SCC biotechnology program receives education grant

By John Glidden

jglidden@timesheraldonline.com @glid24 on Twitter

Jim DeKloe couldn't contain his excitement Wednesday morning as he stood smiling next to "Thelma," explaining the work that "she" does in room 1852 on the main Solano Community College campus.

"Thelma" stands around 6 feet tall, with various tubbing and hoses sprouting from all over "her" stainless steel body, making her unique to the college.

DeKloe, a biotechnology professor at SCC, had another reason to smile one that will keep "Thelma" working for a while.

Recently, SCC was awarded a National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education grant in the amount of $199,960.

The grant will be used to fund SCC's Single-Use Bioreactor Systems Education and Training Program, or "SUBSET."

"We are the first college, two-year or four-year, to focus on biotechnology manufacturing," DeKloe said to assembled dignitaries, who were on hand to hear about the biotechnology program at SCC. "The program focuses on the business and science of biotechnology."

DeKloe said that the SCC biotechnology program is training students to get jobs in the biotechnology world, with many finding jobs at Genentech.

"Around 100 (SCC) students have gone on to Genentech," he said. "15,000 jobs in the life sciences will be open in the next few years."

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SCC biotechnology program receives education grant