In a significant stride toward enhancing the biotechnology landscape of South Dakota, a unique collaborative internship is now burgeoning, providing students with unparalleled opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world experience. Joel Tetty, originally from Ghana, is spearheading this initiative as the first intern. He embarked on this academic journey from the University of Iowa and later transferred to South Dakota Mines, where he dove deep into the realms of biomedical engineering.
“I like the program here, and I’m used to smaller schools where you can have one-on-one relationships and a good rapport with the professors,” Tetty shared. “I love to build my relationships with professors, and the biomedical engineering program here is wonderful.”
The bespoke internship is an innovative collaboration between CNAM-Bio, a bioprocessing facility in Rapid City, and Dakota BioWorx, a cutting-edge biotechnology hub in Brookings. This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale research and large-scale industrial manufacturing, fostering a seamless transition for student interns like Tetty.
Joel Tetty
The program is helmed by Dr. Ankan Sin, a senior research scientist at the Composite and Polymer Engineering (CAPE) Lab at South Dakota Mines. “It’s been wonderful,” Tetty remarked, appreciating Sin’s mentorship and support. “I hope to continue giving my best when I move to Dakota BioWorx.”
South Dakota has long been a hub for innovative solutions and scientific advancements, with its biotech landscape significantly supported by organizations like South Dakota Biotech. The state’s commitment to sustainable advancements is exemplified by projects like the cornstover-derived polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production, aimed at creating biodegradable plastics from agricultural waste.
Dr. Neal Connors, the chief scientific officer at Dakota BioWorx, emphasized the importance of such initiatives. “By providing hands-on experience and bridging the gap between lab research and industrial biomanufacturing, we’re preparing students like Joel to lead in the growing biotech sector, both in South Dakota and beyond.”
The CNAM Bio facility specializes in providing lab space for pilot-level scale-up solutions, whereas Dakota BioWorx is dedicated to contract development and pilot-scale manufacturing. Together, these facilities equip students with skills crucial for success in the ever-evolving biotech industry, ensuring South Dakota’s role as a leader in sustainable innovation.
Dr. Ankan Sin
Joni Ekstrum, executive director of South Dakota Biotech, voiced her excitement about the program, stating that such collaborative efforts are crucial for attracting exceptional talent and advancing the biotech industry within South Dakota. “This is the sort of innovative thinking and collaboration it takes not just to advance our industry in South Dakota but to attract exceptional talent,” Ekstrum remarked.
For Tetty, the internship offers more than just industry exposure. It equips him with the knowledge and experience necessary to bring about change back home. “I have a lot of plans,” he said. “But first, my main goal is to build a biomedical engineering company in Africa to give back to my community.”
As the program continues to unfold, it promises to serve as a pivotal model in South Dakota’s educational landscape, inspiring future biotech professionals and reinforcing the state’s position at the forefront of sustainable innovation.