Intern Spotlight: Joel Tetty’s Role in Advancing Sustainable Biotech at Dakota BioWorx

At Dakota BioWorx, we are always looking for ways to support the next generation of biotech professionals, and one of the key ways we’re doing that is through the CNAM Bio & Dakota BioWorx Internship Program. We are thrilled to announce Joel Tetty, a sophomore biomedical engineering student at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, as the first intern selected for this program.

Joel’s journey began at CNAM Bio in Rapid City, where he has been working on cutting-edge research and learning about bioprocessing. Under the mentorship of Dr. Ankan Sinha, Joel is gaining hands-on experience in microbial culture and learning how to scale lab experiments for larger production processes. In the coming months, he will transition to Dakota BioWorx in Brookings, where he will continue his work on the corn-stover-derived PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) production project. This project aims to create biodegradable plastics from agricultural waste, offering a more sustainable solution to petroleum-based plastics.

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Joel’s work will focus on downstream processing—specifically in the extraction and purification of PHA—a crucial and cost-intensive part of the overall process. Through this internship, Joel will gain invaluable experience in both biotech research and commercial biomanufacturing processes, preparing him for a future career in the rapidly growing biotech industry.

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The CNAM Bio & Dakota BioWorx Internship Program is part of our ongoing effort to foster workforce development and build South Dakota’s reputation as a leader in sustainable biotech. By working closely with SD Mines and other educational institutions, we are creating a pipeline of skilled professionals who will continue to drive innovation in the state and beyond.

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Stay tuned as we follow Joel’s progress throughout the program. We’re excited to share the impact this internship will have on his career and the future of sustainable biotech in South Dakota.

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