A Millyard-Made Scientist
When Dianne Soria moved from New York to New Hampshire, she found herself in a new city, far from home, and unsure where to continue her education. But a single campus tour changed everything. “I remember touring UNH Manchester after seeing an ad about it,” she shares.
“Not only did it feel welcoming, but it offered the program I was interested in and its curriculum was flexible enough to accommodate commuters and non-traditional students such as myself. The answer was obvious and I immediately applied.”
That decision set her on a path that would carry her from the labs of the UNH Manchester Millyard campus to cutting-edge research in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A Passion for Biotechnology
Dianne earned both her B.S. in Biotechnology (2021) and M.S. in Biotechnology: Industrial and Biomedical Sciences (2022) at UNH Manchester. Her motivation came from a lifelong curiosity and desire to address real-world health challenges.
“There's a deep-rooted curiosity of how the world works and excitement of exploring new ideas that is found in biotech,” she explains. “For me, wanting to provide non-invasive and personalized solutions to disease were what largely influenced me to want to study Biotechnology at UNH Manchester.”
Dianne’s passion for innovation aligns perfectly with the opportunities offered by UNH Manchester’s biotechnology programs, which leverage the Millyard Advantage, offering direct access to one of the nation’s fastest-growing biotech hubs. Being in Manchester’s historic Millyard means students work next door to industry-leading companies in regenerative medicine, biomanufacturing, and biomedical research.
Hands-On Learning in the Millyard
During her undergraduate years, Dianne gained transformative research experience working in Dr. Johnson’s pancreatic cancer lab, where she learned essential laboratory and cell culture skills.
“I learned the foundations of cell culture, laboratory skills and gained the much-needed confidence in myself and my research,” she says.
Dianne’s experience continued to build momentum. At the end of her master’s program, she landed a competitive internship at ARMI (Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute), located just steps from campus. She adds:
“I lucked out and landed an internship at ARMI as a Bioprocess Technician where I was eventually hired on full-time after I graduated and continued my work as an Associate Scientist.”
This seamless connection between academic programs and industry partners is a hallmark of the Millyard Advantage. opening doors to internships, research collaborations, and full-time positions.
A Community That Shapes You
When asked about the most rewarding part of her UNH Manchester journey, Dianne says,
“The most rewarding part of this journey, for me, were all the people from different walks of life, cultures, age groups and experiences I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know during my time at UNH Manchester.”
She continues, “I believe I've become a more open minded and confident individual thanks to my peers, professors, and staff I met throughout the years. I have created long lasting friendships that I highly value thanks to the environment UNH Manchester has cultivated.”
She also expressed deep gratitude to the faculty who supported her:
“I would really like to thank Dr. Johnson, Dr. Suh and Dr. MacLea for their guidance, patience, and invaluable knowledge over the years.”
From the Millyard to Cambridge
Today, Dianne is a Senior Research Associate at Sana Biotechnology in Cambridge, MA. Her team is dedicated to developing cell therapies for type 1 diabetes, a mission directly connected to the values that drew her to biotechnology in the first place. Her journey is a powerful example of how UNH Manchester prepares students to step confidently into impactful careers in biotech and life sciences.
Ready to Start Your Journey in Biotechnology?
Dianne’s story is just one of many at UNH Manchester. Here, students experience:
- A welcoming, supportive community
- A flexible, commuter‑friendly environment
- World-class faculty
- A campus embedded in the biotech-rich Millyard
- Hands-on experiences that launch meaningful careers
If you’re inspired by Dianne’s path and want to shape the future of biotech, explore the Biotechnology programs at UNH Manchester and discover the Millyard Advantage for yourself. Learn more about Biotechnology at UNH Manchester and the opportunities waiting in the heart of the Millyard.
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