Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE)
Samantha Leano
Site Coordinator/Lab Technician at Pasadena Bio Collaborative Incubator Samantha Leano received her bachelor’s in biotechnology and bioinformatics, with a minor in human rights at the University of California, Davis. For almost 3 years, Samantha has dedicated her life to research in both the pharmaceutical and agricultural industry. She has collaborated on numerous projects with a variety of departments like the UC Davis Plant Sciences and Agricultural department, UC Davis Medical Center in partner with the FDA, and Cedar Sinai Medical Center. Her most notable, and more recent, research is her own study in creating deep-learning simulations in understanding evolutionary selective sweeps in domesticated sunflowers (which is her favorite plant!). Samantha is a current member of the Botanical Society of America, which is an organization that hopes to inspire and promote knowledge and innovation in the botanical sciences for the benefit of students and the environment. Aside from her research, she has also volunteered in many grassroots organizations in support of climate change, gun control, and tailoring medicine for minority communities. She still finds time to donate blood and participate in disaster training through the Red Cross LA-chapter. Samantha’s hobbies include volunteering, spending time with family and friends, and attending research conferences. Her favorite book series is MARCH by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin. As the PBC site coordinator, she works in collaboration with teachers on creating an inclusive learning environment to help teachers and students acquire hands-on lab experience in biotechnology.
https://www.amgenbiotechexperience.net/losangeles/about
Shahira Badran
Site Director of the ABE Greater LA Program Shahira Badran joined the ABE LA team as site director on April 10, 2023. Shahira is a multilingual and multicultural Biology and Biotechnology Educator and Content Expert with 25 years of experience in teaching and educational consulting. Shahira holds a master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics, a master’s degree in Science Education, and a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology/Chemistry. Shahira dedicated her career to academic teaching and promoting STEM/biotechnology education. Her experience teaching a diverse student body including historically underserved and underrepresented minorities, first-generation youth and non-traditional adult learners prompted her to develop instructional and assessment tools and strategies that bridge academic, ethnic, gender and socio-economic gaps to overcome historical patterns of exclusion which impacted participation patterns and learning outcomes within STEM and higher education. Shahira serves as principal instructor and content expert at the “Biotechnology Bridge Training Academy,” a workforce development program that prepares students, nontraditional adult learners, and professionals for biotechnology careers using an updated industry-specific curriculum and engaging instructional strategies that she developed. Shahira served as adjunct professor of biology at multiple campuses in the LA area and as tenure-track associate professor and biotechnology program coordinator at Bunker Hill Community College, MA, where she designed and developed the curriculum for a two-year associate degree in Biological Sciences with a biotechnology option for employment and a transfer option. Shahira consulted as board secretary and executive assistant for Nammi Therapeutics, a biotech startup specializing in Chemo- immunotherapy for cancer treatment and serves as educational consultant and industry coach in multiple Biotech initiatives and biotech industry trade organizations. Shahira is a certified facilitator for anti-bias professional development training for educators at the Museum of Tolerance, where she also volunteers as docent and exhibit guide. Her work focuses on social justice standards and anti-racist pedagogy as a foundation for anti-bias education to promote culturally responsive teaching practices. Shahira thoroughly enjoys both aspects of her career: biotechnology education and anti-bias education. She “projects” rather than “predicts” students’ academic and professional future by believing in each student’s potential for transformation and success.