Senior Assembly Technician
Tabor is a Biologist / Senior Assembly Technician in Florida. According to Grindrod, the BACE helped him find a research position while he was a student. Now he helps fight COVID-19.
Where did you attend college?
The University of Florida.
What degree or certificate(s) do you hold?
I have a Bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Florida, and the BACE credential from Biotility.
Where are you currently working?
CURIS Decontamination
What is your job title?
Biologist / Senior Assembly Technician
What you do for your job?
I work as both a biologist and senior assembly technician. In my manufacturing role, I assemble the CURIS Decontamination machines. Our company uses these to decontaminate environments and kill pathogens. In my science role, I write blogs and research papers about the company's products. CURIS's decontamination machine kills disease-causing microbes by creating a fog with hydrogen peroxide. The machine has been added to the EPA's List N and can be used against SARS-CoV-2. The hands-on work assembling the decontamination machines really helps me understand the inner mechanisms that make the machine function.
I also set up research projects to help the company explore new ideas for decontamination.
How did you decide on a biotechnology career?
I completed the BACE (Biotechnician Aptitude and Competency Exam) in high school. The BACE was invaluable in helping me to get into the University of Florida, and in finding my way into a research lab at the university.
In college, I gained a lot of experience volunteering in a research laboratory. This experience was incredibly helpful for my future. Knowing how to use the lab equipment, a skill I learned when preparing for the BACE, gave me a huge edge when I was applying to labs. From academics to the industry, the lab skills and credential I got for them gave me an edge over my peers and were well worth the effort.
What do you like best about this career?
I love the freedom of the job. I am allowed to work on a wide variety of different and exciting projects, and I always find myself working at the front edge of the decontamination field. I enjoy being at the forefront of research and development in the industry.