Life-Changing Science: The BioBuilder Podcast

BioBuilder Educational Foundation
  • 5.0 (3)
  • LIFE SCIENCES

Monthly episodes explore the impact of BioBuilder on the careers of our guests, from graphic designers to teachers, entrepreneurs, and students.

  1. 12/30/2025

    Don't Panic - This Is the Hitchhiker's Guide to BioBuilder

    A year-end reunion with artists, educators, and students shows how curiosity becomes practice, projects, and careers across bioart, education technology, diagnostics, and materials science. We share real tools, honest challenges, and clear next steps for learning and building. • Bioart as living practice and display challenges • Automation shaping creative and scientific workflows • At-home and classroom biotech kits scaling access • Simulators and free curricula overcoming logistics • Bioplastics, biomanufacturing, and practical AI modules • Student paths into labs, diagnostics, and publishing • Double majors and interdisciplinary momentum • Moving from competitions to peer-reviewed research • AI’s risks and value in authentic learning • Materials science pivots from first principles If you're listening to this and you're a student wondering if you belong in science, you do. If you're a teacher wondering if this work matters, it does. Keep asking questions, keep building, keep being curious. Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/ And follow BioBuilder on social media: https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/ https://twitter.com/SystemsSally https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/16132078

    1h 11m

  2. 10/25/2025

    Maria Bennes: A Veteran Educator Changing Lives with Hands-On Science

    What happens when a pharma trainer, academic workshop lead, and high school teacher are all the same person? You get a blueprint for science education that actually prepares students for real biotech work. We sit down with Maria Bennes, a biotech instructor at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational High School, to unpack how tailored communication, hands-on practice, and community support turn nervous ninth graders into lab-ready talent. Maria traces the throughline of her career—education as audience-aware communication—from teaching doctors and patients about new therapies to running stem cell workshops for researchers, and now guiding teens through tissue culture, ELISAs, and bioreactors. She explains why BioBuilder stands out: a soup-to-nuts ecosystem of curriculum, purchasing pathways, troubleshooting support, and an active community that helps teachers deliver impactful labs under real-world constraints. The result is a PD model that’s flexible, accessible, and grounded in biomanufacturing fundamentals like aseptic technique, upstream processes, and quality mindset. We also dive into the vocational program design that mirrors a workday: safety briefings, lab coats on, then hours of wet lab practice. Students earn OSHA 10, ACS safety, and Six Sigma micro-credentials while mastering pipetting, chromatography, Western blots, gel electrophoresis, transformations, and transfections. With equipment like biosafety cabinets, CO2 incubators, spectrophotometers, and small bioreactors, learners build muscle memory and judgment—not just vocabulary. The culture reframes “failure” as iteration, so confidence grows alongside competence. If you care about STEM pipelines, workforce readiness, or simply making science feel possible, this conversation offers practical takeaways for teachers, students, and industry partners. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review with the one lab skill you think every student should learn first. Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/ And follow BioBuilder on social media: https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/ https://twitter.com/SystemsSally https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/16132078

    30 min

  3. 08/31/2025

    From Classroom to Career: Edwin Gonzalez and his Biotech Journey

    Edwin Gonzalez shares his journey from a BioBuilder apprentice to becoming a lead scientific support specialist at Thermo Fisher by age 23, highlighting how hands-on experiences and mentorship shaped his career path. • Middle school science teacher sparked Edwin's interest in science through engaging projects and supportive environment • First in his family to pursue science, without STEM role models at home • Joined BioBuilder apprenticeship program in 2019 after learning about it from a classmate • Gained first hands-on lab experience learning aseptic technique, pipetting, PCR, and bacterial transformation • Worked on biodesign project to create a device detecting airborne allergens • BioBuilder experience helped him decide to major in biology at Suffolk University • Skills learned at BioBuilder created foundation that made college coursework easier • Landed first industry position at Novo Nordisk through connections from a LabCentral internship • Currently works at Thermo Fisher as a lead scientific support specialist • Role combines lab operations, facilities management and direct research support • Recommends exploring multiple aspects of biology to build a diverse toolkit of experiences Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/ And follow BioBuilder on social media: https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/ https://twitter.com/SystemsSally https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/16132078

    27 min

  4. 06/30/2025

    Curiosity, Teamwork, and Synthetic Biology: Building Solutions for Real-World Problems

    In this inspiring episode of the BioBuilder Podcast, Dev and Joshua, co-founders of the startup AIVON, take listeners through their personal journeys of curiosity, innovation, and social impact. The conversation weaves through their formative experiences with science and technology, their time in the BioBuilderClub, and their ambitious venture into the world of AI-powered healthcare.  Origins of Scientific CuriosityDev recounts how growing up in a science-loving household, with parents and an aunt deeply engaged in the subject, laid the groundwork for his fascination. From tinkering with technology alongside his dad to wondering about disease mechanisms, he developed an early love for biology and engineering. This curiosity eventually led him to Alliance Academy, where he joined the BioBuilder Club, a decision that would define much of his scientific identity.  The BioBuilder ExperienceAs part of the BioBuilder program, Dev and his team designed a sustainable biofiltration system that uses genetically engineered bacteria (E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas putida) to remove heavy metals from water. The bacteria were enhanced with plasmids encoding metal-detoxifying enzymes and embedded in a biochar-based medium for stability and efficiency. Their modular, scalable filter design bridged biology and engineering in a way that was both educational and impactful. Dev credits BioBuilder for teaching him adaptability, technical rigor, and how to bring abstract ideas to life.  Collaboration & DiscoveryThe episode explores how Dev collaborated with peers to develop their project, noting “aha!” moments when the science began to click. The iterative nature of their work, coupled with expert guidance from mentors like Dr. Grace Vezeau and Ms. Caroline Matarrese, helped deepen their understanding of real-world science. Soft skills like communication and teamwork were just as vital as technical prowess, a lesson Dev carries into his startup journey into career paths, possibly through an MD-PhD program. Building AIVON and MedisenseShifting to the theme of innovation, Dev and Joshua introduce their startup AIVON, based in Atlanta. Their flagship product, MediSense, is an AI-powered diagnostic platform that allows users to input symptoms and receive real-time health assessments. The idea was born from the intersection of their scientific training and the urgent need for accessible, intelligent healthcare tools. They share how conversations with patients, doctors, and mentors shaped MediSense’s design and functionality, emphasizing the importance of user feedback in product development. Their goal is to make fast, affordable, and intelligent diagnostics available to everyone, especially in underserved areas. Despite challenges—from building the tech to managing startup logistics—they remain focused on scaling the product and seeking potential partnerships with hospitals and schools. Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/ And follow BioBuilder on social media: https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/ https://twitter.com/SystemsSally https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/16132078

    31 min

  5. 04/27/2025

    Nicole Mumbi: scientific curiosity meets life-changing opportunity

    What happens when scientific curiosity meets life-changing opportunity? Nicole Mumbi shares her remarkable journey and provides a powerful answer to this question. Moving from Nairobi, Kenya to Boston in 2019, Nicole faced the challenge of cultural transition while nurturing her budding interest in science. Though initially experiencing culture shock and language barriers, her determination never wavered. A simple middle school experiment on atmospheric pressure had already planted the seed of scientific fascination that would shape her future path. When Nicole's high school guidance counselor suggested applying to the BioBuilder Apprenticeship Program, she seized the opportunity despite her fears and busy academic schedule. At Ginkgo Bioworks' Learning Lab, Nicole and her team developed "Break the Stigma" – an innovative at-home HIV detection project that engineered bacterial cells with CD4 receptors to detect the virus in blood samples. This first-hand laboratory experience transformed her understanding of science from textbook concepts to real-world applications. The technical skills Nicole gained – from PCR to scientific presentation – became the foundation for her subsequent internship at the prestigious Ragon Institute. Now thriving as a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology student at UMass Amherst, she gives back by tutoring other students in chemistry while contemplating whether her future lies in research, medicine, or a combination of both. Throughout her story, Nicole emphasizes the importance of pushing past imposter syndrome to take chances. "I remember having this imposter syndrome person talking to me saying, 'I don't think you have enough qualifications,'" she shares. "But I was grateful for my mom's encouragement to partake in opportunities without feeling like an outsider." Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/ And follow BioBuilder on social media: https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/ https://twitter.com/SystemsSally https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/16132078

    27 min

  6. 02/26/2025

    Cultivating Curiosity: Greg Wu's Journey in Synthetic Biology

    Greg Wu shares his transformative journey from high school in China to becoming an aspiring pioneer in synthetic biology. His story highlights critical educational opportunities at BioBuilder that shaped his passion for science and his future ambitions. • Greg's initial interest in natural sciences during high school  • Discovering BioBuilder and its influence on his academic career  • Experience in synthetic biology and engineering bacteria for unique projects  • Transitioning to higher education in the US at Emory University  • The value of interdisciplinary studies and collaborations with Georgia Tech  • Future plans for a PhD in biomedical engineering and community engagement  Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/ And follow BioBuilder on social media: https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/ https://twitter.com/SystemsSally https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/16132078

    18 min

  7. 12/26/2024

    Transforming High School Science Education: an interview with Daniel Kemp

    Daniel Kemp shares his transformative journey in integrating synthetic biology into high school education. Listeners will gain insights into practical applications in the classroom, the establishment of the BioBuilderClub, and the significance of bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world skills. • Introduction to Daniel Kemp and his experience with synthetic biology • Overview of the BioBuilder Professional Development Workshop and its relevance to teaching • Importance of hands-on learning experiences in biology education • Insight into launching the BioBuilderClub at Hampden Hall • Current projects and the evolving role of students in science • The necessity of updating curricula to reflect modern scientific advancements • Advice for teachers interested in incorporating synthetic biology into their teaching Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/ And follow BioBuilder on social media: https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/ https://twitter.com/SystemsSally https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/16132078

    19 min

  8. 10/26/2024

    Finding Synthetic Biology: Nicolas Rojas Taborda​ Transformative Journey

    In this episode of Life-Changing Science, we sit down with Nicolas Rojas Taborda​, a senior at Revere High School. Nico's interests shifted dramatically thanks to his involvement in the BioBuilder Apprenticeship Challenge. Nico describes his discovery of synthetic biology and his team's project idea, the K Detective, an innovative at-home kit for cavity detection. This project not only sharpened his technical prowess with tools like PCR and gel electrophoresis but also positioned him to succeed in his Boston University STEM pathway internship building logic gates for CAR-T cells, and as a leader of his high school's iGEM team.  Nico shares his future aspirations in the realm of synthetic biology and education. Considering roles as a mentor or teacher with BioBuilder, he reflects on the fulfilling nature of educational roles. Moreover, he describes the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship application process, sharing tips on requesting a standout letter of recommendation and defining a clear career vision. This episode wraps up with his process investigating potential college majors and his dreams to someday launch a biotech company.   Nico emphasizes the foundational impact BioBuilder has had on his journey. This episode is not just an exploration of one student's evolution but a testament to the life-changing possibilities of early scientific engagement. Learn more about BioBuilder's programs for students, educators, and industry professionals here 👉 https://biobuilder.org/ And follow BioBuilder on social media: https://www.facebook.com/BioBuilderFoundation/ https://twitter.com/SystemsSally https://www.youtube.com/@BioBuilder https://www.instagram.com/systems_sally/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/16132078

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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Monthly episodes explore the impact of BioBuilder on the careers of our guests, from graphic designers to teachers, entrepreneurs, and students.

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