MATC Putting its BEST Foot Forward

October 2010 Dr. Aparna Sen is the principal investigator of a National Science Foundation grant MATC received for its Biochemical Excellence in Science and Technology (BEST) program.

In July 2010, Milwaukee Area Technical College received a $526,937 three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to increase the number of students transitioning to baccalaureate degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields through its Biochemical Excellence in Science and Technology (BEST) program. Pending satisfactory results in the first three years of the project, MATC could receive an additional $418,205 in 2013 and 2104, bringing the five-year grant total to $945,142. Below is a Q & A with MATC natural science instructor Dr. Aparna Sen, the principal investigator of the project. Why is it so prestigious to receive a grant from the National Science Foundation? The National Science Foundation is an independent federal organization involved in supporting and funding innovative research and education focused toward the progress of science. Through the BEST program, MATC will be able to provide unique educational opportunities for undergraduate students interested in the STEM areas. How can students join the BEST program? Students with an aptitude in science and research, especially in the areas of biotechnology, chemistry, biology and biochemistry, are ideal for the program. The student selection process includes: completing an application, a student essay on  areas of interest, and an interview with internal and external advisory committee members.

Dr. Sen is shown with students in MATC's biotechnology program.

Does a student have to join the BEST program to pursue a bachelor's degree? Not necessarily. The BEST program will give them the opportunity to explore their areas of interest through paid summer internships. Also, they will be able to network and gain an in-depth knowledge from area companies and faculty, staff and students from local universities. Why would an associate degree and a bachelor's degree be important to a student? Obtaining an associate degree has many advantages; however it is not necessarily enough for many STEM careers. A bachelor's degree in a specific STEM area of interest needs to be the goal. The BEST program is designed for students to transition with an associate degree to a bachelor's degree. The focus of this program is to help students transfer to four-year colleges to earn a bachelor's degree. How does being a part of the BEST program benefit a student? They get hands-on experience through paid internship opportunities at area businesses and university laboratories. They also will explore cutting edge technologies through workshops held at MATC. The students will meet with business leaders and researchers and build networking contacts. They will have the opportunity to attend conferences, and present their research work. What career paths can students pursue? After graduating, students can seek laboratory-based positions such as research analyst, research technologist, lab manager, research and development technologist, biotech sales representatives. In addition to these career fields, students can seek master's and doctorate degrees. With the emphasis on STEM programming, why aren't more students pursuing associate and/or bachelor's degrees in these fields? Educational institutions need to make STEM areas more attractive. There needs to be more grants available for students to pursue these fields. Summer internships and workshops for students are ways to attract students as well. Publicizing the rewards of these fields also needs to be done. Introducing cutting-edge areas like biotechnology, biochemistry, chemical technology, environmental science, bioremediation, forensic science, just to name a few, in high schools and colleges are important as well.

Dr. Zack Shana (shown in blue lab coat), a co-principal investigator on MATC's BEST grant, talks with chemical technician students.

MATC's BEST Program Lead Faculty Dr. Aparna Sen is a Biotechnology faculty member and the lead instructor in the college's Biotechnology certificate program. She holds an undergraduate degree from Lady Brabourne College (India), graduate degree from Calcutta University and a Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology from Bowling Green State University. Dr. Sen joined the MATC faculty in 2003. Before MATC, she was a research fellow at UW - Madison. Dr. Sen is MATC's Principal Investigator of the BEST program NSF Grant. Dr. Zack Shana is the Instructional Chair of MATC's Natural Science department and is the lead instructor of the college's Chemical Technician associate degree program. He holds an undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, a graduate degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Marquette University. Dr. Shana joined the MATC faculty in 1991. He is MATC's Co-Principal Investigator of the BEST program NSF grant. For more information about MATC's BEST program, contact Dr. Sen at sena1@matc.edu or 414-297-6594.