Marissa Lynne Bennett ’18

 

Major: Biology

Minor: Neuroscience

Other degrees:Master of Science in Biotechnology from Brown University

Current Employer: Amgen

Current Title: Process Development Senior Associate

 

Tell me about your work in the Regis zebrafish lab.
My work in the zebrafish lab allowed me to author my own protocol and report, which is something I do often now in my work at Amgen. While working with Dr. Shari Litch Gray, associate professor of biology, I gained valuable experience on how to authorize protocols, analyze data, and write the final report. This experience helped me confirm that this was a path I wanted to take and gave me confidence as I entered my position at Amgen.

What do you do at Amgen?
I design experiments to help mimic small-scale manufacturing stability studies that help mitigate potential issues that may arise during large-scale manufacturing. I also work on formulation-based studies to help establish platform approaches and help solve day-to-day experimental challenges.

How did your Regis experience prepare you for your career?
All the mentors I had and internships I took part in during my time at Regis really helped shape me into the scientist I am today. I had the opportunity to take part in seminars where we reviewed the current literature, presented the data to our group, and then received feedback on our overall presentation skills. This has helped me tremendously while working at Amgen because I am constantly presenting data packages and presentations to upper leadership teams.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
As part of my master’s program at Brown University, I was accepted into a research assistant position in the Neurotrauma and Brain Barriers Research Laboratory, where I continued the research on traumatic brain injury (TBI) that I started at Regis. I earned first authorship on a paper published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, which was primarily focused on the research I completed at Brown on TBI. This acknowledgment pushed me to work harder and validated that this is what I am meant to do in life. I am also very honored to work in my field at such a renowned biopharmaceutical company.

What’s your one piece of advice for current Regis students?
Take advantage of all the opportunities available at Regis and continue to pursue your goals. Always take any opportunity where you can meet and network with others in your field of interest. The relationships you build now can help you grow in your own career.