Biomanufacturing

Award

Degree Type

Bachelor in Science
Cash

Average Salary

$88,950
Gear

Skills

Career Opportunities
Understanding Equipment

Solano Biotech Educators

Meet the Solano Community College Biotech Faculty

 Gulnur Sanden

Biomanufacturing Director

“Dr. Sanden was born in Izmit, Turkiye and received her undergraduate degree in physics at Kocaeli University in 2003. She also earned two Master’s degrees in Nuclear Physics, one from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the other from Kocaeli University in Turkey. During her graduate study in Turkey, she was involved in a multi-national research project conducted in Nuclear Structure Lab of University of Notre Dame where she decided to continue her academic career in the United States. She earned her Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering from University of South Florida in 2014. She started at Solano College in May 2017, teaching upper division courses in the BS program in biomanufacturing as well as serving as the Director of the Biomanufacturing program. Before starting at SCC, she worked in medical device industry where she served as Project Engineer and managed numerous design and manufacturing projects for Oscor Incorporated, a cardiac device design and manufacturing company. She danced latin dances semi-professionally in her mother land for 8 years and received the 5th place in National Latin Dance Championship competition in Istanbul in 2006. She enjoys spending time and learning together with her students.”

Jim DeKloe

Professor of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology

Jim DeKloe, Professor of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, serves as the director and founder of the Industrial Biotechnology program at Solano College. In the past, he served as the regional director of the Southwest Region of Bio-Link, the nationwide consortium of community and technical colleges that teach biotech. On sabbatical he worked in the manufacturing department of biotech pioneer Genentech Inc. He also served as a consultant to help biotech giant Amgen redesign the training programs for their biomanufacturing technicians and for their quality assurance associates. He currently serves on the advisory committee for the Explorer Education Division of BioRad, and on the advisory committees of multiple college and high school biotechnology programs. In 2000, the Association of Community College Trustees chose Jim as the Distinguished Faculty Member of the Pacific Region which includes the Western United States and Canada, Hawaii Alaska and Guam. In 2011 Solano College faculty chose Jim as the Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year. In 2015, he became a finalist for the Award of Excellence for Faculty Innovation by the American Association of Community Colleges.

Ed Re

Professor of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology

Ed Re, Professor of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, has taught biotechnology at Solano College since 2004. Dr. Re earned his PhD and B.S from the University of California, Davis. Before joining the faculty of Solano College, he worked as a scientist at Novozyme and developed industrial enzymes that are important in the production of biofuels. In 2015, he became a finalist for the Award of Excellence for Faculty Innovation by the American Association of Community Colleges.

Mike Silva

Professor of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology

Mike Silva, Professor of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, is one of Solano’s own. After completing an AS from Solano College in 2008, Mike completed his undergraduate education at UC Santa Barbara and completed a Masters degree in Biotechnology from CSU Channel Islands. He conducted research at the City of Hope in Duarte, CA, and currently works in biomanufacturing at the Genentech Vacaville facility.

Jennifer Low

Laboratory Technician

Jennifer Low, the laboratory technician in charge of the biotechnology laboratory on the Solano College main campus, has served as the lab director for a decade. Jennifer earned a Bachelors degree in food science from UC Davis. In 2015 she received the Classified Employee of the Year award at Solano College.

Ruhpreet Bains

Laboratory Technician

Place Holder – the laboratory technician in charge of the biotechnology laboratory on the Solano College main campus, has served as the lab director for a decade. Jennifer earned a Bachelors degree in food science from UC Davis. In 2015 she received the Classified Employee of the Year award at Solano College.

Meet Our Biomanufacturing Faculty

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the program, please do not hesitate and reach out, we are here to help you!

Administration
Name
Title
Email
Phone Number
Gulnur Sanden
Director, Biomanufacturing Program
(707) 864-7000 Ext. 5657
James DeKloe
Founder, Biotechnology Program
(707) 864-7000 Ext. 4351
Flor de Maria Cruz
Supervisor, Vacaville Center
(707) 864-7155
Student Services Office - Vacaville Center
(707) 863-7836

Contact Us Today!