Part 1: Hands-On Training in Small Volume Metrology, pre-certification course

Do you know how to use a micropipette and a serological pipette? These are essential tools for accurately measuring and transferring small volumes, an important skill in any laboratory setting. Whether you’re new to the lab or looking to refresh your technique, join this hands-on training workshop led by Biotechnology instructors from Virginia Western Community College. Following the training on Day 2 of the Emerging Tech Conference, participants will have the opportunity to test and validate their skills with the Small Volume Metrology microcredential from Bioscience Core Skills Institute (BCSI) (https://bcsi.bio/).

Dr. Kristylea Ojeda is a dedicated educator and curriculum developer with over 15 years of experience teaching a wide range of biology lecture and laboratory courses. Her recent work has centered on biotechnology education, particularly in shaping the relatively new Associate of Science (AS) in Biotechnology degree at Virginia Western Community College (VWCC), which launched in August 2023. She also contributes to VWCC’s Biotechnology Career Studies Certificate (CSC) program. Dr. Ojeda has played a key role in aligning the biotechnology curriculum with industry standards by integrating credentialing opportunities for students. She is a certified Skills Evaluator for the Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam (BACE) and a certified Evaluator for Bioscience Core Skills Institute (BCSI) microcredentials. These credentials enable students to validate their hands-on laboratory competencies and enhance their employability in the life sciences sector. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, both from Marquette University, and continues to champion academic excellence and workforce readiness in biotechnology education.