotech training program

PASADENA, Texas – San Jacinto College has formed a new partnership with Solugen, a leader in industrial biomanufacturing, to deliver customized corporate training aimed at enhancing the skills and competencies of industrial biotechnical laboratory staff. San Jacinto College is the first institution in the region to offer such customized corporate training for industrial biotechnology companies, setting a new standard in biomanufacturing education.

“Solugen places a high priority on engaging community partners,” said Dr. Christopher Wild, executive director of the San Jacinto College Center for Biotechnology. “As a part of that effort, which aligned with the College engaging biotech companies, the relationship blossomed.”

The training currently is offered to the Greater-Houston region with plans to become a training destination for biopharma and industrial biotechnology companies in the Southeastern United States.

First cohort kicks off training program

The College hosted its first cohort of 10 trainees from Solugen in May.

The week-long “Foundations of Biotechnology” includes both theoretical and hands-on components, covering a range of critical topics from contamination control to pilot plant operations. The course is led by Dr. Nicole Bradley, who has more than 12 years of research experience and five years in biopharmaceuticals and quality control; and Kevin Rodriguez, a San Jac alumnus with a background in process development and more than three years of experience in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

“Trainees learned everything from contamination control to pilot plant operations and everything in between,” said Dr. Bradley, biotechnology program director and professor. “They learned how to limit and control contaminations as well as how to improve accuracy and reproducibility in their experiments and products.” 

The course includes both theoretical and hands-on training in various critical areas, including:

• Introduction to pilot plant operations (theory) 
• Basic data analysis and analytical calculations (theory) 
• Sterilization and decontamination (theory) 
• How to use and calibrate a pH meter (theory/hands-on training) 
• Pipette training and repeatability assessment (hands-on training) 

“I think the training was incredibly enriching for both the trainees and the San Jac faculty,” Bradley said. “It was a wonderful collaboration from start to finish, and there were some knowledge gaps that the senior level trainees were able to fill in for us as well as us to them.” 

Developing the partnership

The partnership between Solugen and San Jacinto College is a significant step toward addressing the workforce needs in the rapidly growing field of industrial biomanufacturing in Houston. This collaboration not only benefits the college and its students but also the broader community by opening new career paths in a rapidly growing field with increasing employment opportunities.

“San Jacinto has been a critical community partner for Solugen in Houston,” said Dr. Konrad Miller, Vice President of Manufacturing Science and Technology at Solugen. “As the workforce needs for the industrial biomanufacturing sector evolve, we have been working closely with faculty at the Center for Biotechnology to tailor curriculum. We're excited about the prospect of utilizing their new short-course offerings to cross-train our teams on industry best practices.”

“Providing onboarding training for future hires is a goal,” Wild said. “Additionally, through our partnership, continuing to engage Solugen on community events will be essential to building familiarity with families regarding careers in this sector.” 

This partnership benefits both the college and the community by opening new career paths in an emerging field that continues to show rapid growth and employment opportunities. With an exclusive partnership with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, San Jacinto College is positioned to become a leader in biomanufacturing training.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, serving approximately 41,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s.

For more information about San Jacinto College, visit sanjac.edu. 

View photos from the first cohort on Flickr.