ATE Project Talks: Nanopore DNA sequencing and Workplace Navigation

Talk 1:  Workplace Navigation: Empowering Student Success in the Workplace

Speakers:  Karen Leung, PhD, MiraCosta College, CA and Naledi Saul, University of California, San Francisco 

• Description: Technical proficiency alone doesn’t guarantee success - students also need to understand workplace culture, management styles, and the unspoken expectations that shape their day-to-day experience. Workplace Navigation Training builds the self-awareness and situational awareness students need to evaluate different work environments, communicate effectively, and proactively respond when challenges occur - skills that 95% of surveyed alumni rated as critical or very important to their career success. Through our current NSF ATE project (DUE #2500518, 2500519), we are partnering with MiraCosta College and InnovATEBIO to launch a national Workplace Navigation Hub and develop Canvas-based Workplace Navigation Modules that any community college program can adopt. We will pilot, assess, and iteratively improve these modules with input from 15 technical education programs across the nation. 

Talk 2:  Nanopore Sequencing and Undergraduate Research

Speaker:  Joseph Oleniczak, PhD, Austin Community College, TX, Kasia Dinkeloo, Co-PI, University of Texas at Austin; Angela Consani, Co-PI, Bioscience Core Skills Institute; Anna Feitzinger, Co-PI, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center; Savanah Senn, Co-PI, Los Angeles Pierce College

• Description: This project expands workforce training in nanopore sequencing to prepare students for careers in the U.S. bioscience industry, where demand for this advanced technology is rapidly growing. It develops two nanopore sequencing–based mini course-based undergraduate research experiences that engage students in authentic, industry-level research using modern sequencing and bioinformatics tools. In parallel, the project creates two industry-certified nanopore sequencing micro-credentials, guided by a business and industry leadership team, to certify students’ mastery of employer-valued technician skills.