Opportunities at ArunA Bio
Tracey Worthington-Stice and Dr. Steven Stice (from left to right), co-founders of ArunA Bio, stand in front of the laboratory where ArunA Bio scientists work. Photo courtesy of University of Georgia
Students interested in learning more about degenerative brain illness prevention while also staying in the Athens area, take a look at company ArunA Bio.
Founded over 12 years ago by Dr. Steven Stice and Tracey Worthington-Stice, his wife, with the purpose of making their work commercially available.
“We have seen devastating diseases such as stroke and other neurological disease including (multiple sclerosis) affect our family. We wanted to make a difference,” Dr. Stice said in an email.
Dr. Stice, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar endowed chair, D.W. Brooks Distinguished Professor in UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Director of UGA’s Regenerative Bioscience Center. ArunA Bio is his fourth company, and this is his advice to those who are looking to go down a similar path.
“Find people that can help you in areas you are less familiar with. There are so many moving parts that you (can’t) do it all and be able to let go and let others have the freedom to make things happen,” Dr. Stice said in an email. “It is very rewarding but very hard work so make sure you have a solid technology and you ready to dedicate yourself to it.”
UGA MBB Class of 2019 graduate Kenny Malaney currently works full-time at ArunA as a Laboratory Facilities Coordinator.
“Whenever we get packages in, they have to be received in accordance with GxP practices, specifically (Good Documentation Practice). Everything has to be documented and recorded, and those packing slips have to be matched up to the invoices to make sure we’re paying off the vendors,” Malaney said. “Another aspect of that is (being) part of the safety committee. I was in charge of emergency preparedness, so what to do in a severe weather emergency, active shooter, fire, all those sorts of things, and spearheaded the CPR/AED certifications for everybody.”
“Find people that can help you in areas you are less familiar with. There are so many moving parts that you (can’t) do it all and be able to let go and let others have the freedom to make things happen.”
— Dr. Steven Stice, ArunA co-founder and UGA Department of Animal & Dairy Science professor
For both incoming and current MBB students, Malaney advises to be involved in tangible projects.
“Be sure that you’re doing those undergrad research projects, even though you don’t get anything published, (it) doesn’t matter. That experience is invaluable,” Malaney said. “A lot of these pharmaceutical companies are expecting you to come in with some sort of background in research, so doing those undergrad research projects or the MBB research projects is key. And I would encourage anybody who hasn’t (done so) to definitely take upon a leadership position on those research projects.”
Presently, MBB students can look into applying for the Biomanufacturing Associate I position, which can be found under “Careers.”
To learn more about Dr. Stice, click here.