Biotech Beat: Marine Biology in Mexico City to Synthego in SF--Step by Step

In this February 3, 2025 episode of the Biotech Beat podcast you will meet Artemisa, a City College of San Francisco (CCSF) alumna who moved from Mexico City (her home town) to San Francisco, and developed into a Senior Lab Associate along the way. Although she earned a Master's degree in Marine Biology while in Mexico City it was hard to find jobs so she moved to San Francisco, where she had to put her love for biology on hold for about 8 years.  But her passion never waned, and when she discovered the Biotechnology program at CCSF, the magic started!  She knew the program would help her overcome her lack of experience in America, and help her start her American career.

Artemisa's particular interest in CRISPR technology, and she is currently employed by Synthego where she started as part of the HPLC team, and worked her way up to her current position where she is involved in synthesizing RNA guides for CRISPR applications. She remembers how she felt on her first day at Synthego, both well-prepared because CCSF gave her many of the tools and skills she needed to be ready for work, but also a bit apprehensive because her original position required her to use her knowledge of HPLC, which she not used since she left Mexico City eight years prior! On that first day, her new colleagues challenged her to solve an HPLC problem they were experiencing, and it went well even with her nervousness--the company really supported her as she worked her way back into the lab. Artemis believes that level one lab associates make between $25 and $28 an hour, while a senior level lab associate could make between $30 and $34. Other specialists within the company make between $90,000 and $120,000 a year. Benefits at the company also include paid meals, snacks, shuttles (to avoid driving in that SF traffic) and unlimited vacations, you are free to take the time you need--although that does not mean a year!  

Her advice:  Focus on what you want to do, and make sure you both the lab techniques have the soft skills that a career needs and be both punctual and curious!

Biotech is not her only passion, Artemisa is also a singer, and works and performs with her husband to rescue and showcase Latin music as part of a larger arts community.

Biotech Beat podcast, hosted by Peter Kazarinoff, Editor in Chief of the Journal of Advanced Technological Education (JATE)

Tune in on Spotify,  iHeart Radio, or Apple Podcasts for more of Artermisa's story and why focus will get your far.

Funded by NSF grant  Alumni and Industry Engagement ATE project (DUE 2202011)