BioSpark Program Marks Successful First Year Expanding Biotech Access for Texas Students

San Antonio, Texas is taking a significant step toward building its future biotechnology workforce, thanks to the successful pilot year of BioSpark, a hands-on biotechnology education program based at Alamo BioCenter.

Launched to expand early and equitable access to biotechnology training, BioSpark completed its inaugural year by introducing middle and high school students across the region to real laboratory environments, professional research practices, and industry-aligned skills rarely available at the K–12 level.

During its first year, the program delivered immersive biotech bootcamps, workshops, and community open houses, placing students directly into functioning laboratory spaces. Participants completed a total of around 160 hours of hands-on training covering lab safety, equipment handling, microbiology, molecular biology, and advanced laboratory techniques. The curriculum was designed to mirror real bioscience workflows, giving students early exposure to the expectations of professional research and industry settings.

To further align learning outcomes with workforce standards, BioSpark supported students through more than 30 Biosciences Core Skills Institute (BCSI) certification exams. These industry-recognized micro-credentials allowed students to gain formal validation of their skills while becoming familiar with professional laboratory benchmarks well before entering college.

Beyond technical instruction, BioSpark emphasized mentorship and applied research. Students worked closely with scientists and mentors on custom-designed research and innovation projects, many of which were developed for science competitions, research posters, and potential publication. The approach helped strengthen not only laboratory proficiency, but also scientific communication, critical thinking, and research readiness.

“San Antonio students are ready for biotech, what they often lack is access to lab space,” said Dr. Niti Vanee, Founder and Chair of BioSpark. “This pilot year demonstrated what’s possible when education, research institutions, and industry come together to create real pathways. As we move into the new year, we’re ready to scale programs, launch new cohorts, and deepen collaborations that open doors for many more students.”

For families, the program’s impact extended well beyond the classroom. Parents reported noticeable growth in their children’s confidence, independence, and academic ambition.

“My son attended the BioSpark summer camp and worked closely with a BioSpark mentor to design his own research project,” shared one parent. “What started as curiosity turned into real scientific work. He is now preparing to submit his first publication to a high school research journal—something we never imagined possible at this age. BioSpark gave him both the skills and the belief that he belongs in science.”

During the pilot year, BioSpark served students from more than 10 schools across San Antonio and surrounding communities. Participants came from schools such as Health Careers High School, John Jay High School, Claudia Taylor Johnson High School, Reagan High School, Young Women’s Leadership Academy San Antonio, Young Men’s Leadership Academy San Antonio, TMI Episcopal, Keystone School, BASIS Shavano San Antonio Campus, South San High School, and Cole High School.

The program was supported through collaboration with instructors and mentors from UTSA, UT Health San Antonio, and the Texas Biomed Research Institute, along with industry and innovation partners including Alamo BioCenter, iGenomeDx, VentureLab, Avantor, and Nucleate.

Guest speakers from BioMedSA, Texas A&M University–San Antonio, Texas Biomed Research Institute, and the VA Health Systems also participated, helping students connect their laboratory experiences to real-world career paths and San Antonio’s growing bioscience ecosystem.

“Technical skills are essential, but they are only part of what makes students successful in the biosciences,” said Heather Hanson, President of BioMedSA. “What impressed me about BioSpark is its commitment to developing the student as a whole. Pairing hands-on scientific training with exposure to networking, communication, and professional skills. These are the capabilities that help young people not only enter the biotech workforce, but thrive in it.”

Industry partners echoed the program’s long-term value for the region.

“I believe BioSpark is doing a tremendous service for our community,” said Agustin Valdes of Avantor. “STEM had a profound influence on my own son’s life—he just graduated from MIT. Early exposure and programs like this truly change trajectories.”

With strong student engagement, measurable outcomes, and growing regional support, BioSpark is now preparing to expand in the coming year. Plans include increasing the number of student cohorts, launching additional workshops and bootcamps, and forming new academic and industry partnerships. The broader goal is to strengthen San Antonio’s K–16 biotechnology ecosystem, build local talent pipelines, and expand equitable access to bioscience careers.

“This pilot year validated both the need and the model,” Dr. Vanee said. “BioSpark is ready to serve as a cornerstone for biotechnology education and workforce development in our region.”