DeSoto ISD Grows Biotech Workforce in Partnership With Panthera BioSolutions

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW) is a growing hub for life science and biotechnology firms, with 220 companies moving to the region in the past 15 years. While this has created more than 26,000 jobs in the past five years, there isn’t a clear talent pipeline for residents, especially students. The team at Panthera BioSolutions is addressing this gap by collaborating with DeSoto Independent School District (ISD) and Dallas College to support the next generation of DeSoto life science employees through hands-on, industry-aligned training.

“We want students in DeSoto to see that the life sciences aren’t abstract or out of reach,” says Jason Mastoris, co-founder of Panthera BioSolutions. “There’s a real, sustainable path from the classroom into industry, and this program is designed to help students step confidently into those roles.”

Mastoris, along with co-founder Hardik Patel, developed a 32-hour Pharmaceutical Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) Fundamentals course to prepare high school students for entry into the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector. While this program isn’t intended to replace the training of a specific employer, it teaches students about the industry, gives them terminology to navigate the field with confidence, and provides valuable hands-on training and exposure to manufacturing processes.

Students From Diverse Backgrounds Enrolled in the Program

The Pharmaceutical cGMP Fundamentals course at DeSoto ISD debuted in May 2025, and there has been a significant amount of interest across the school system. Students from around the region are eager to learn about the industry and develop a foundation to enter the life science field.

“The students’ strong desire to learn and develop impressed me,” says Mastoris. “They were so motivated and hard-working. Students would come to class with questions and were eager to learn more about the industry and the potential career paths.”  

The program is unique to DeSoto ISD. Not many high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) departments across the country offer pharmaceutical manufacturing hands-on training. Mastoris says he was recently told that there are only a handful of other cGMP training programs taking place within a high school setting across the country.

“This partnership helps create a strong, sustainable talent pipeline for the growing biotechnology sector in North Texas,” says Tetsuya Umebayashi, vice provost for the School of Health Sciences at Dallas College. “By collaborating with DeSoto ISD and Panthera BioSolutions, we are giving students early exposure to industry standards, hands-on training, and clear pathways to in-demand careers in the biomanufacturing and health sciences.”

The cGMP program is also available to college students. Participants range from recent high school graduates to experienced employees seeking a career change. 

The cGMP Program Connects Education With Industry

Panthera BioSolutions is uniquely positioned to develop the next generation of life science employees. It has a cGMP hands-on training center on-site, but primarily provides pharmaceutical manufacturing services to companies in the region. It is an active facility that meets the needs of customers while also allocating space for educational purposes.

“We are not a training company,” says Patel. “This program with the high school started as a passion project because we had difficulty finding qualified cGMP-trained candidates in the area.”

Patel and Mastoris met with the DeSoto High School principal, DeSoto DDC, and the team at Dallas College to see what they could jointly offer. What started as an exploratory meeting turned into Panthera BioSolutions developing and executing the cGMP program.

The relationships that Patel and Mastoris have in the community can make this program successful. When other companies see that job applicants have a certificate through Panthera BioSolutions, they can be confident that candidates are prepared to operate in cGMP environments and understand industry terminology, equipment, and expectations. 

The cGMP Program Helps Students Stand Out as Candidates

Both Patel and Mastoris emphasize the importance of teaching students terminology related to pharmaceutical manufacturing as they progress through their coursework. Students can clearly explain what they learned on their resumes and answer questions during interviews.  

“Students can now walk into interviews and speak the language of the employer,” says Mastoris. “If I were choosing between candidates, I would lean toward someone who already understands basic cGMP concepts.

Following the successful completion of the class, Patel and Mastoris meet with the students to debrief, identify strengths and weaknesses, brainstorm career interests and potential industry roles, and discuss career pathways. The team at Dallas College helps students update their resumes and hosts mock interviews to showcase their knowledge and skills. Students also meet with the college’s senior success coach to learn about potential job openings in the area and to address challenges that prevent them from attaining or maintaining a career.

Students who complete the certificate may attend college afterward and then return to the industry once they graduate. However, this certificate also helps students who want to enter the workforce immediately in an entry-level role. Not everyone has the means to attend college after high school, and the cGMP program helps students enter the field to gain experience before pursuing college coursework. Other students might work while attending college part-time.  

The program has already begun translating into real-world opportunities. One student from the inaugural DeSoto High School cohort is planning to join Panthera BioSolutions as an intern, where he will shadow validation, facilities, and operations teams. The experience provides continued exposure to a cGMP environment, while allowing the student to build practical, hands-on experience alongside industry professionals.

A Local Talent Pipeline Directly Benefits Employers

DeSoto companies should be excited about the ISD developing a cGMP program through Panthera BioSolutions. They can look for this certificate when hiring entry-level candidates to find qualified individuals who are invested in the field.  

Onboarding is faster for students who have completed the cGMP program because they already have an understanding of the field and have some hands-on experience. The hiring risk is lower because the candidate has committed to the industry by investing their time and energy into completing the course.

“It’s not uncommon for a company to spend six months training an employee, only for them to leave,” says Mastoris. “There is a large transactional cost associated with this. Other companies have to hire from outside the state, which leads to relocation costs and the risk that employees leave if they decide against living in Texas.”

Many DeSoto ISD students want to stay in Texas, and specifically want to live in the DFW Metroplex. They are committed to both the region and the industry.

“Cities across the country are taking initiative to build their workforces,” says Patel. “There has always been a need in this region for employees who can operate in the pharma and life science environments. Our goal is to start building that workforce.”  

DeSoto is Committed to the Life Science Industry 

The future of life science and biotechnology can be found across DeSoto. Both the ISD and local colleges support students entering this field, while companies like Panthera BioSolutions invest in the workforce to make hiring easier.

The DeSoto Development Corporation is also a valuable partner for companies moving to or growing in the area. The organization helps businesses find shovel-ready sites, take advantage of tax credits, and work with regional hiring partners.

If DeSoto, Texas, isn’t on your radar for life sciences and biotechnology, it should be. Its strategic location, affordability, and qualified workforce make it easy for companies operating in the area to thrive.

Contact us today for support moving to the region and to learn more about the benefits of operating in this part of DFW.