Inside Promega
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Promega wants to be your partner. On this page you can get to know us better!
Here, you will find interesting news about Promega, who joined and will support you in the future in your lab, and what Promega is doing as a company.
Is there anything in particular you want to know about us? Please feel free and ask!
Today, we’ll meet John Picciano, a Global Validation Scientist based out of the United States.
Why did you choose to go into Forensics?
I lucked into forensics, for lack of a better word. I was doing research on Cystic Fibrosis at the University of Pittsburgh as my first job out of college in 2001. My mother worked for a law firm where one of the attorney’s was friends with one of the PA State Police Crime Lab Managers. He knew that I had a Biology degree and that they were in need of scientists. So, I applied and got the job. It truly was the best luck I could’ve asked for career wise because I couldn’t imagine having worked in a more challenging and rewarding industry.
Tell us a little bit about what your role is at Promega.
I am a Global Validation Scientist at Promega. My role is to support crime laboratories who are looking to implement new instrumentation and/or chemistries produced by Promega. In this role, I conduct studies at the crime laboratories that meet the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for the validation of new methods. I also prepare written summaries of these validations and provide training and education for the laboratory analysts upon the completion of the validation.
If you could be anything else, what career would you have?
Professional golfer for sure. Travelling the world to play golf? Yep, sign me up right now. Too bad my talents are not quite up to par.
Who would you say has had the most influence on your life?
It would have to be my parents. They worked very hard to make sure that my sister and I had every opportunity to be successful. They made it a point to make sure our educations always came first and provided great examples of how to approach work and life. I was really lucky to have such loving and supportive parents.
Are you a Star Wars or Star Trek fan or neither?
Definitely a Star Wars guy. I never really watched Star Trek. I always thought it would be awesome to wield a lightsaber and make things move with the force.
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
I’d have to go with Lou Holtz, former head football coach at the University of Notre Dame. I grew up a huge Notre Dame fan and Coach Holtz was the man at that time. I’d love to hear stories about the team and players from the inside. Also, he has gone on in retirement to give many motivational lectures that I’ve always found thoughtful and inspiring. If you have a few minutes, I’d recommend looking some of them up. They will definitely give you a lift for your day! I did get to give him a high five one night as he was leaving the field after beating the University of Pittsburgh. I was about 11 when my Aunt and Great Uncle were able to sneak me down onto the field after the game.
What is your favorite sport to watch?
Without a doubt I am a diehard college football fan. More specifically I’m a Notre Dame Fighting Irish fanatic! A group of friends and myself make an annual pilgrimage to South Bend, Indiana every year to take in a home game.
If you could have any one skill or talent you don’t already have, what would it be and why?
Having an Italian ancestry, I really wish I could speak fluent Italian. I grew up in the Pittsburgh, PA area which has a rich Italian population with many native speakers I can call friends. It would be great to be able to surprise them when I join in the conversations in Italian. Also, maybe my job will take me to Italy one day for a validation!