The Master of Microbial Biotechnology (MMB) program at NCSU is a cross-disciplinary program designed to immerse students in both biotechnology and business coursework. The most significant project student teams work on each semester is the Industry Practicum project, where biotech companies present a problem for MMB student teams to solve through the deployment of skills including interviewing and market research. Each semester, students are placed on new teams with different companies in order to experience diverse projects and facilitate beneficial relationships with other students.
Undergraduate research is a fantastic way for students to dip their toes into life as a professional scientist in academia. I was able to develop a variety of field- and lab-based skills as a member of three different labs, and an additional summer research program.
The skills I gained as a result of working in academic labs includes DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, Western blotting, bacterial and mammalian cell cloning, experimental plot design, and so much more!