Mar 02, 2026 CSUCI Students Gain Hands-On Industry Experience Through New Biotechnology Internship Pilot

Three Undergraduates Selected for Immersive Summer Research Experience

March 2, 2026 - Three CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) undergraduates were selected to participate in a new biotechnology internship pilot developed in collaboration with Amgen, providing hands-on research experience at the company's Thousand Oaks headquarters.

Part of the Amgen-CSURF (California State University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships) initiative, the program is designed to increase access to industry training for students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. The students are paired with scientists and gain exposure to real-world applications in laboratory science and drug discovery over two summers. The program kicked off at the Thousand Oaks headquarters in summer 2025 and will return in the summer of 2026.

Students selected for the inaugural cohort are Christell Martinez (Biology), Annika Callo (Biochemistry), and Alexander Cecena (Chemistry and Biology).

"On campus, my work was more independent and exploratory, with flexible timelines," said Alexender Cecena "At Amgen, the environment emphasizes teamwork, strict protocols, and alignment with company goals. It's fast-paced and purpose-driven, which has taught me to balance scientific problems with practical outcomes."

After he graduates, Cecena plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Pharmacology or another area of biomedicine with a focus on research and development.

"For our students, this partnership matters because it gives them a hands-on, mentored experience that directly prepares them for careers in biotech. The experience helps students understand how their training translates into real-world research and industry environments.," said Hugo Tapia, Associate Professor of Biology at CSUCI and Amgen-CSURF program director.

"Science thrives on varied perspectives," said Ryan Potts, Vice President of Research at Amgen. "We recognize the importance of preparing the next generation of scientists for biotech and are committed to supporting their development through experiential training."