Cell therapy specialist
Jamie began as a computer engineering major at UCR and transitioned into the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) during her second year and graduated with a degree in Plant biology. Jamie dedicated her senior year to expanding her research experience as an undergraduate researcher. She worked in the laboratories of Dr. Mary Lu Arpaia and Dr. Philippe Rolshausen in the department of Botany & Plant Sciences. She participated in a USDA forest service’s internship germinating various native seeds in 2017.Working in a research lab helped her develop the skills and techniques needed to enter the workforce and land her current job as a Cell Therapy Specialist at Kite Pharma.
As a cell therapy specialist, she primarily focuses on what she called “re-engineering” of a patient's own white blood cells. T cells are isolated from a blood extraction and have either CAR or TCR proteins added. These now enhanced cancer targeting T cells are cultured and infused into the patient they were originally collected from. CAR is a modified protein containing an antibody fragment which allows the modified T cell to recognize targets commonly present on the surface of cancer cells. TCR is a protein that is described as giving the T cell the ability to “attack various types of tumor cells.” In summary, Jamie Venzons work primarily focuses on adding two proteins into T cells which grant the ability to recognize and attack various types of tumor.
Jamie’s advice to undergraduate students preparing to go into the workforce is to utilize school resources such as the career center, practice mock interviews, and build a strong professional network. A bachelor’s degree can be attractive to industry employers looking to hire recent graduates who are just starting out in the field. Biotechnology companies offer plenty of job training and hire people who are team players.
Interview by: Monica Farjado, Natalie Saavedra, Jeffrey Farrow and Jennifer Vasquez
As a cell therapy specialist, she primarily focuses on what she called “re-engineering” of a patient's own white blood cells. T cells are isolated from a blood extraction and have either CAR or TCR proteins added. These now enhanced cancer targeting T cells are cultured and infused into the patient they were originally collected from. CAR is a modified protein containing an antibody fragment which allows the modified T cell to recognize targets commonly present on the surface of cancer cells. TCR is a protein that is described as giving the T cell the ability to “attack various types of tumor cells.” In summary, Jamie Venzons work primarily focuses on adding two proteins into T cells which grant the ability to recognize and attack various types of tumor.
Jamie’s advice to undergraduate students preparing to go into the workforce is to utilize school resources such as the career center, practice mock interviews, and build a strong professional network. A bachelor’s degree can be attractive to industry employers looking to hire recent graduates who are just starting out in the field. Biotechnology companies offer plenty of job training and hire people who are team players.
Interview by: Monica Farjado, Natalie Saavedra, Jeffrey Farrow and Jennifer Vasquez