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Bioengineering student lands hands-on learning experiences at Abbott and Genentech 

Iliana Minervini ’25 
Major: Bioengineering 
Hometown: San Salvador, El Salvador 
Awards: Dean’s Honor Roll, Academic Excellence Scholarship Recipient 

Pacific bioengineering major Iliana Minervini ’25 is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with medical conditions. Through her internship as a systems development engineer at Genentech, Iliana helps develop medical devices that address biomedical challenges and transform lives. Her journey to this role was challenging, but Pacific’s CO-OP program equipped her with the necessary skills to break into the industry and expand her research in biomedical technology. 

“I love the company. The products are so complex, and the job I’m doing right now, I like a lot,” Iliana said. “You don’t have a routine. It changes every week, and I like that part of the job.” 

Before securing her internship at Genentech’s subsidiary, GenMark Diagnostics, Iliana completed an eight-month CO-OP at Abbott, a health technology company, as a systems engineer. Pacific’s Cooperative Education Program (CO-OP) provides students with real-world experience by combining classroom learning with paid, on-the-job training. The program supported Iliana as she applied her academic knowledge and built professional networks. Iliana had already developed her biomedical expertise research at Pacific working alongside Professors Fatemeh Khatami and Varadraj Vernekar on her research. 

“Thanks to the university, I got one of my very first experiences in the medical field,” Iliana said. 

Health care work runs in her family 

Born and raised in San Salvador, El Salvador, Iliana was inspired by her parents, who both work in the medical field. Her father, a physician, and her mother, a pharmaceutical sales representative, have supported her from afar since she moved to the United States three years ago. Choosing to major in bioengineering allowed Iliana to delve into the intricate circuits and components of the medical profession. Her dedication and experience in Pacific’s CO-OP program have opened exciting opportunities for her. 

During her CO-OP at Abbott, Iliana’s team ensured that products met all standards before submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This role involved rigorous testing to resolve any issues and ensure products were up to standard. 

“We are like the last line of defense before we submitted our work to the FDA,” Iliana explained. Her Abbott experience was invaluable when Iliana applied for the internship at Genentech (a member of the Roche Group), where she now works as a systems development engineer. 

From Abbott to GenMark 

Iliana started her internship at GenMark Diagnostics in May and works in research and development engineering, creating diagnostic devices to identify the nature or cause of medical conditions.  

“First, we have to come up with a concept or a prototype, like an idea and how to make it into an actual, tangible product. That’s what research and development is, in essence,” Iliana explained. “Right now, the company already has a design, but we’re still making some design changes to it. We are trying to make it more efficient, more compact, and faster.” 

While Pacific’s CO-OP program at Abbott opened doors, it was Iliana’s own efforts that secured her internship at Genentech’s GenMark. “Pacific gives you preliminary knowledge and develops your critical thinking, which are the main aspects you need to be successful in the industry or academia. While school won’t give you all the answers, it provides a good base.” 

Iliana is eager to continue working at a medical company like Genentech after completing her undergraduate studies.  

“It’s a gratifying field,” Iliana said. “I have enjoyed the journey because it’s a way to understand the many ways of contributing to people’s health.”

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