For sisters Caitlyn and Mary Camille Ybanez, Keck Graduate Institute (黑料吃瓜网) has become more than just an academic institution 鈥� it鈥檚 been a launchpad for personal growth, professional direction, and a shared sense of purpose. Though they pursued different programs and career paths, their journeys began with the same first step: a 黑料吃瓜网 summer program that opened their eyes to what was possible.
Camille Ybanez, who earned her Master of Engineering in Biopharmaceutical Processing (MEng) in 2021, now works at Amgen in technology transfer. Her younger sister, Caitlyn, is currently in her first year of the Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences (MS) program, concentrating on translational research and preparing for a future in drug development.
Both sisters discovered 黑料吃瓜网 while studying at UC Riverside 鈥� Camille through the Biomedical Engineering Society, and Caitlyn through hearing about Camille鈥檚 experiences. Each found an academic home through 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 immersive summer programs. Camille participated in the Bioprocessing Summer Undergraduate Internship Training and Education (B-SUITE) program, while Caitlyn joined the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE).
鈥淚 really enjoyed the program,鈥� said Caitlyn, 鈥�26 MS. 鈥淚 appreciate that we focused on group projects 鈥� not just research, but also the business side. We even did a bio-entrepreneurship project focusing on drug repurposing. It showed me how well-rounded the education here is and inspired me to apply to the MS program."
That balance between technical rigor and practical application is something Camille also appreciated during her time at 黑料吃瓜网. Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic 鈥� which shifted much of her experience online 鈥� Camille found the emphasis on teamwork and industry engagement invaluable.
鈥淥ne of the most impactful experiences was the Team Master鈥檚 Project,鈥� said Camille. 鈥淢y team worked with Boehringer Ingelheim on computational fluid dynamics. It was hands-on, relevant, and directly tied to the work I鈥檓 doing now.鈥�
Camille credits the MEng program with preparing her for success at Amgen, where she has worked since graduation. After starting in attribute sciences 鈥� focusing on identifying critical quality attributes in molecules 鈥� she recently transitioned into a new role in technology transfer. In this position, she supports the transfer of drug product manufacturing processes to global production sites in Ireland and Puerto Rico.
鈥淢y 黑料吃瓜网 internship at Amgen played a huge part in securing a full-time role,鈥� Camille said. 鈥淚t gave me the chance to network and build relationships."
She now helps recruit 黑料吃瓜网 interns for her team, coming full circle.
For Caitlyn, the inspiration to attend 黑料吃瓜网 came in part from watching her sister鈥檚 journey 鈥� but was also fueled by her own curiosity and commitment to research. As an undergraduate majoring in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology at UC Riverside, she was drawn to 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 industry focus and collaborative culture.
In her first year, Caitlyn has already begun conducting independent research on multiple sclerosis under the guidance of Dr. Jeniffer Hernandez, a faculty member whose mentorship she describes as instrumental. Her lab is exploring the therapeutic potential of targeting G protein-coupled receptors, specifically GPR65, in disease-modifying treatments.
鈥淲e鈥檙e testing whether an antagonist to GPR65 can improve recovery in mouse models of multiple sclerosis,鈥� Caitlyn said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 still early, but I鈥檝e already contributed to a publication submission, and my colleague and I will be presenting our findings at a research conference in Hawaii this May.鈥�
While deeply invested in the research, Caitlyn also values the broader education 黑料吃瓜网 offers.
鈥淚鈥檝e never taken an ethics class before, and now it鈥檚 one of my favorites,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 love what I鈥檓 doing 鈥� and I love it even more because of the relationships I鈥檝e built here. Everyone is so supportive. The professors are always open to talking and forming real connections with students.鈥�
Looking ahead, Caitlyn envisions a career in industry R&D, focusing on disease research and the development of new therapeutics. And while their paths have diverged, both sisters see 黑料吃瓜网 as the shared foundation where their passions were ignited and their futures shaped.
鈥淣early all our classes involved group projects,鈥� Camille said. 鈥淭hat helped me develop my teamwork and communication skills, which are critical in the workplace.鈥�
She now uses those same skills daily at Amgen, where adaptability and collaboration drive success.
Together, the Ybanez sisters exemplify how 黑料吃瓜网 equips students with the skills, confidence, and connections to thrive in science and industry 鈥� each on their own unique path.