by Maria Khochinskaya
The biotechnology undergraduate major at SU is relatively new, having only been accessible since the 2010-11 academic year as the university strove to keep up with the development of this emerging profession. According to Kat Fallon-Underwood, president of the Biotechnology Society at Syracuse University (BSSU) and a master's student in biotechnology, BSSU is increasing as the subject itself advances, and the students network with experts in the biotech field while also developing career-preparation skills such as resume writing.
“The club is growing because with everything going on with COVID and Regeneron creating the antibody cocktail, and Pfizer making a vaccine, we’re kind of right in the field, everywhere,” says Fallon-Underwood.
The biotech major, according to BSSU treasurer Tommy Magda, is a blend of a biology degree and a business degree. The major provides students with the capabilities they need to operate outside of the laboratory by offering courses in both the biology department and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. “It allows you to have the benefit of not just working in research, but also helps those students who are entrepreneur-ly smart,” Magda says.
Fallon-Underwood formed the club in May 2019 with BSSU vice president Grace Hartung and a few 2020 graduates with the purpose of providing as many chances as possible to students interested in the field of biotechnology. "The idea was to establish a space for like-minded individuals who have an interest or a love in the subject of biotechnology," Fallon-Underwood explains.
BSSU is available to all majors and not only allows students to communicate with others who are interested in biotechnology, but it also prepares students for life after college. Members network with speakers from key firms in the sector and attend courses on resume writing, interviewing skills and salary negotiation.
“It’s just stuff you don’t learn in the classroom,” Fallon-Underwood says. “We want our members to have that same experience and to gain their confidence and to find their place.”
The biotech club's diverse activities are carried out with the students' futures in mind, according to Magda. The group seeks to offer its members an advantage in a competitive world by assisting them in obtaining internships and networking. Surabhi Raina, a biology professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, noted that opportunities presented to students through the club resulted in roughly a dozen internships and even employment.
“It’s going to grow,” says Fallon-Underwood. “It’s going to thrive. Like we said, biotech is only growing, and everyone is really interested in what’s going on with it.”