Bringing the Lab to Life

For most students, interning in a research laboratory would be intimidating. But for the students in CNM’s Biotechnology program, it was like stepping into their comfort zone.  

“The program prepared me so well for my internship at UNM North Campus. On my first day, I already knew many of the techniques that were being used and could keep up with the post-graduate students I was working with,” says Veronica Hibler, a recent graduate.

All CNM biotechnology students are eligible to participate in the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) BioBridge program. This 10-week, paid internship program gives students the chance to work with scientists from UNM on specific research experiments, which span disciplines from microbiology to environmental science. 

The EPSCoR BioBridge program, funded by the National Science Foundation, is designed to create more robust and inclusive research opportunities for students. It also helps students discover career pathways in research and other STEM-related fields while compensating them for their work.

Even though Manuel Bustillos-Lopez had recently completed his dual credit studies, he came back for the summer EPSCoR program because he wanted to have the hands-on experience.  

“I had already graduated from the biotechnology program, but my instructors from CNM helped me apply for the EPSCoR program, which I was so grateful for,” he says, “I was assigned to the UNM North Campus and worked on experiments focused on circular RNA. The lab was amazing and I felt ahead of the game because of what I’d learned in the biotech program.”

For Katrina Caulder, the summer internship program was intensive, but she received plenty of support and encouragement.

“I was feeling overwhelmed over the summer and called my instructor, Megan Hancock, for advice,” she says. “She gave me some encouragement and reminded me that the program was designed to challenge me. That really solidified in mind that that I was and am capable of doing hard things.”

At the end of the 10-week internship, Veronica, Mauel, Katrina, and their other classmates presented their research experiments to each other, which ranged from studying cardiovascular aging to pain management treatments. They also recently presented their experiments at the New Mexico Research Symposium, which brings together students and scientists from around the state.

From the instructor perspective, seeing students excel both personally and professionally is also rewarding.

“Every single one of these students is at the top of their game, and I’m so fortunate to get to work with each of them,” says Heather Simpson, one of CNM’s biotechnology instructors. “It’s amazing to see them gain the technical skills they need in a lab setting, but they also develop the ability to work on a team, troubleshoot problems, and communicate well, and this program is just their first steppingstone towards a successful career.”