Kevin-Ray Charlot, Production Associate I at Organogenesis

What were you doing before joining the Bioversity program?

Before Bioveristy, I was in the automotive industry as a Sales and Leasing Consultant.

What motivated you to join Bioversity?

I was motivated to join Bioversity because of the growing presence of the Biotech industry in Massachusetts and learning how committed the program was to helping those with no background emerge in the industry. 

What was your experience like during the program?

My experience was amazing. From hands-on activities in a lab setting, to meaningful lectures, to network opportunities, I felt as though I received all of the tools necessary to start a career in biotech. 

How did Bioversity help you build the skills or confidence needed for your current role?

Bioversity helped me by giving me hands-on experience in a lab setting, using real-world scenarios that I would encounter in future employment, to be able to get my foot in the door and eventually succeed in biomanufacturing. 

What aspects of the program had the biggest impact on you (training, instructors, community, hands-on learning, career support, etc.)?

The biggest impact for me was the training (drilling on pipette usage, and volume measurements), hands-on learning, and the community, especially the instructors being so caring and wanting my success as much as I wanted it. 

 
Was there a specific moment in the program that helped you realize you were on the right path?

The specific moment that helped me realize that I was on the right path was definitely our trip to Moderna. It was on that trip that I realized that this is really what I want for myself, to be working in a life sciences-based environment, contributing to something bigger than myself. 

What are you doing now in your career?  Current employer and role 

I am currently a Production Associate I with a company called Organogenesis, where I am involved in the process of making our product, Apligraf. 

What excites you most about the work you’re doing?

What excites me the most about the work I am doing is that there is always an opportunity to learn something new in this field, and knowing the good our product is doing for patients daily, truly highlights the effects of what we do in the lab daily. 

How has your life changed since completing the program?

My life has changed mentally in the sense that I have a new trajectory for my career path. I plan on going back to school and getting my Master’s Degree in molecular biology and eventually my Phd and hopefully transition my way into the Research or Quality departments.  

What advice would you give to someone considering joining Bioversity?

The advice I would give to someone joining Bioversity is to join with a fresh mind and to try to find motivation in everything that Bioversity has to offer. I would also say to really take advantage of the tools that Bioversity offers because if you stay on this career path, there will absolutely come a time when you will capitalize on those same tools. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey or the role Bioversity has played in it?

Bioversity was a great journey for me. In just six weeks, I gained lifetime friendships and connections, I gained so much knowledge about a field prior to joining, I knew nothing about, and I gained a new mindset and life trajectory. Bioversity played a huge part in where I am today and I will always be grateful for the program.