Presentation16 integrating soft skills eversole_cire

Biological Technology Program at Pasadena City CollegeBiological Technology Program at Pasadena City CollegeBiological Technology Program at Pasadena City CollegeBIOTECHNOLOGYBIOTECHNOLOGY

PROGRAMPROGRAM

Biological Technology ProgramBiological Technology Programg gy gg gy gPasadena City CollegePasadena City College

Natural Sciences DivisionNatural Sciences Division

Pamela EversolePamela Eversole Cire Ph DCire Ph DPamela EversolePamela Eversole--Cire, Ph.D.Cire, Ph.D.

SCBC – BioLink Conference, January 13 -14, 2012


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Mission of the Biotechnology ProgramMission of the Biotechnology Program• The Mission of the Biotechnology Program is to:• The Mission of the Biotechnology Program is to:

– prepare students, including individuals from underrepresented or i l l ti f i h b th i d ispecial populations, for careers in research, both in academia

and in industry;

– ensure that students are competitive when applying toensure that students are competitive when applying to institutions of higher education;

– facilitate internships and advanced training opportunities in a variety of research fields such as stem cell biology andvariety of research fields, such as stem cell biology and bioinformatics; and

– provide a well trained workforce to the local research community,provide a well trained workforce to the local research community, at various educational and technical levels.

1


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Biotechnology Program SuccessesBiotechnology Program SuccessesPCC biotech students are provided with a theoretical and practical• PCC biotech students are provided with a theoretical and practical education which effectively prepares them for research and various career and educational opportunities

St dents ho ha e participated in the Biotechnolog Program ha e• Students who have participated in the Biotechnology Program have successfully competed for employment opportunities in academic research laboratories and in the biotechnology industry

P ti i t h t f d t i tit ti f hi h l i t• Program participants have transferred to institutions of higher learning to continue their education

– Often after transferring, students are capable of participating in undergraduate research programs, an experience which has led to graduate school or job offers

• To date, more than 150 students have been placed as interns or hires at over 50 sites including biotechnology companies, public and private institutions, and academic research facilities in the local community

2


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Biotechnology Program DesignBiotechnology Program DesignThe biotechnology courses are taught in a working laboratory setting• The biotechnology courses are taught in a working laboratory setting

– Allows the students to learn more than just core competencies and prepares the students to work in a research laboratory environment

• Students are “employees” of the “PCC Biotech Company”F ll OSHA f t t d d– Follow OSHA safety standards

– Staff meetings – Sign in for attendance (with time stamp)– Notebook keeping skills and proper documentation of data– Photo release forms

C fid ti lit t t t t i t ll t l t i ht– Confidentiality agreements to protect intellectual property rights– Proper lab etiquette– “Hierarchy” in a research laboratory

• Instructor’s role is the Principal Investigator/Research Supervisor• Teaching Assistant’s role is a postdoc/research scientistg p• Students’ roles are graduate students/lab assistants

• Students are mentored and skills evaluated as if they were employed by a research institute or biotech company

S h d l d f l ti d ti ti f l ( d )– Scheduled performance evaluations and negotiation for salary (grade)

3


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Laboratory and Employability SkillsLaboratory and Employability SkillsStudents are trained to work in a research laboratory environment• Students are trained to work in a research laboratory environment – Work in groups– Perform laboratory procedures and experiments– Responsible for preparing own reagents and maintaining lab and p p p g g g

equipment– Learn how to document notebook properly– Participate in lab meetings

• Work environment teaches student employability skills – Maintain confidentiality– Protect intellectual property rights

• Notebook represents intellectual property of company – Time and resource management– How to work as part of a research team– Negotiation techniquesNegotiation techniques

4


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Bi l 102A

Biotechnology Core CurriculumBiotechnology Core CurriculumBiology 102A

Basic Laboratory SkillsBiology 28Bioinformatics

Biology 20Research

Biology 102BAdvanced Techniques

Biology 102CCell Culture - Mammalianq

DNA/ProteinCell Culture Mammalian

Biology 38Biology 102D gyCell and Molecular Biology

Stem Cell Culture Lab

Biology 102DInternship

Biology 171C Fluorescence Microscopy

Biology 71CRNAi Applications

Physical Science 2Stem Cell Journal Club

5


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Biotechnology Core CurriculumBiotechnology Core Curriculum• BIOL 102A* Introduction to fundamental laboratory skills Basic laboratory• BIOL 102A* Introduction to fundamental laboratory skills. Basic laboratory

techniques and use of laboratory equipment. • BIOL 102B* Advanced skills in applied biological technology. DNA and Protein

Techniques. Presentation on technique/protocol (and prepare written summaries).• BIOL 102C* Advanced skills in applied biological technology. Mammalian cell pp g gy

culture techniques. Projects demonstrate an application of cell culture. Requires preparation of a poster and presentation at a poster session.

• BIOL 102D Advanced skills in applied biological technology. Internship in a biotechnology laboratory setting (234 hours).

• BIOL 38* Cell and Molecular Biology Stem Cell Culture and Manipulation• BIOL 38* Cell and Molecular Biology. Stem Cell Culture and Manipulation Techniques. Projects require performing directed-differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and evaluation of differentiated cell types. Journal Club presentations.

• BIOL 28 Introduction to Bioinformatics. Structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, molecular modeling, sequence alignment, and database management.

• BIOL 71C* Exploring Topics in Biology – RNA Interference (RNAi). Biological mechanism and applications of RNAi.

• BIOL 171C* Exploring Topics in Biology – Applications of Fluorescence Microscopy. • PHYSC 2 Scientific Method as Critical Thinking – Stem Cell Journal Club.

* Notebook keeping skills and proper documentation of data are emphasized in all biotechnology laboratory classes at PCC to protect intellectual property rights.

6


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Performance EvaluationsPerformance Evaluations• Formal performance evaluations are performed twice each semesterFormal performance evaluations are performed twice each semester

– Students sign up for scheduled meeting time – Need to arrive on time, be prepared, and bring required materials to meeting

• PI/Supervisor reviews assignments and overall performance with student• PI/Supervisor reviews assignments and overall performance with student

• Students negotiate with PI/supervisor for pay grade – Grade is determined by the “value” the student employee has brought to the

companycompany – Value is based on work product and overall contributions to company – Assessed on both hard (laboratory) skills and soft (employability) skills

• Assessment and evaluation criteria are customized for each course and• Assessment and evaluation criteria are customized for each course and depend on the curriculum, laboratory skill set, and assignments

– Assessment tools are tailored for each course – As knowledge base builds and skill set increases, expectations and evaluation

criteria increase accordinglycriteria increase accordingly (teaches the students how to prepare for promotions in a research laboratory)

7


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Performance Evaluations Performance Evaluations –– BIOL 102ABIOL 102ABIOL 102A Introd ction to F ndamental Laborator SkillsBIOL 102A Introduction to Fundamental Laboratory Skills• Skills include:

– Basic laboratory techniques, solution preparation, sterile technique, cloning procedures, plasmid DNA purification, use of laboratory g p , p p , yequipment, and instruction on proper notebook keeping techniques

• Evaluation includes:– Midterm

• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation updated• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation, updated resume, assignments, notebook assessment

• Students are required to locate an assignment(s) in notebook using the Table of Contents and explain procedures and results in detail (simulate PI requesting information regarding experimental results)

– Final• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation, updated

resume, notebook assessment • Routine laboratory calculations performed without reference material

( )(simulate calculation assessment during an interview)• Grade (value) requested should be related to the student’s self evaluation

8


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Performance Evaluations Performance Evaluations –– BIOL 102BBIOL 102BBIOL 102B Ad anced Skills DNA and Protein Techniq esBIOL 102B Advanced Skills - DNA and Protein Techniques• Skills include:

– Electrophoretic techniques (PAGE), column chromatography, PCR, ELISA, DNA and protein purification, and Southern and Western Blot , p p ,analyses


• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation updated• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation, updated resume, assignments (written summaries), and notebook assessment

• Students are asked to explain principles governing the various techniques and procedures performed (simulate an interview where the interviewer asks detailed questions regarding techniques listed on resume)

– Final• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation, updated

resume, notebook assessment• Students are asked to explain principles governing the various techniques

and procedures performed and gene expression induction experimentand procedures performed and gene expression induction experiment• Grade (value) typically related to the student’s self evaluation results

9


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Performance Evaluations Performance Evaluations –– BIOL 102CBIOL 102CBIOL 102C Ad anced Skills Mammalian Cell C lt reBIOL 102C Advanced Skills - Mammalian Cell Culture• Skills include:

– Basic and advanced mammalian cell culture techniques. Projects demonstrate an application of cell culture (project proposal), requires pp (p j p p ), qpreparation of a poster and presentation at a poster session.


• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluationSelf evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation, assignments, notebook assessment

• Self evaluation checklist includes written explanations/calculations • Student skills are assessed using a timed practical evaluation• Peer evaluation of project proposal p j p p

(simulate peer review of grant applications)– Final

• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation, notebook assessment

• Self evaluation checklist also requires written explanations/calculations• Peer evaluation of final project presentation• Poster and poster presentation 10


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Performance Evaluations Performance Evaluations –– BIOL 38BIOL 38BIOL 38 Cell and Molec lar Biolog Stem Cell C lt reBIOL 38 Cell and Molecular Biology - Stem Cell Culture Skills include:

– Laboratory procedures for the growth and maintenance of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in culture, characterization of stem cells, y ( ) , ,non-directed and directed differentiation of stem cells, and genetic modification of stem cells. Projects require performing directed-differentiation of mouse ES cells and evaluation of differentiated cell types. Participation in a Journal Club.


• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation, notebook assessment

• Peer evaluation of Journal Club presentation• Peer evaluation of project proposal (simulate peer review of grant applications)

– Final• Self evaluation checklist and written performance evaluation, notebook p

assessment• Peer evaluation of final project presentation• Grade (value) typically related to the student’s self evaluation results. 11


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Sample Written Evaluation FormSample Written Evaluation FormBIOL 102A, Fall 2011 Midterm/Final EvaluationBasic Lab Skills Name:________________

Date:_________________

Please write a brief statement regarding your overall “job” performance in Bio 102A, Fall 2011 (address the following areas: attendance, punctuality, teamwork, bench skills, interpersonal skills, contributions to company, notebook documentation, etc.)

What do you think your “value” to the PCC Biotech Company was in Bio 102A Fall 2011 (in terms of a letter grade)?

Dates absent:

Supervisor’s (Instructor’s) comments:

15


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Sample Checklist Evaluation FormSample Checklist Evaluation FormMidterm/Final EvaluationName:________________Date:_________________

Exceeds Meets Needs Not

AttendancePunctualityPreparedness

ExceedsStandards

MeetsStandards

Needs Work

Not Applicable

PreparednessRespect for othersInterpersonal skillsParticipationTeamworkOverall contributionsBench SkillsCalculations/mathDocumentation/Notebook

Instructor EvaluationSkills/assignments receiving an Exceeds Standards ranking receive a check+ (performed superior to standard)Skills/assignments receiving a Meets Standards ranking

i h k ( f d i t l t t d d)Project ProposalFinal Project Presentation

receive a check (performed appropriately to standard)Skills/assignments receiving a Needs Work ranking receive a check- (not performed appropriately to standard)

12


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Sample Checklist Evaluation FormSample Checklist Evaluation FormBIOL 102B Midterm/Final EvaluationDNA and Protein Techniques Name:________________

Date:_________________

Exceeds Meets Needs Not

Standard CurveELISAAffinity Column

PAGE

ExceedsStandards

MeetsStandards

Needs Work

Not Applicable

PAGEGel drying Procedure

GFP CharacterizationGrowth CurvePurification of GFP-hydropobic column

Western Blot AnalysisGFP induction curve-sample collectionProtein AssayProtein Standard CurveProtein Concentration Calculations

Instructor Evaluation (Notebook)Skills/assignments receiving an Exceeds Standards ranking receive a check+ (performed superior to standard)Skills/assignments receiving a Meets Standards ranking

PAGEElectroblot protein transferDetection

receive a check (performed appropriately to standard)Skills/assignments receiving a Needs Work ranking receive a check- (not performed appropriately to standard)

13


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Sample ChecklistSample Checklist--Written Assessment FormWritten Assessment FormBiology 102C Final Evaluation QuestionsBiological Technology - Cell Culture Techniques Name:_______________________Instructor: Dr. Pamela Eversole-Cire Date:________________________

Cell Culture Equipment Exceeds Meets Needs Not Cell Culture EquipmentLaminar Flow Hood (type, function, and use)CO2 Incubator (conditions)LN2 tankMicroscope (type and use)Hemocytometer (dimensions of 4x4 grid; use)

Standards Standards Work Applicable

y ( g ; )Overview of Basic Cell Culture ProceduresCryopreservation of cells (procedure)Thawing of cells (procedure)Maintenance of cells in culture Data record

Written assessment evaluates students’ knowledge and understanding of basic cell culture techniques. Short responses to describe proper se of cellCulture vessels (sizes and types)

Preparing medium (composition), etc.Specialized Cell Culture TechniquesTransfection Primary culture, etc.Cell Culture Safety PrecautionsDi l f t

Short responses to describe proper use of cell culture equipment, overview of basic cell culture procedures, and specialized techniques. Includes calculations.

Disposal of wasteContamination/decontamination,etc.Calculations…

Simulates interview involving written assessment and sample calculations.

14


PROGRAMPROGRAM

Successful Training ComponentsSuccessful Training ComponentsPCC Bi t h l P f ll t d t t k i• PCC Biotechnology Program successfully prepares students to work in a research laboratory environment

– Teaching biotechnology courses in manner to closely simulate the work environment in academic research laboratories and in the biotech industry

– Emphasizing proper notebook keeping and documentation of data as well as– Emphasizing proper notebook keeping and documentation of data as well as signing confidentiality agreements trains a student to protect intellectual property rights

– Working in groups teaches a student how to be an effective team member– Designing and performing experiments teaches a student the fundamentals of

d i hconducting research – Understand laboratory responsibilities by preparing own reagents and

maintaining lab and equipment– Learn time and resource management

Participation in lab related activities meetings and journal clubs prepares– Participation in lab related activities - meetings and journal clubs - prepares students to be a productive member of a research laboratory

• Mentoring and evaluating performance and acquired laboratory skills as if students were employed by a research institute or biotech company is a key element to the successful students outcomeselement to the successful students outcomes

16


PROGRAMPROGRAM

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• Wendie Johnston, Ph.D. for having the foresight to design the PCC Biotechnology Program to properly prepare students to work in a research laboratory environment

• David Douglass Ph D Dean of the Natural SciencesDavid Douglass, Ph.D., Dean of the Natural Sciences Division

• PCC Biotechnology Program students and participants

Education

Presentation16 integrating soft skills eversole_cire