Kenan Fellows Program Logo and page header graphic

A Day in the Life: Exploring Biomanufacturing Careers

About the Author

Curriculum Project banner image
Lori Stroud
Curriculum Project banner image
Rick Lawless

Lori Stroud » is a National Board Certified Teacher who has been teaching Exploring Career Decisions and Exploring Biotechnology at Clayton Middle School in Clayton, North Carolina since 1996. A North Carolina Teaching Fellow, Lori graduated Summa Cum Laude from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education. She has received numerous grants, from the Johnston County Education Foundation and North Carolina Biotechnology Center, to fund projects in her classroom. She was named a Johnston County Schools Flame for Learning Award Semi-Finalist in 2003 and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2004. Lori can be contacted at (919) 553-5811 or loristroud@johnston.k12.nc.us.

About the Mentor

Mr. Rick Lawless, Associate Director for Strategic Support at North Carolina State University’s Biomanufacturing Education and Training Center (BTEC), provides leadership for the teams responsible for laboratory operations, student coordination, instructional design, and administration.

He has been involved with BTEC since the proposal phase and then as a member of BTEC's Industrial Advisory Board. He joined BTEC two years ago to help with the start-up of the facility and the organization. He developed and now teaches BEC 480 (cGMP Fermentation Operations), several modules for the FDA training contract, and a short course in fermentation operations. He is currently developing a new regulatory compliance course. Prior to coming to BTEC, he worked 20+ years in the biotechnology industry for Eastman Kodak, Johnson & Johnson, and Wyeth, making industrial enzymes, diagnostics, and vaccines, respectively. He worked 15 years in management of cGMP production operations, but also has experience in quality compliance, process engineering, and fermentation process development. Rick can be contacted at (919) 513-0969 or rick_lawless@ncsu.edu.