On October 4, 2025, thirteen Skyline College students participated in the Chinese Bioscience Association’s (CBA) 27th Annual Conference in Foster City, CA. This year’s theme, “Charting New Territories: Advancing ADCs and Next Generation Neurodegenerative Therapies,” brought together leading scientists, industry experts, and students to discuss the future of biotechnology and its impact on healthcare.
The Skyline College Biotech Program was proud to host a booth at the conference, where faculty and students highlighted the program’s unique role in the Bay Area’s biotech education ecosystem. Skyline serves as a manufacturing site for local high school biotech classes by producing essential laboratory supplies such as petri plates with growth media, bacterial transformation solutions, and DNA extraction buffer. Through this work, students gain valuable, hands-on experience with standard operating procedures (SOPs), batch records, quality control, and work-based learning in a professional lab setting.
Skyline College’s presence was led by Dr. Jing Folsom and Dr. Nick Kapp, who joined the students in representing the program. The group included students from Biology, Chemistry, and Biotechnology, all eager to expand their understanding of biotech careers and research directions.
The conference provided a tremendous networking opportunity, with students engaging directly with biotech professionals from many companies across the nation and Asia. In addition to learning about cutting-edge advances in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, students practiced professional introductions, asked thoughtful questions, and explored pathways to careers in biotech and the life sciences.
Participation in the CBA conference underscores Skyline College’s commitment to preparing students for the biotech workforce by combining academic training with real-world experience. By engaging in industry events, students not only strengthen their technical knowledge but also build the professional networks essential for success in the rapidly evolving biotech sector.
We extend our gratitude to the Strategic Partnership Workforce Development Division for making our participation possible.
If you’re interested in participating in activities like this, please join us at Biomanufacturing Student Club by contacting club president, Fabiola Moreno (morenof1@my.smccd.edu)
Article by Dr. Jing Folsom & Fabiola Moreno
Photo by Dr. Jing Folsom
