Miramar College’s Biotechnology Program has long been preparing students for San Diego’s dynamic life sciences industry, with an impact that extends well beyond the college classroom.
On campus, biotech students gain hands-on experience that reflects real-world industry practices, from lab techniques to quality-controlled production processes. Many go on to internships with governmental agencies and local industry partners, building the skills and confidence needed to transfer to a four-year institution, enter the workforce, and contribute to one of the region’s most important industries.
The Southern California Biotechnology Center at Miramar is also strengthening pathways for the next generation of students, supporting 4,000 to 5,000 high school students each year with classroom curriculum and lab kits, as well as opportunities to earn college credit. Some students even complete the full biotech certificate before graduating high school.
New initiatives are expanding that pipeline even further. An upcoming Summer Bridge experience will help high school students deepen their lab skills and stay engaged in biotechnology as they transition to community college, while new ninth-grade curriculum introduces younger students to potential careers they may not have considered. Events like Biotech Family Day bring students and their families onto campus, providing a connection to higher education and increasing awareness of free community college pathways and future career opportunities.
The program’s impact extends to educators throughout San Diego County. A growing community of practice for high school teachers provides professional development, shared resources, and access to emerging biotech curriculum, helping ensure classroom instruction stays current and aligned with evolving industry needs.
The program also works with a dynamic Advisory Board whose members provide guidance, perspective, and support from across the biotechnology community.
Together, these efforts are building a more connected and inclusive educational pipeline while addressing the workforce demands of San Diego’s vital biotech sector.
Unfortunately, some of the grant funding that has supported these high-impact programs is expected to end in the near future. For this work to continue and thrive, public support will be essential.
The Miramar College Foundation is now offering a way for the community to ensure these opportunities remain available. When you make a charitable donation to the Foundation, you can choose to direct your gift to the Biotech Program.
Your support will help sustain hands-on learning experiences, student internships, high school outreach, educator support, and other initiatives that will benefit our biotech students, educators, industry partners, and the regional workforce for many years to come.
You can learn more about the Miramar College Biotechnology Program here.
Biotech Student Voices:
“This program opened my eyes to the reality of being in this career and allows me to see what topics I'm academically interested in to pursue them as a bachelor/master/PhD later in life. To spend time in an actual biotechnology company is the only way to learn about what you like and don't like about the industry, potentially enough to determine if you go into a company or not as a career.” – Zori
“They truly do care about the interns and help learn and get first-hand experience while explaining concepts and why things are done in a certain manner all the while ensuring a welcoming environment.” – Javier
Image
