Video summary
Bill Heelan is deeply passionate about addressing antibiotic resistance, which the World Health Organization identifies as one of the top ten global health threats. In his research within Jason Peters' lab, he utilizes CRISPR tools to investigate essential genes in the bacterial pathogen *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* and understand how these genetic pathways contribute to drug resistance. The ultimate goal of this work is to discover solutions that can render such pathogens susceptible again to new antibiotics currently available on the market, thereby helping to combat a critical issue facing modern medicine.
Heelan faced significant uncertainty early in his career regarding whether to pursue an academic or industrial path after graduation, but he found clarity through the Biotechnology Training Program (BTP). This initiative offers graduate students a unique opportunity to explore various job opportunities and gain practical experience by completing internships with industry partners. During his time at Promega, a biotechnology company in Madison, Wisconsin, Heelan worked on virology projects that were distinct from his PhD research, demonstrating how the program encourages stepping out of one's comfort zone to apply laboratory skills in different settings.
A key insight he gained is that while many doctoral students focus intensely on their specific four-to-seven-year research project, it is easy to overlook the necessity of acquiring diverse skills and training to remain competitive in the biotechnology sector. Heelan emphasizes that what a student studies in the lab does not have to be exactly what they work on professionally; instead, the transferable skills developed during an internship are invaluable. The program provides essential networking opportunities with industry leaders who share insights about their companies and previous intern experiences, helping students build a robust professional network beyond their immediate research circle.
Ultimately, Heelan believes that the Biotechnology Training Program significantly accelerates career development by pushing scientists to broaden their horizons and adaptability. By engaging in real-world applications of scientific knowledge through internships like his at Promega, researchers can translate fundamental lab skills into practical solutions for industry challenges. This exposure not only enhances marketability but also fosters personal growth as a scientist who is prepared to tackle complex problems across various sectors rather than remaining confined to a single academic niche.
Read the full video transcript
What I'm passionate about right now is
antibiotic resistance. World Health
Organization lists it as a top 10
[music] global health threat, and I'm
happy to be a part of the solution.
In Jason Peters' lab, we utilize CRISPR
tools [music] to explore the function of
essential genes and how they contribute
to antibiotic resistance.
I work on the bacterial pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and we're
exploring fundamental essential [music]
genes and essential gene pathways
so that we can ultimately find solutions
to allow it to become susceptible to new
antibiotics on the market. Ever since
being a part of research, I really was
torn between academia or industry.
[music] The Biotechnology Training
Program is this exciting opportunity for
graduate students to see what jobs are
available following graduation. The best
part of the program is being able to
complete an internship. [music] There's
a lot of industry partners that come and
speak to us during our seminar series,
and they outline what their company
looks like and what other interns have
done [music] for them. I worked at
Promega, a biotechnology company located
here in Madison, Wisconsin. Going into
that internship, a lot of the work was
focused [music] on virology. So, that's
not something that I'm studying during
my PhD, and as long [music] as you have
that passion and willingness to learn,
you're able to take the skills from your
lab, and you can apply it to different
settings, and I think that was one of
the most exciting breakthroughs [music]
for me in my PhD career.
I think a lot of [music] the times, um,
PhD students are very focused on their
project that they're working towards
for, you know, 4 to 7 years, and and
it's very easy to lose sight that you
need to pick up different skills and
trainings [music] in order to be
marketable, um, in the biotechnology
space. What you're studying in lab
doesn't necessarily have to be [music]
what you're working on, um, in your
career, but the skills that I'm gaining
and the networking opportunities that
are there [music]
available through BTP can really push
you forward, and it really helps develop
me as a scientist.