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Welcome back to our student spotlight series, where we highlight undergraduate and graduate students of many class years and majors. Meet John Kenney '26, who is getting his master's in molecular and cellular biotechnology at UNH. Fascinated by breakthroughs in cellular agriculture, John transitioned from the Air Force to an undergraduate degree in biology, which led him to pursue his master's to gain the skills necessary for a career in the biotech field.

Why did you decide to get your master’s at UNH?

I have been fascinated by breakthroughs in cellular agriculture since hearing about the first lab-grown meatballs in 2013. While I was in the Air Force, I made plans to go back to school and work in the field. Once I separated from service in 2020, I went back for my undergraduate degree in biology. I quickly learned that many companies in biotech require a master’s degree or Ph.D. to work in R&D (research and development) or operations. 

When I started looking into programs, I found out about UNH’s professional master’s program in molecular and cellular biotechnology from a few web searches, and after reading through different biotech forums and seeing YouTube testimonials from alumni, I put together my application and started in August 2025.

"While I was in the Air Force, I made plans to go back to school and work in the field. When I started looking into programs, I found out about UNH’s professional master’s program in molecular and cellular biotechnology."

How have you been able to connect with industry partners? 

My program has such a unique level of integration between industry and academia. Our program advisor, Professor Rick Cote, and the Career Center staff, Melissa, John, and Lori, have done fantastic jobs at getting the students involved in career fairs, internships, outreach programs, and overall preparing us to meet with prospective employers. I cannot overstate the benefits that this program has for preparing me to enter the professional workforce and make connections with the biotech industry.

"I cannot overstate the benefits that this program has for preparing me to enter the professional workforce and make connections with the biotech industry."

What hands-on learning and lab experience have you gained?

In my first semester, I learned how to culture mammalian cells with Professor Paul Tsang. This semester, I’m continuing cell culture work with Professor Sarah Walker. These are hugely critical skills in many core processes for drug production and medical research. Gaining experience is not something you can do outside the laboratory, and even a small amount of experience opens up a large sector of work opportunities. Additionally, many of the professors have been supportive of me working independently in their labs on small projects. I’ve been able to work in Assistant Professor Linqing Li’s lab decellularizing spinach leaves to eventually culture different cell types that might give us a better idea about materials and arrangements we can use for 3D cell cultures. This can have further applications in drug development, regenerative medicine, and sustainable agriculture. 

Lastly, while not hands-on in the traditional sense, I’ve also learned how to analyze datasets in a statistical analysis class. I didn’t think I would enjoy the analytics as much as I did. It’s incredible how useful you can be with a little software knowledge and a few hours at a café analyzing experimental data sets.

"These are hugely critical skills in many core processes for drug production and medical research. Gaining experience is not something you can do outside the laboratory, and even a small amount of experience opens up a large sector of work opportunities."

What's it like learning at an R1 research university? 

I went to the University of Tampa before coming here and it was just a different chapter of my life. What stands out the most being at UNH is the level of integration between the UNH research labs and the biotech industry partners — expensive equipment with plaques from an industry donor, poster-board-sized donation checks with a biotech firm’s signature, and deeply-rooted liaisons working closely with faculty members — all demonstrative of the time, money, and legacy companies and institutions place in UNH for future innovation and scientific progress.

What are some of the most important skills you’ve gained?

It might sound basic, but I learned how to show up for other people. Everybody’s got something going on in their personal life. Everybody’s got something else that they could be doing instead. But what matters most when working with others is that you know how to show up for them and what that looks like. This means being prepared before a lab, anticipating project roadblocks and thinking ahead for the group, asking the question you know others are struggling to ask, and, often, just being consistently present in the room.

"It might sound basic, but I learned how to show up for other people. This means being prepared before a lab, anticipating project roadblocks and thinking ahead for the group, asking the question you know others are struggling to ask, and, often, just being consistently present in the room."

How have you been supported by professors and advisors?

I’ve gotten nothing but positive support from my professors here at UNH. Foremost, Professor Rick Cote has shown deep professional care in his role as a program advisor for me and my peers. He’s met with each of us to ensure that our experience in the program is tailored for our own career prospects and personal curiosities. I’ve also met with many professors to ask about their research, learn more about their courses, and find opportunities for building new research skills in their labs. I’ve been very appreciative of the time and resources these professors have given me to work alongside and shadow their grad students, attend workshops, and receive formal training on instrumentation and laboratory equipment. Although I’ve only been here one semester, it certainly feels like I’ve been a student here for longer.

"I’ve been very appreciative of the time and resources professors have given me to work alongside and shadow their grad students, attend workshops, and receive formal training on instrumentation and laboratory equipment. Although I’ve only been here one semester, it certainly feels like I’ve been a student here for longer."

What are your plans for after UNH?

I am exploring a wide range of possibilities after the program. Biotech is a global industry. There are opportunities in Europe and Southeast Asia for cellular agriculture and biomanufacturing. For drug development, Boston is an area with many major employers as well as San Francisco, California and also Seattle, Washington. Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) in Manchester, New Hampshire has a large network of biotech-related partners working on exciting challenges. Many jobs involving regulatory affairs and clinical drug trial support offer remote positions, and I have been most recently looking into those types of roles so I can continue in the field while connecting with family who live across the U.S.

Why would you recommend this program to prospective students? 

I have not been able to find any advanced education programs that offer a one-year master’s degree with such direct ties to industry partners in the biotechnology industry as UNH does through their molecular and cellular biotechnology program. The UNH staff goes out of their way to help students build successful careers or earn a place in research after graduation. In terms of practical investments, getting an M.S. in molecular and cellular biotechnology offers substantial return for a one-year program, with plenty of opportunities to expand and explore deeper interests in the field.   

"I have not been able to find any advanced education programs that offer a one-year master’s degree with such direct ties to industry partners in the biotechnology industry as UNH does through their molecular and cellular biotechnology program."