Can you share a bit about your background and how you got involved with Bioversity?
I am a Northeastern University Mechanical Engineering graduate with 30 years of experience in biotech manufacturing at Sanofi-Genzyme. Over the course of my career, I progressed from Manufacturing Operator to Director of Manufacturing, gaining firsthand insight into the industry at multiple levels. Throughout this journey, my most rewarding experiences came from training teams, helping them solve problems, and improving their overall work experience.
In 2019, I left Sanofi-Genzyme (now Sanofi) to focus on applying my process improvement and lean training in a more personal, hands-on way as a contract trainer. In support of this transition, I became a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and spent a year and a half honing my skills as a corporate trainer.
I first learned about Bioversity through a friend at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS). We immediately saw how well it aligned with my experience and passion for training. He introduced me to Bioversity Executive Director Zach Stanley and MCPHS Executive Director for Strategic Partnerships and Dean of the School of Professional Studies Carol Stuckey, and the rest is history!
Tell us about the content you teach and what role it plays in helping Bioversity students prepare to start their new career in the life sciences.
I am currently instructing my fourth Bioversity cohort, teaching Job Application Prep. This course helps students develop a skills-based résumé that highlights their valuable and highly sought-after transferable skills, create and maintain an eye-catching LinkedIn profile and understand and respond effectively to common interview questions. Students also participate in practice interviews with industry volunteers, refining their communication and interview skills to build confidence for real-world job opportunities.
In addition, I teach Laboratory Inventory Management, a course that has proven to be highly relevant for recruiters seeking candidates for lab operations roles.
In your experience, what sets Bioversity students apart from those you’ve taught or worked with in the past?
Having been on both sides of corporate training, I know that employees are often distracted by being away from their work and may not always be enthusiastic about spending extended time in a training room.
At Bioversity, however, the difference is striking. The students want to be there. They bring a strong sense of motivation and determination to succeed, fully engaging in the learning process and embracing the opportunity to build a new career. For them, this program is truly life-changing—and for me, being part of their journey is incredibly rewarding.
What is the most important lesson or piece of wisdom you hope to impart to your students during their time in the program?
My title slide for each Job Application Prep session features a quote attributed to John Wooden: “Confidence comes from being prepared.” Bioversity students have already demonstrated initiative and commitment by applying and being accepted into the program—an essential first step toward their new careers.
As they progress through the program, they build not only technical knowledge and familiarity with lab equipment, but also critical professional skills to effectively market their value. It is truly inspiring to witness their transformation from week one to graduation, growing in both competence and confidence.
My goal is for every student to leave Bioversity knowing that they have the skills, knowledge, and preparation to successfully step into an early-career role in life sciences with confidence.
“You have a lot to offer this industry, and you will be ready”.
This blog was originally posted to the Bioversity website.
