About
The Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) is an international education program funded by the Amgen Foundation. As an Affiliate Site, ABE-San Diego is supported by New England BioLabs, EmbiTec MiniOne, the California CCAP STEM Pathways Academy Grant, the Defense STEM Education Consortium supported by DoD STEM, Mt. San Jacinto College, San Diego Miramar College, Biocom California Institute, and others.
San Diego Site Director
Lauren E. Shipp, Ph.D.
Lauren oversees the overall program, resource management, and partnerships. She has a B.A. in Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley and a M.S. in Oceanography and Ph.D. in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. She was a postdoctoral scholar in molecular neurobiology at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Lauren has published research in cell and developmental biology, toxicology, cell physiology, gene regulation, bioacoustics, and curriculum design. She is a faculty instructor with the Reproductive Oncofertility Science Academy (ROSA) at UC San Diego and the science lead with the ROSA-Teacher sister program. She is also the Science Educator at Biocom Institute, and she delivers lectures and workshops in biotechnology at San Diego Miramar College.
San Diego Site Coordinator & Technician
Tracey Milani, Ph.D.
Tracey is the coordinator and lab technician for the Amgen Biotechnology Experience – San Diego and an adjunct faculty member in Biotechnology at San Diego Miramar College. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member in Nutrition at San Diego Mesa College and a science teacher at Torah High School. She especially enjoys providing high school students with opportunities to learn transferable skills and earn college credit before high school graduation.
Tracey earned her Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from The University of Texas at Austin and her B.S. in Biology from UC San Diego. When not working, she spends time with her husband, son, and dog (Penny). She also practices yoga, archery, and loves to travel.
San Diego Site Coordination Partner
Mikayla Ortega, M.S.
Mikayla Ortega earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Biology from San Diego State University with a double minor in Psychology and Geological Sciences. Pursuing her passions for marine science, she earned her Master of Science degree in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO). During her time at SIO, she studied how various marine organisms manage and regulate the acid/base balance of their cellular and interstitial environments. Her thesis research focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind coral pH regulation and calcification, or skeleton formation. Mikayla spent the next four years teaching a variety of courses at different community colleges in San Diego and currently still teaches in the Department of Physics, Engineering and Earth Sciences at Cuyamaca College. Now, she works as a Program Manager of Partner Programs with Biocom California Institute (BCI). Through BCI, Mikayla supports the administrative operations for the Amgen Biotech Experience. Her favorite pass times are walking the Ocean Beach pier at sunset, reading a good book at the beach, paddleboarding in Mission Bay and hanging out with her two dogs.
MSJC Site Coordinator
Nick Reeves, Ph.D.
Nick oversees reservations through Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC). Nick is an Associate Professor of Biosciences at MSJC and holds a PhD in Biology. Prior to becoming a faculty member, he was a postdoctoral scholar in molecular neurobiology at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.