Contact Us

Use the form on the right to contact us.

You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right. 

4041 N. Central Ave., Ste. 1100
Phoenix, AZ 85012

602-506-3866

The Maricopa County School Superintendent is statutorily responsible for providing services supporting school governing board elections, bond and override elections, appointments, school finance, and maintaining homeschool and private school records. The superintendent also oversees the Maricopa County accommodation district.

Bioscience

Exploring Pathways to Bioscience & Health Careers

 

Industry Spotlights

 
 

✏️Spotlight Guide: From Food Waste to Community Impact

✏️Food Waste Solution Project

Have you ever considered the impact of food waste in your home, school, or work? In this spotlight video, we meet JD Hill, founder of RCity. JD is working to solve the problem of food waste by offering solutions to homes, restaurants, and grocery stores by creating compost from the waste. He uses the compost and revenue to help small farmers get a start in the valley.

Student Career Awareness Poll
 

✏️ Spotlight Guide: Where do I fit in Bioscience & Healthcare?

✏️Student Handout

Join Dr. Joanna Yang Yowler, Program Manager of Translational Biosciences and Entrepreneurship at the Flinn Foundation as they share the details of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap. The roadmap highlights six key areas of innovation—from creating sustainable food and fuels to advancing hospitals, labs, devices, and medicines that improve lives every day.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Sterile Processing Technician

Riley Higgins, the lead sterile processing tech at Banner Ironwood, explains that his team cleans, packages, and sterilizes surgical instruments to keep patients safe and ensure surgeries can run smoothly; he highlights the importance of attention to detail, multitasking, and strong reading and writing skills, notes career paths like becoming a surgical tech or traveling in the field, and encourages students to stay curious, keep an open mind, and ask questions.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Invent to Improve - Problem Solving in Healthcare

✏️Medical Solution Project

In this industry spotlight, meet Andrew Heuerman, CEO of The Patient Company. Andrew is an expert who has solved a major healthcare challenge by creating a medical device that improves safety for both patients and staff!

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Surgical Tech Career Exploration

Nicole Catron, a surgical tech at Banner Ironwood, explains that her role involves maintaining sterility during surgery, working closely with surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia providers, and using flexibility and strong knowledge of anatomy daily; she shares her path through CNA training and encourages students interested in healthcare to explore hands-on opportunities like hospital camps to find their best fit.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Medical App Investigation

✏️Medical App Challenge

In this video, we learn about a solution to one of the biggest challenges facing hospitals - the nursing shortage. NurseIO addresses this challenge by using AI voice recognition to quickly connect healthcare facilities with nurses seeking part-time work, helping address the nation’s critical nursing shortage. Shane Brown, CEO, emphasizes the work that is essential skills for driving innovation and success in healthcare and technology.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Where do I fit in Bioscience & Healthcare?

✏️Student Handout

Kim Rogers, the 2025 Bioscience Educator of the Year, leads Mountain Ridge High School’s biomedical sciences program, where students explore diverse bioscience careers through hands-on, real-world problem-solving and critical thinking. Her innovative teaching and strong industry partnerships with organizations like TGen, Mayo Clinic, and Midwestern University help students build essential skills, gain career exposure, and prepare for success in college and the bioscience workforce.

Student career awareness poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: So You Want to be a Doctor?

✏️Career Cards

Dr. Roger McCoy, a sports medicine physician at Banner University, shares how his love of sports and science led him to care for athletes at all levels while emphasizing teamwork, lifelong learning, and strong listening and science skills to succeed in medicine.

www.bannerheath.com/careers

Student career awareness poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Teamwork & Communication

Meet Phaedra Bateman, X-ray Manager at Southwest Medical Imaging (SMIL), as she shares her journey and role in radiology.

https://www.esmil.com

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Career Cards

Join Crystal Fix, a Senior Athletic Trainer Specialist and Supervisor at Banner Sports Medicine in Phoenix, explains how athletic trainers prevent, assess, and treat sports injuries while supporting athletes through recovery! She highlights the importance of communication, trust, and science knowledge in helping athletes safely return to play. Crystal shares her path into the field, inspired by her own sports injuries, and outlines the required education to work in the industry.

www.bannerheath.com/careers

Student Career Awareness Poll

Meet Alyssa Vermilyea, R.S., an Environmental Health Supervisor at the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, who helps protect our environment by managing septic systems, landfills, and more.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Medical Assistant

Meet Billie Stockton, Senior Medical Assistant at Banner Health. Billie shares about opportunities as a Medical Assistant and what skills it is important to have for a MA career. She talks about why a Medical Assisting career is a great starting point for healthcare careers.

www.bannerheath.com/careers

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️ Spotlight Guide: Biomedical Technician

Meet Michelle Rodriguez, BioMedical Technician at Banner Health. She shares how this career blends being able to work with technology and people. Michelle talks about the importance of math, science and communication in problem solving.

www.bannerhealth.com/careers

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide - Goalsetting - The Power of Discipline

This video features Erika Enriquez, warehouse operations manager at Langham Logistics in Phoenix, Arizona. Langham Logistics is a woman-owned company that handles the transportation and storage of pharmaceuticals and lab supplies. Erika will talk about how teamwork and math play a big role in her job every day and give tips on what you can do now to set yourself up for success in the future.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️ Spotlight Guide: Career Mashup Activity

Meet Amber Snodgrass, Acute Multi-Modality Technologist at Banner Health. Amber shares how her career in radiology in a hospital allowed her to expand beyond x-ray as a multi-modality technologist. She talks about what pathway you would need to take to become a radiology technologist and the opportunity to observe different professions in a hospital if you want to learn more.  

www.bannerhealth.com/careers

Student Career Awareness Poll

How do science and technology create life-changing medical treatments? Meet Dr. Matt Becker, Ph.D., CTO of Immunoshield Therapeutics, a leader in cell therapies. In this video, he shares his journey in biomedical engineering, key skills for success, and advice for future STEM innovators. Get inspired to explore the world of biotechnology!

Student Career Awareness Poll

Meet Dr. Nilabh Kajave, Ph.D., Lead Scientist at Humabiologics. Discover how curiosity, collaboration, and a drive to make a real-world impact guide him every day.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Essential Leadership Skills

In this spotlight, we welcome Heather Murray, PTA, from the HUG Clinic at Gateway Community College. Heather shares the story of her journey as she leads the HUG Clinic and offers great advice for all students!

SaPHE Lab - Safe Patient Handling Education

Student Career Awareness Poll

Meet Liana Soto, a Quality and Manufacturing Engineer at Humabiologics. From human tissue research to adaptability in the workplace, Liana’s story is all about curiosity, perseverance, and purpose.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️ Spotlight Guide: Build your own mosquito trap!

Steve Young, Chief Laboratory Scientist at Arbo Scientific, helps agencies track vector-borne diseases. Passionate about problem-solving, he encourages students to explore hands-on lab experiences to pursue careers in disease research.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: The Case of the Missing Artifact

Do you like to solve mysteries? Maybe you have an analytical mind? Join us as we meet Katherine Nordell, MLS (ASCP), SM, Supervisor-Bacteriology at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Katie works with healthcare providers to identify dangerous pathogens to help doctors solve mysterious illnesses. She also reminds us that not all jobs in science require you to be an expert in the field!

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: BioDetective - Personalized Diagnostics in Action

Dr. Sherri Borman, Ph.D., is the lab director at Castle Biosciences. Castle Biosciences implements innovative diagnostic tools based on a person’s unique biology to assist physicians with the management and treatment of diseases. Dr. Borman will share her personal journey and offer advice for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the laboratory science field.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️ Spotlight Guide: What makes a great leader?

Thatcher Hoppe, Manufacturing Manager at Calviri is doing some incredible work in the fight against cancer, and he's here to share how he's helping to identify and prevent it. He will also talk about how his time in the Marine Corps helped him develop important career skills that he uses daily and offer advice if you’re interested in pursuing a career in cutting-edge of science.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Digital Marketing Manager

Rebecca Determan, MBA, helps share TGen’scutting-edge science with the world! As a digital marketing manager, she uses social media, emails, and storytelling to connect people with research in precision medicine. She stresses the importance of writing, math, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork—skills students use every day.

Teachers, check out TGen’s summer programs for high school students to explore careers in bioscience!

tgen.org/tbla

tgen.org/helios

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: So You Want to be a Doctor?

Do you love kids and want to work with children to develop healthy habits? In this Industry Spotlight, Pediatrician Dr. Kara Block, MD, will provide insight into what it is like to be a Doctor of Pediatrics and how her passion for treating and educating patients in rural communities brought her back home to the rural community of Yavapai, Arizona.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️ Spotlight Guide: Career Spotlight Exploration

✏️ Bioscience Team Challenge Part 1

✏️ Bioscience Team Challenge Part 2

Meet Dylan Peay, Ph.D., Manager of Entrepreneurial Programs and Grants at AZBio, as he introduces available bioscience careers throughout Arizona.  Bioscience spans multiple industry sectors and career pathways, such as: agricultural, bioscience-related distribution, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, research labs, and hospitals. The opportunities are endless!

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: The Recipe Relay Challenge

Meet Riley Grapentine, Laboratory Technician at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Riley shares his day to day work schedule and emphasizes the importance of communication and literacy in his field. He also reminds us to take care of ourselves, because we can only be at our best when we are healthy and happy!

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: The Power of Collaboration

Mya Davis is the Environmental Health Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Mya focuses on health education and community outreach across Arizona. She explains how she uses data and public health trends to solve problems and promote community well-being. Mya also talks about why good communication and teamwork are key to reaching as many people as possible, and how being adaptable, flexible, and resilient helps her succeed. Lastly, she shares advice for anyone interested in science but unsure about which career path to choose.

Student Career Awareness Poll

Join Tiffany Wimbish, R.N. from the HUG Clinic at Gateway Community College as she shares the story of her journey to emergency room nurse. Tiffany also shares some important considerations for anyone interested in finding a career in the healthcare field.

Student Career Awareness Poll

Did you know PA (Physician Assistant/Associate) has been repeatedly voted as one of the best positions and most needed healthcare professions? Not to mention, it takes less schooling than a medical doctor! In this Industry Spotlight, Samantha Johnston, PA-C, a Physician Assistant (PA) at the Community Health Center of Yavapai, will share about the versatility of a PA career and how she can provide both health care and education for her patients.

Student Career Awareness Poll

Are you interested in learning about the exciting innovations in medical technology?  In this Industry Spotlight, Nathan Brent, RN, MSN/Ed., the Senior Program Coordinator for the Center for Simulation and Innovation at U of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, will share how he combines his nursing career with technology to train students for medical careers! 

Student Career Awareness Poll

Join Administrative Director Jacinto Espinosa Jr. as he shares his career at Sonora Quest Laboratories. In this industry spotlight, Jacinto discusses the work his team does to identify infectious diseases and how he uses critical thinking, math, and science to complete his job. He will also share ways for you to get into the field of medical diagnostics.

Student Career Awareness Poll

Would you like a rewarding career that is in high demand and provides impact in your local community? In this Industry Spotlight, Amber Bahm, DNP, FNP, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Family Nurse Practitioner at the Community Health Center of Yavapai, will share how rewarding her career is in improving the healthcare of patients of all ages.

Student Career Awareness Poll

Significant advances in modern technology related to optical detection and imaging systems have helped medical professionals unveil novel means of diagnoses down to the cellular level! In this Industry Spotlight, Dr. Raj Chakraborty, General Manager for Laser Components Detector Group: Life Sciences/Medicine, will share how his career combines engineering and optical detection technology to develop diagnostic solutions for Biosciences!

Student Career Awareness Poll

Are you interested in creatively solving problems and working with teams to make a difference in the healthcare industry? In this Industry Spotlight, Ursula Fletcher, MHA, RN, CPHQ, CPPS, a Nursing Quality Specialist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, and Arizona Nurses Association Florence Nightingale Practice Award recipient, will share how she asks the “5 Why’s” to solve problems and work with colleagues to review trends in data leading to innovative solutions in her workplace!

Student Career Awareness Poll

Who doesn't love a nice slobbery kiss from your dog? The only gross part is dealing with the bad breath! In this Industry Spotlight, Dr. Eric Lyons, Chief Science Officer and co-founder of uPetsia, will share the wonderful world of Microbial biology. Learn how his entrepreneurial spirit led him on a quest to turn smelly dog breath into Happy Dog Breath! 

Student Career Awareness Poll

What is the perfect blend of a career that combines science, healthcare, direct patient contact, and technology? It is a pharmacist! In this Industry Spotlight, Pharmacist Dr. Nicole Henry, PharmD who leads CVS Pharmacies in the Southwest and is an Assistant Professor for R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, U of A, will share how she wanted a career that would make a difference in the healthcare industry by combining her interest in patient care and love of the sciences.

Student Career Awareness Poll

✏️Spotlight Guide: Speak Up!

In this spotlight, we’ll meet Gabrielle Wycoff, a Medical Laboratory Director and Scientist at Sonora Quest Laboratories. Gabrielle will give us an inside look at her job and the steps you can take to work in this industry. You’ll learn what a laboratory director does and how you can start preparing now for a career as a laboratory scientist. Gabrielle will also share how her school experiences helped her succeed in her job.

Student Career Awareness Poll

In this spotlight, you’ll learn about the important field of Neurology from Thamarai Wilkinson, B.E., R.EEG. T, Neurodiagnostic Tech II at the Mayo Clinic.

Check out the following resources for mor information about the exciting field of neurology!

ASET - The Neurodiagnostic Society

ABRET - Neurodiagnostic Credentialing and Accreditation

END Technology at Gateway CC

Mayo Neurodiagnostic Technologist Program

Student Career Awareness Poll

In this industry spotlight, we get to learn about the role of technical director at Sonora Quest Laboratories from Lindsay Ramos. Lindsay is responsible for writing the policies and procedures to help patients obtain a diagnosis. Lindsay also shares how she uses problem solving, communication, and science in her day-to-day work. She will also share her pathway into her career.

Student Career Awareness Poll

Do you want a career that provides hands-on work and makes a difference in patients' oral healthcare each day? In this Industry Spotlight, you'll smile from ear to ear as you hear from Brandi Skipper, RDH, a Registered Dental Hygienist from the rural Community Health Center of Yavapai. Brandi will share her passion for educating patients on oral hygiene and care, leading to overall health and well-being and the fun and exciting parts of her career. 

Student career awareness poll
 

Earn PD Credit by Integrating EPBC Resources in your Classroom!

Did you know that interacting with the spotlight videos can earn you credit towards your Professional Development goals? We’re excited to offer three different PD opportunities from the “Exploring Pathways to Bioscience and Healthcare” program.

  • Use Industry Spotlight Video(s) for Engagement/Discussion

  • Lead Team or “Solve-It” Challenges

  • Use Educator Pro Connect to interact with an Industry Professional

Learn more about each of these opportunities by clicking below:

Professional Development Opportunities

Download Exploring Pathways to Bioscience and Health Careers Flyer

Educator Pro Connect

Educator Pro Connect is an app that connects educators with industry professionals to enhance real-world classroom applications and bring awareness to college and career pathways.

Educator Pro Connect supports educators by:

  • Connecting coursework to real-world learning

  • Developing career identity with students

  • Enhancing their content knowledge

  • Providing partners for projects or events

Register For Educator Pro Connect

Career Exploration Resources

Center for the Future of Arizona
DoD STEM Video Library
Pipeline AZ
eCTE Career Exploration
The State of Career Exploration in Middle School
Meet DoD STEM
Occupational Outlook Handbook
US Dept. of Labor, Employment and Training: Career One Stop
DoD STEM Careers Tool