CTEC
Biotechnology and Medical Science
Students in the CTEC Biotechnology & Medical Science program will operate multiple high-tech laboratories to apply biochemistry, molecular biology, nutrition, and anatomy principles needed to address the growing biotechnology industry.
What is Biotechnology and Medical Science?
Students in the CTEC Biotechnology and Medical Science Program operate a hands-on lab environment with emerging technology and state-of-the-art equipment as they learn about genetics, cell biology, medical innovations, and various uses of biotechnology to improve the health of humans and our planet.
The CTEC Biotechnology and Medical Science Program provides students with the opportunity to earn certifications, college credits, robust scholarships, and biotech lab employment. Our powerful partnerships with local industry professionals in various medical fields, biotechnology companies, and high-tech environmental or agricultural businesses combined with our college and university partnerships create multiple pathways to success for all students who complete this program.
Why
We want our students to graduate prepared for employment in biotechnology jobs that create and improve products and processes for medical science or environmental conservation. They can immediately access this rewarding career upon completion of the program or use the skills they have acquired as they pursue higher education with one of our college or university partners. The valuable certifications they earn, along with the college credits and scholarship dollars available to them, will launch graduates of CTEC’s Biotechnology & Medical Science program into the exciting and ever-changing field of Biotechnology.
The recent pandemic has helped to highlight the biotech industry’s impact on global healthcare technology and research; demand for researchers and experts has never been higher. Biotechnology careers offer competitive compensation, flexible career paths, and the chance to make a meaningful impact . By applying their research and lab skills, student technicians graduate prepared to become an important part of this rapidly expanding and rewarding field.
Skills and Certifications
- First Aid/CPR
- BCSI Bioscience Core Skills Institute microcredentials
- Basic Skills: Small Volume Metrology, Aseptic Technique (lab bench level), Numeracy, Documentation and SOP, Safety - Hazard Assessment
- Advance Skills: Instrumentation - PH, Light Microscopy, Lab Safety - Clean up, Preparation of Solutions, Quantitative Skills I, Lab Safety, Centrifugation, Verification of Balance, Pipetting, and Documentation Practices.
How
To ensure that students have access to the best resources, we have equipped our laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. This will allow students to conduct experiments, analyze data, and gain practical experience in a real-world laboratory setting. Graduates of the Biotechnology & Medical Science program emerge prepared to perform Gel Electrophoresis, Western Blot, Molecular Cloning, Flow Cytometry, Mass Spectrometry, Polymerase Chain Reaction, and Enzyme-linked Immunoassay. Whether they hope to pursue careers in medicine, environmental or agricultural applications, or forensics, students in the Biotechnology & Medical Science program benefit from contextualized science and English aligned to the projects and skills they develop. Students receive coaching and resources to explore career options they may want to pursue directly out of the program or with continued education. With a foundation of industry-standard skills, relevant and integrated science and English training, and the ability to interact with technical equipment, our students are ready to pursue their aspirations and goals.
- Operate multiple high-tech laboratories to apply biochemistry, molecular biology, nutrition and anatomy principles needed to address the growing biotechnology industry.
- Implement and understand biotechnology practices with medical, forensic or agricultural applications.
- Work with business and industry experts in biotechnology, bioscience, medical science and clinical laboratories.
- Opportunities to earn college credits in communications, biology and medical sciences, certifications in food handling and Biotechnology.
Biotechnology and Medical Science Staff
Instructors
Joey Corcoran
Joey Corcoran earned his BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon. Joey was an Outdoor Education Leader for 1 year at Mt. Pisgah Arboretum, and he has been at CTEC since 2019. He was a Sustainability Planner for 2 years for the City of Beaverton and a Vertical Farmer for 1 year at Forward Greens. Joey’s favorite thing about CTEC is “being able to work with and learn from my amazing co-workers while teaching a subject that I am passionate about.” In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, watching & playing sports, hiking, camping & backpacking, photography & anything that gets him outside.
Luis Valenzuela Estrada
Luis Valenzuela Estrada earned a B.S in Ecology, Ph.D. in Horticulture, and M.A. in Teaching. Luis spent 2 years teaching middle school science in a dual language program (6th, 7th, 8th) and three years as a teaching assistant for graduate level classes at Penn State University. He has been an instructor at CTEC since 2019. Luis worked for 9 years as a research associate scientist in OSU’s Horticulture Department and for 3 years as a research assistant during graduate school at Penn State University. His favorite things about CTEC are his team, his students and the curriculum. When Luis is not teaching, he enjoys swimming, traveling and trying new places to eat.
Amy Divelbiss, English and Science
Amy Divelbiss brings a deep passion for science, education, and community to her role at CTEC. She holds both a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Willamette University. Since beginning her teaching career in 1994, Amy has taught a wide range of subjects, including middle school science in Colorado (1994–1998), and Biology, Wellness, AVID, and CTE/Health at North Salem High School (2004–2018). From 2018 to 2023, she served as a District New Teacher Mentor, supporting and guiding new educators.
Amy’s favorite part of working at CTEC is the strong sense of collaboration and community. She considers herself lucky to work alongside the incredible BioMed instructors and students who inspire her every day.
Outside of the classroom, Amy loves being outdoors—whether it’s on the water or in the forest—with her family. She’s also an avid reader and a dedicated coffee enthusiast (the more coffee, the better!).