Seravin Behnken is the Lab Supervisor at the cell culture core lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. She graduated from the Shoreline Community College Biotechnology Lab Specialist program and holds an A.S. in Biotechnology. Below, she describes bringing a detail-oriented approach to supervise the lab and oversee projects and orders.
What biotechnology program did you attend?
Shoreline Community College, Biotechnology Lab Specialist
What degree/certificate(s) do you hold?
What do you do for your job?
As lab supervisor I am responsible for daily morning meetings to delegate tasks being done for the day. Make sure the lab is running smoothly and efficiently. I also process blood, feed cultures, extract DNA, project manage, and order supplies.
What are some techniques that you commonly use?
-Pipetting.
-Use sterile technique in a biological hood
-Aliquot DNA.
-Layer blood over ficol
-PCR
-Gel electrophoresis
-ELISA
-Transform PBMC cells into immortal B-LCL
Please describe what you do in an average day
Run morning meetings. Determine how many samples will be coming in for the day. Assign samples between techs. Feed cultures. Extract DNA. Make sure that all of the paperwork for each of those things is finished. Answer questions. Process DNA or LCL orders.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in a biotech career?
Pay attention to detail! Most everything in my job hinges on that.