BioTC Oklahoma Announces New Hires and Travels to Inaugural National BioPharma Workforce Partnership Conference
BioTC Executive Director, Koey Keylon, presenting at NIIMBL
Oklahoma City, OK - BioTC Oklahoma, a new Oklahoma City Innovation District endeavor in biomanufacturing and biopharmaceutical training and education, is proud to announce recent additions to its team, as well as participation in the first "U.S. BioPharma Workforce Partnership Conference" hosted by The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) in Boston, MA.
Brandy Kickapoo joins BioTC as the Upstream Cell Culture Specialist/Instructor, bringing over 16 years of experience in the biotechnology industry. With a background in Analytical Development, Process Development, and Quality Control, Brandy's expertise will enhance BioTC's upstream bioprocessing curriculum and training programs.
Charles Burton, the new Quality Control (QC) Analyst/Microbiology Instructor, brings a wealth of knowledge from previous years' experience with Immuno-Mycologics Inc. and Cytovance Biologics. His focus on bioanalytical assays and microbial test methods will enrich BioTC's QC training and certification courses.
Kacy Unsell has been appointed as the Downstream Purification Specialist/ Instructor. With extensive experience Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) production operations at Avara Pharmaceuticals and downstream biomanufacturing processes while at Cytovance Biologics, Kacy’s role will strengthen BioTC's capabilities in teaching downstream protein filtration and purification processes and techniques.
Megan Crow brings a wealth of experience to her role as Business and Workforce Manager at BioTC. While an Oklahoma native, her journey led her out of state to St. Louis and Chicago, where she excelled in leading technical recruiting for both biotech and software companies. Megan is now back making connections in Oklahoma to solidify BioTC’s pipeline of talent and networking with local and regional industry partners for employment placement of future program graduates.
In line with its commitment to advancing industry knowledge and best practices, BioTC participated in the inaugural "U.S. BioPharma Workforce Partnership Conference" organized by NIIMBL in Boston, MA.
The conference brought together leading experts, educators, and industry professionals to discuss workforce development strategies and innovations in the biopharmaceutical sector. Representatives from more than 70 organizations turned out to form new partnerships and share best practices for talent development. Sessions throughout the two-day conference focused on skills-first hiring, early career success stories, partnerships, the role of intermediaries, and the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in hiring practices.
About BioTC Oklahoma: BioTC Oklahoma, the state's pioneering biomanufacturing workforce training center, is an initiative spearheaded by the Oklahoma City Innovation District. This endeavor marks a step forward in Oklahoma's bioindustry landscape, aiming to bridge the gap between skilled talent and the growing demands of the biotechnology sector. Through state-of-the-art training programs and industry partnerships, BioTC Oklahoma is poised to cultivate a highly skilled workforce, driving innovation and economic growth in the region.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Emma Anderson
Marketing Manager
emma.anderson@okcinnovation.com
Oklahoma City Innovation District | BioTC Oklahoma