Pilot Program: STEAM Students Engage From San Diego, CA to Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University students have partnered with a dynamic life science incubator based in San Diego, CA to create a pilot program called Diversity in Inclusion for Youth. The goal of this program, known as DiY, is to increase innovation opportunities for minorities, women and rural communities. The incubator partnering in the program is Bio, Tech and Beyond, or BTNB. 

Dany Kitishian, the founder of DiY, sits on the advisory board of LA Tech’s biomedical engineering department. Joseph Jackson, the cofounder of BTNB, is partnering with Kitishian to launch DiY. Kitishian believes the goal of this program is to connect young innovators to biotech startups across the country and to speed up the innovation cycle in underrepresented regions of the United States. “Every part of America that has helped grow Silicon Valley by being consumers of its products and services deserve a piece of the hopes and dreams afforded by the same high paying jobs that exist there.” Kitishian said. “There is no region of America that is smarter than another.”

Interns are currently exploring the business side of the biotech industry. They are learning marketing skills, business development and fundraising techniques. LaVaie Simpson, an intern who was instrumental in creating the program, said he appreciates the experience he is gaining. “Networking is an opportunity that is quite scarce for undergraduate Biomedical Engineering majors at Louisiana Tech. Managing and working with each of the interns we have in the program is quite fun and forewarning since I get to help cultivate business development skills with engineers,” Simpson said. 

With the help of the students, Kitishian and Jackson plan to expand DiY to other incubators and universities across the country.