Opportunity Abounds for Bioprocessing Major

Student Profile: Caidin Biggers, Bioprocessing Major

By Alice Manning Touchette

The summer following his junior year as a bioprocessing major, Caidin Biggers walked in the early mornings through the streets of Barcelona, Spain. His destination: Biochemize SL, where he would spend two months researching medical compounds derived from industrial waste products in agricultural production.

“It was awesome. I learned about the circular economy aspect of their business,” explains Biggers. “It’s more sustainable and economically efficient to derive medical compounds from waste that is already produced.”

His internship exposed him to many aspects of the business: market research on chemical business firms, research on enzymatic recovery processes, contacting industrial suppliers to secure deals for optimal prices, and more.

“It was a small company, so I got to wear a lot of hats.”

Biggers’ study abroad experience is one of many opportunities he’s taken advantage of while earning his degree in the department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences.

“The biotech facility has industry equipment that can really give you a jump start into the bioprocessing industry. And the RTP area is highly competitive and is really looking for students graduating from North Carolina State. Our clubs in the department act like a pipeline recommending students for jobs and internships at biotech companies,” he says. “There are just a lot of opportunities and we’re all introduced to the professional world in the major and NC State has amazing facilities that teach us hands-on operations.”

While Biggers hasn’t quite decided what he’ll venture into after graduation, he knows he’s well-prepared for the field. He is also earning a minor in biotechnology and a minor in biology.

“What I do and where I go next really depends on what jobs are open in the field,” he says. “This has been an awesome experience because of the broad amount of things that I have been able to try and see within the industry. I hope that I’ll be able to develop technologies, able to produce new medicines and help heal people.”