The BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTC Institute) is collaborating with Promega to provide D.O.O.R.S. Scholarships to 10 students from underrepresented backgrounds. The scholarship has been awarded annually since 2020.

Each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship. But what else can you expect from a D.O.O.R.S. Scholarship?

In April 2024, eight D.O.O.R.S. Scholars visited Promega Madison for D.O.O.R.S. Scholars Day. At the end of the day, they shared their thoughts on the benefits they gained from the program.

Mentorship

Each D.O.O.R.S. Scholar is assigned a Promega scientist as a mentor. Throughout the school year, they participate in individual and group mentorship sessions that include constructive feedback on their research and professional development.      

My mentor, Sid Withers, was super influential to me. He walked me through differences in what it means to get a PhD or a Masters. We talked about different stigma and mental health issues surrounding science and academia. And overall, I really appreciated his insight into careers in the biotech industry.

Julia Forsey, McGill University

The biggest benefit for me was to get some guidance on graduate school and futher opportunities in science. My mentor, Bats Mutamba, was a big part of that.

Jasmine Freeman, Spelman College

Often what these exceptional budding scientists need is just awareness of what opportunities might be out there. I truly enjoy having career conversations with students. You don’t have to have a strong sense of where you’re going in 20 years, and that’s fine. I don’t either. Instead, we talk about how to take advantage of the opportunities that are happening for you right now.

Tom Kirkland, Sr Scientific Investigator, Promega Corporation

Visit to Promega Madison

D.O.O.R.S. Scholars are invited to the Promega campus in Madison, Wisconsin to meet with industry leaders and scientists, tour Kornberg Center and participate in hands-on lab activities.

The lab activity was definitely one of the highlights so far. Working with the scientific training team and seeing that green fluorescence in the dark room with my group was a lot of fun. It’s always fun to put on a lab coat.

Jasmine Freeman

The building is precious. It’s awe-inspiring. But my favorite moment would be listening to how Bill Linton started the company just by finding a need. Having that mentality makes you such an important component of the scientific community, and that’s something I’m excited to build into my character.

Lucas Lisondo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez

Research Presentation to Promega Scientists

While visiting Promega Madison, D.O.O.R.S. Scholars are invited to deliver a research presentation to an audience of Promega scientists and leaders.

It’s very exciting! To have a room of people that are actually listening to what I’m saying about my work, engaged with my results, was really stimulating overall.

Lucas Lisondo

It’s always fun being able to present something I’m passionate about and also get more experience presenting scientific research.

Jasmine Freeman

Career Insights

Year after year, D.O.O.R.S. Scholars report the experience as having a significant impact on their future career planning.

My main reflection is that my journey through science doesn’t have to be a linear path. I can take some time to figure out what exactly I want to do and still have an impact in the field while learning more about myself as a scientist, but also as a person and how my passions can be represented in the work I do.

Jasmine Freeman

The in-person aspect is incredible. With most scholarships, you sign something online, they send you money, and it’s great. But coming to Madison, meeting everyone at Promega, really helped me figure out whether a science career is something I’m truly interested in pursuing in the future.

Julia Forsey

Applications for the 2024 D.O.O.R.S. Scholarship are open now until September 30, 2024. Learn more about the scholarship and find the application here.

Read about the 2023 D.O.O.R.S. Scholars day here.

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Jordan Villanueva

Jordan Villanueva studied writing and biology at Northwestern University before joining Promega in 2017. As a science writer, he's most interested in the human side of science - the stories and people behind the journal articles. Research interests include immunology and neuroscience, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. When he isn't working, Jordan loves turning sourdough baking into a science. It's just a symbiotic culture of yeast and lactic acid bacteria, right?

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