There are many career options available for individuals with a degree in microbiology—from industry to consulting to working in non-profits. Do you know what career options are available to you? 
"Career Pathways in Microbiology," is a webinar series that consists of virtual career panels, featuring diverse scientists in industry/biotechnology, science policy/advocacy, clinical and public health microbiology and many more sectors. These sessions are for students, postdocs and anyone who is interested in learning about where a degree in microbiology can take you.
Join us for a series of live, 1-hour career panels, each with 2 expert panelists, covering topics, such as career pathways in industry/biotechnology, science policy/advocacy, clinical and public health microbiology, food microbiology, non-profits/foundations, biofuels discovery and entrepreneurship. The career panel will explore the available roles, necessary experience and skills needed to enter the field, and where to look for job openings in the specific profession. The deadline to register for the series is Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 10-11 a.m. ET | Career Pathways in Industry & Biotechnology
Ramya Ganiga, Ph.D.
Scientist, Biopharmaceutical CDMO
Ganiga is a scientist at a biopharmaceutical CDMO, where she supports biologics programs through assay development, execution and qualification. She holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and cell biology, with her doctoral research focused on developing a platform for antibiotic discovery. She enjoys combining strong scientific rigor with quality-focused work and is motivated by contributing to therapies that make a real impact on patients.
Alan Goggins, Ph.D.
Associate Principal Scientist, Merck Research Labs
Goggins is an associate principal scientist at Merck Research Labs in early drug discovery and safety profiling (toxicokinetics), with more than 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Tulane University School of Medicine and a B.S. in environmental public health from Western Carolina University. Goggins is a first-generation college student, a passionate mentor for early career scientists and a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the scientific workforce.Wednesday, March 25, 9-10 a.m. ET | Career Pathways in Science Policy & Advocacy
Adriana Bankston, Ph.D.
Consultant & Former AAAS/ASGCT Congressional Policy Fellow
Bankston is an advocate for scientific research and innovation at the federal level. As the inaugural AAAS/ASGCT Congressional Policy Fellow, she worked to support sustained federal research funding in the U.S. House of Representatives. Previously, she was a Principal Legislative Analyst with University of California Federal Governmental Relations, where she advocated for the university’s research priorities with Congress, the administration and federal agencies. Bankston was awarded the Top 20 in 2022 Award For Excellence in Advocacy, among other honors. She earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry, cell and developmental biology from Emory University.
Garrett Dunlap, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Policy & International Engagement, Engineering Biology Research Consortium
Dunlap serves as Associate Director of Policy & International Engagement at the Engineering Biology Research Consortium. Before this, he was Head of Science and Innovation at the British Consulate-General in New York, fostering U.K.-U.S. science and tech collaborations, and previously worked as a graduate fellow at the Wilson Center, focusing on biosecurity risks from converging technologies, and as a science diplomacy fellow with the Netherlands Innovation Network, exploring deep tech innovation ecosystems. He holds a Ph.D. in biological and biomedical sciences from Harvard University and undergraduate degrees in biology and political science from Case Western Reserve University.
Wednesday, April 22, 10-11 a.m. ET | Career Pathways in Clinical and Public Health Microbiology
Coming Soon
Wednesday, June 10, 10-11 a.m. ET | Career Pathways in Food Microbiology
Coming Soon
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2-3 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Industry & Biotechnology
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2-3 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Non-profits & Foundations
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2-3 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Using Microbiology for Biofuels Discovery
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2-3 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Entrepreneurship
Learning Goals
- Explore the variety of careers in the microbial sciences other than tenure-track faculty careers.
- Learn key skills and experiences needed to enter the profession.
- Connect with mentors in different microbial science careers.
- Understand how to identify which career paths are more suitable for an individual.
- Learn high-level approaches to applying for a job in the microbial sciences.
Format:
- Live, 1-hour career panels, each with 2 expert panelists, covering a broad range of topics and career pathways.
- Each panelist will give a 15-minute presentation on their career path, followed by open Q&A from the audience for the remainder of the session.
- Live attendees will receive a resource page on the top 3 communication, management and interpersonal skills needed for the job, where to look for jobs and top employers in the field.
- Attendees will receive a link to each of the panelist’s 15-minute presentation.
Eligibility
You must be an 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ member to register for the webinar series. This series is for those who are interested in learning about career options available in microbiology for themselves or the students they teach. The primary intended audience is high school students, undergraduate students, master’s and doctoral graduate students, postbaccalaureate, postdocs and medical laboratory scientists.Registration Details
You must be an 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ member to register for the webinar series. Join/renew your 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ membership, .
Deadline to Register is Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Please note that you do not need to attend every session.