Story written by The Application & HBCU 20×20

Washington, D.C., June 21, 2023 – HBCU 20×20, a national nonprofit that connects the HBCU and Black community to career resources, has partnered with Amgen to host the second cohort of the Amgen Operations Biotech Fellowship program.

Over the course of 12 weeks, the fellows will participate in professional development programming, be paired with professionals at Amgen for mentorship, complete a capstone project, and will have the opportunity to interview for internship and full-time opportunities upon completion of the program.

“As the biotech industry continues to grow, diversity should be at the forefront and we’re proud that HBCU 20×20 has partnered with Amgen for this highly selective program to make this possible,” said CEO Nicole Tinson.

Samantha Taylor, director of Human Resources, at Amgen, stated, “As a leading global biotechnology company deeply rooted in science, we believe that an environment of inclusion fosters innovation, which helps drive our ability to serve patients. We are honored to continue to support this fellowship to support the next generation of innovators and leaders as they embark upon their career.”

The HBCU BioTech Fellows are juniors, seniors and recent university graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and are passionate about the field of BioTech. The 15 fellows attend 9 HBCUs, majoring in subjects including Biology, Computer Science, Agribusiness and were selected out of more than 75 applicants. They are:

Destinie James, Electrical Engineering Major, Tuskegee University

Jacoby Wilkerson, Supply Chain Management Major, Howard University

Khadim Mbacke, Physics Major, Michigan State University

Lamont Harrison, Computer Information Systems, Bethune-Cookman University

Langston Locke, Chemical Engineering Major, Howard University

Lotus  Khanal, Mechanical Engineering Major, Howard University

Michaela Corley, Biology Major, Miles College

Nsikakabasi Ekong, Biology Major, Howard University

Onyinyechi Agbo, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major, Fisk University

Peter Musenge, Biology and Engineering Mathematics Major, Saint Augustine’s University

Rhonda Prince, Computer Information Systems Major, Grambling State University

Samaya Brooks, Agribusiness Major, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

Yaman Siwakoti, Mechanical Engineering Major, Howard University   

Yvette Foby, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major, Fisk University  

If you would like more information about HBCU 20×20, see our other events, or host an event, please visit www.theapplication.org or contact Nicole Tinson at nicole@hbcu20x20.org.

About HBCU 20X20

HBCU 20×20 is a national diversity and inclusion company whose mission is to prepare and connect HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) students and alumni to quality job and internship opportunities. We are intentional about creating relationships with companies and organizations who share our same commitment to diversity and inclusion.

We believe every student and graduate deserves the opportunity to move ahead in their careers. We are closing the gap to ensure they get there through our strategic partnerships with companies and organizations.

Since September 2017, HBCU 20×20 placed over 1,100 people into jobs and internships, developed partnerships with more than 150 Fortune 500 companies, startups, nonprofits, as well as federal agencies, and grown our database to over 23,000 HBCU students and alumni.

HBCU 20×20 has been featured in publications including Forbes, New York Times, Fast Company, The Root, Black Enterprise, Blavity, HBCU Buzz, Huff Post, and Campus Lately.