From a microbrew to Big Pharma: Opportunities in bioengineering

Between brewing beer in Germany and interning for a pharmaceutical company, Leah Byrne, an undergraduate in bioengineering, is grateful for the opportunities she’s been given.

“It’s exciting to follow all of my interests,” Byrne said. “I’m a curious person and like to pour myself into whatever I’m doing, keeping as many doors open as possible.”

This mentality inspired Byrne to take coursework in biology, chemistry, psychophysiology, and engineering at Oregon State University. She ultimately gravitated toward bioengineering after an experience as a medical patient, wanting to improve the health outcomes of others in similar situations.

Safeguarding medicine at Genentech

Following her interests in healthcare research and development, Byrne completed a three-month internship with Genentech, an American biotech firm, this past summer in Hillsboro as a manufacturing engineering intern.

Byrne joined the facility’s Automated Visual Inspection team, which detects potential defects in medicine vials used for clinical injections. “It was cool to see people working around the clock to ensure the medicine is safe,” she said.

To streamline decision-making on modifications to the team’s defect-detecting machine, Byrne created an extensive protocol that outlines approved, step-by-step guidance for various technical changes. Previously, the process involved back-and-forth communication, sometimes months-long, between departments regarding individual requests.

“I really appreciated Genentech’s overall attitude and commitment to patients,” Byrne said. “It’s a mission that really resonated with me.”

Nerding out about beer

Byrne believes her ongoing lab assistant position in the Food Science and Technology Department prepared her for the internship at Genentech. The lab focuses on hops, an essential ingredient in beer, and is led by Tom Shellhammer, Nor’Wester Professor of Fermentation Science.

In the lab, Byrne extracts oils from hops using distillation and conducts various chemical tests. These include measuring moisture content, analyzing enzymatic activity, UV spectrometry, and determining International Bitterness Units, which indicate how bitter a given beer may taste.

Byrne also assists with sensory testing, wherein research participants are asked to describe the taste of different beers. Personally, she’s drawn to IPAs and fruity beers, excited to spend time with other people who like to “nerd out about beer.”

The wide range of tasks in the hops lab allows Byrne to thrive as a lab assistant. “I enjoy diversifying my skillset and trying new things,” she said.

Byrne discovered her fascination with beer in Germany as an exchange student through the U.S. Department of State's Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Vocational Scholar program during her gap year in Berlin. There, her host parents connected her with a local brewery, where she shadowed a brewing apprentice for a month-long internship.

STEM advocacy

Nearing graduation and reflecting on her time at Oregon State, Byrne feels lucky. “I feel I’ve made the most out of this experience,” she said.

For three years, Byrne was a member of Sigma Delta Omega, an engineering interest-based sorority. She volunteered with the sorority’s philanthropic organization, STEM Academy, where she primarily mentored middle- and high-school women through Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering, and Math.

“I've seen how a lack of confidence, not ability, deters women from pursuing STEM fields. Even with more representation than ever, many young women still feel intimidated entering these spaces,” Byrne said. “Community helps women build confidence, stay curious, and realize they belong in STEM.”

Originally from Colorado, Byrne “couldn’t be happier” with her decision to come to Oregon State. She is proud of her accomplishments and plans to remain open-minded after graduation.

“In five years, I could see myself doing something totally unexpected,” Byrne said. “That excites me.”