IN THE SPOTLIGHT: BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Welcome to Viking News’ In the Spotlight, a Q&A series highlighting how Del Mar College departments, programs, and offices are using technology and innovation to enhance services, strengthen partnerships, and improve student success.

Each post “spotlights” a different author sharing – in their own words – how these advancements shape their work and benefit our Viking community.

PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: DR. DAIYUAN “DAISY” ZHANG

Program Director and Professor of Biotechnology
Natural Sciences Department

Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

A:  Biotechnology is a field constantly changing and improving. To provide students with remarkable opportunities faculty are actively involved in grant, workshops and training certification, and  curriculum is updated constantly to match industry requests and research focus. Students are provided with paid internships, certification workshops and conference presentations. These efforts help our students see pathways ranging from learning to application in the workplace and builds the pipeline of skilled workers in our economy.  
 

Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve?

A: Over the last 10 years, the Biotechnology Program has demonstrated unique and impressive student outcomes from the HHMI-SEA Program compared to traditionally instructed courses. All SEA Phage students successfully isolated novel phage viruses and characterized their virus with faculty noting elevated levels of student excitement and engagement compared to the traditionally mentored science labs.  HHMI-SEA students have been voluntarily working on their viruses on weekends and have taken ownership of their isolated bacteriophage viruses. Several students’ novel phage viruses have been selected and the genome (DNA) completely sequenced. During the spring semester the virus genomes (DNA) were completely annotated and submitted to the “Gene-Bank,” including students’ names as authors. Students also entered the name of their phage into the phage database and obtained electron microscopy images (TEM) of their isolated phages. 
 

Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

A: More than 100 DMC Biotechnology students have had the opportunity to travel outside the South Texas region, providing them with life experiences outside of their communities while gaining valuable work experiences as interns. These experiences have also led to future job opportunities. Additionally, these students show improved communication and professional skills with some  placing in regional and/or national conferences. Some have even published in peer reviewed journals, so the college’s Biotechnology team continues to collaborate with industry, government agencies, project partners and academia [to give students optimal opportunities that will impact their future.]
 

Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: The Biotechnology Program has built a complete educational pathway starting with high school outreach to stacked and latticed certificates and degrees to smooth transition into a bachelor’s degree at one of several public universities based on our articulation agreements.  There are several points where students could exit into industry or re-enter the program, depending on their circumstances and life challenges. There is also a new emphasis on biomanufacturing, and the curriculum fundamentally differs from research-based “biotechnology” taught by most colleges. The discipline leads directly to employment in a career that provides a livable wage and potential for upward mobility in Industrial Biotechnology. 
 

 Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need?

A: Relocation of the program to the Oso Creek Campus was a great move. Course enrollment has increased 20 to 30 percent since the move, and the bigger space has allowed more students to register for our hands-on classes. Articulation with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and collaboration with the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing (NCTM) in College Station are beneficial for both the Biotechnology Program and our students. New skills that focus on bio-manufacturing and a quality control component are all we need to incorporate into several biotechnology courses. Industry employers value the undergraduate research experience we offer students, and they understand students can pursue a different focus on their career path. But, employers appreciate seeing the research experience and industrial certificate listed as core courses in the program’s degree plan.
 

Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service?

A: Research-based courses, internship opportunities, our certification program and workshops, connection with future industrial employers, opportunities to travel and present research posters at state and national conferences and the chance to win awards are the key factors that our students will tell you as to why you should enroll in the college’s Biotechnology Program. Most of all, students will develop better soft skills, including teamwork and communication, people and critical thinking skills.

Additional information

Program Location:  Room 325, STEM Building, Oso Creek Campus, 7002 Yorktown Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78414
Web link: delmar.edu/degrees/biotechnology/index.html
Phone: 361-698-1484
Email: dzhang@delmar.edu