About
About ABE Greater Los Angeles
The Amgen Biotech Experience is an international education program funded by the Amgen Foundation. Additional funding and support are provided by New England BioLabs, the Orange County Biotechnology Education Partnership, LA/OC Biotech Center, the California Life Sciences/Biotech Initiative, the Foundation for Pierce College, Fullerton College, Pierce College, and California State University-Channel Islands.
Our Team
Curriculum & Resource Specialist
Dr. Jo Wu has been a biology professor at Fullerton College since 1990. She serves as the director of the OC Biotech Education Partnership and coordinator of science summer camps, and weekend research projects. Her team of talented instructional assistants ensure that fun, hands-on training occurs at multiple levels for junior high, senior high and college students. Science Summer Camps give opportunities for students to gain lab experience and earn community service hours.
Jo earned a BA in Biology from University of Missouri - Columbia and a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from University of California - Irvine.
Site Coordinator/Lab Technician II at Fullerton College
Gladys Rodriguez works with the ABE-Fullerton College distribution center. She is responsible for preparing all reagents and equipment for Orange County teachers.
Prior to working with ABE, Gladys worked with OC Biotech Education Partnership as an instructional assistant to the science summer camps where she taught lecture and hands-on activities to junior high, high school, and college students, After working in the summer science camp, she began to work for Fullerton College as a TA/biotechnology tutor and outreach planner and coordinator.
Currently, Gladys works as the lab technician for Fullerton College Natural Science Division in the biology department where she prepares reagents, conduct equipment maintenance, and writes lab protocols. She services about 15 teachers in the biology department.
Gladys earned a BS in Microbiology from California State University - Long Beach and has earned a Biotechnology Lab Assistant Certificate from the Biotech Program at FC.
Some of Gladys' favorite books include The Hot Zone and The Demon in the Freezer. In her free time, Gladys enjoys scrapbooking, making pottery, hiking, trying new coffee shops, playing with her fur baby, and traveling with her husband and family.
Assistant Laboratory Technician at Fullerton College
Kennedie Doyle works with the ABE-Fullerton College distribution center as an assistant laboratory technician. She manages the equipment and assists in the distribution of the laboratory kits.
Prior to working with ABE, Kennedie was a college tutor providing assistance to students enrolled in introductory biology courses. She prepared virtual or in-person tutoring sessions and enjoyed helping students understand the course material. Currently, she works for the Fullerton College Biotechnology Program managing their social media accounts and attending outreach events.
Kennedie recently attained a B.S. in Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology with a minor in Chemistry from Cal State Long Beach. Prior to transferring to CSULB, she earned a Laboratory Assistance Certificate from Fullerton College as well as received a BACE certification. She hopes to continue her education through the Biotech Program at FC.
Some of her favorite books are Fahrenheit 451 and Into Thin Air. Her hobbies include discovering new music, taking care of her houseplants, and hiking with friends and family.
Liaison at LA Mission College Distribution Center
Dr. Chander Arora is part of the biotech faculty at Los Angeles Mission College and joined the ABE LA team as the site coordinator in Summer 2021. Holding over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry as well as teaching at the community college in Los Angeles, she was instrumental in getting a biomanufacturing grant from Department of Labor to Los Angeles Valley College. She has contributed tremendously towards women’s health working with the World Health Organization, Geneva, on several international projects.
Extremely passionate about helping students, she is known for experience in developing and teaching biotechnology and biomanufacturing courses. An NSF ATE principal investigator, she has trained the trainers, the new hires as well as the incumbent workers in several pharmaceutical industries. She is also a subject matter expert for developing the state assessment exam for the Bioscience industry. Her lead role in the Bridge to Biotech program has benefited about 90% of her students to successfully find jobs in the related fields.
She believes "Dreams are not what you see during sleep. Dreams actually are, which don’t let you sleep."
Lab Technician at ABE LA, Los Angeles Mission College Distribution Center.
Mitsy Natareno earned her associate's degree in biotechnology and was part of the first cohort between LAMC and Cedars Sinai Biomanufacturing Center (CBC) Cell & Gene Therapy Certificate program in the summer of 2024. She is also a member of the inaugural cohort of LAMC's B.S. Biomanufacturing this fall, 2024. She identifies as a first-generation Latina STEM major. She seeks to create a network community among students to facilitate sharing knowledge and resources. Under the guidance of Dr. Chander Arora, she discovered her passion for biotechnology and her aspiration to positively impact people's lives. She serves as educators' primary contact and oversees lab kit distribution coordination.
She enjoys walking, reading, going to the movies, and meditating in her free time. Mitsy is also an avid music listener. One of her favorite movies is Shawshank Redemption, and her current favorite book is The Summer Queen by Joan D. Vinge.
ABE-LA Site Director/Coordinator at Pierce College Distribution Center
Karin Steinhauer received her bachelor's degree in Microbiology from CSULB. She established a career as a public health microbiologist for the city of Long Beach. She has experience in biology based quality control systems and veterinary medicine. In 2007, after working for Pierce College as the Anatomy & Physiology technician, Karin began working for what was then called the Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotech Program and has continued on as the Pierce Distribution center coordinator for the ABE program. Her experience and expertise allowed her to serve as "Master Lab Technician" for the global ABE program for many years.
Karin's favorite books are Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and The Madd Adam Series by Margaret Atwood. Her hobbies include insect collecting, natural habitat gardening, wildlife rehabilitation, and hiking. Karin is passionate about helping students question, understand, and connect to the natural world.
"Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated". - Rosalind Franklin
Lab Technician at ABE-LA Pierce College
Kevin Lemus is a student at Los Angeles Pierce College, majoring in Biology. His responsibilities include communicating with teachers, preparation of lab materials and aid in the distribution of equipment. Kevin's has hands-on biotechnology internship experience from ABE-LA partner programs.
Site Coordinator/Lab Technician at Pasadena Bio Collaborative Incubator
Samantha Leano received her bachelor’s in biotechnology and bioinformatics, with a minor in human rights at the University of California, Davis. For almost 3 years, Samantha has dedicated her life to research in both the pharmaceutical and agricultural industry. She has collaborated on numerous projects with a variety of departments like the UC Davis Plant Sciences and Agricultural department, UC Davis Medical Center in partner with the FDA, and Cedar Sinai Medical Center. Her most notable, and more recent, research is her own study in creating deep-learning simulations in understanding evolutionary selective sweeps in domesticated sunflowers (which is her favorite plant!). Samantha is a current member of the Botanical Society of America, which is an organization that hopes to inspire and promote knowledge and innovation in the botanical sciences for the benefit of students and the environment. Aside from her research, she has also volunteered in many grassroots organizations in support of climate change, gun control, and tailoring medicine for minority communities. She still finds time to donate blood and participate in disaster training through the Red Cross LA-chapter.
Samantha’s hobbies include volunteering, spending time with family and friends, and attending research conferences. Her favorite book series is MARCH by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin.
As the PBC site coordinator, she works in collaboration with teachers on creating an inclusive learning environment to help teachers and students acquire hands-on lab experience in biotechnology.
Site Coordinator/Lab Technician at LA Trade Technical College Distribution Center
Robert Nguyen received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. After college, he spent several years in Houston working as an environmental chemist and as a laboratory supervisor, overseeing the department that handled organics extractions and testing. Robert has over 23 years of experience in education. Before joining the ABE LA team, he worked as a math and science teacher at a private high school in the San Gabriel Valley. The subjects he taught included biology, AP biology, chemistry, physics, and all levels of math up to AP calculus. His greatest joy was seeing his students develop an interest in a subject they previously found difficult or intimidating. In addition to teaching, he also assisted with college counseling and appreciated the opportunity to help students apply to and get accepted into some of their dream schools. Although he is no longer working directly with students, he is excited to be working with fellow educators.
Robert’s hobbies include tennis, hiking, and oil painting. He is a member of the Pasadena Society of Artists and enjoys painting scenes of urban realism. His favorite book is The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Sr. Associate Director/Coordinator at CSU Channel Islands
Luz Hernandez is an ABE LA liaison who serves as the primary contact for teachers and is responsible for daily lab operations.
Prior to joining the ABE LA team, Hernandez worked as a biology lab technician at Caltech and has 5 years combined experience developing S.T.E.A.M education programs with an emphasis in environmental and wildlife biology in museum and zoo settings.
Hernandez received her bachelors of science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she majored in Environmental Biology with a zoology minor. Hernandez is a member of the Ecological Society of America, and organization of science professionals dedicated to advancing public awareness of the importance of ecological sciences.
Her favorite books include The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan, The Overstory by Richard Powers, and In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall. Her hobbies include nature-journaling, insect collecting, hiking, and rock climbing.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lab Technician at ABE-LA CSUCI
Sonya Sahar Khiz Langroody received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and multiple Associate degrees in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Natural Science. Currently, Sonya is diving into research as a Research Lab Assistant, her focus is on exploring innovative methods to enhance the pluripotency of P19.CL6 stem cells. She is a volunteer mentor at Oxnard College, passionate about supporting new students through their community college experience and the transfer process. Sonya believes that by fostering a supportive environment, she can help students navigate their challenges and succeed in achieving their educational goals. Sonya's hobbies include drawing, reading, and hiking with friends and family. Her favorite book (and movie) is Coraline.