Her Story
About Karlie
Karlie Wysong is a Senior Biologist specializing in Cell Biology at ATCC, where she supports the advancement of high-quality biological materials and services used across global life sciences and biomedical research. In her role, she works with cell line production, maintenance, and distribution, helping ensure that researchers in hospitals, academic institutions, and industry have access to reliable and well-characterized models. Her day-to-day work includes client collaboration, cell culture operations, imaging, experimental verification, and detailed batch record documentation to maintain rigorous scientific and regulatory standards. Karlie’s career is rooted in a deep and long-standing passion for science that began in middle school and solidified in high school after she completed a semester project making aspirin from scratch through a community college program. That experience confirmed her interest in drug development and the broader process of translating science into therapeutics. Encouraged early on by her grandmother—who supported her curiosity with National Geographic kits, a microscope, and hands-on science activities—she developed a strong foundation of curiosity and experimentation. As a first-generation college and graduate student, she navigated her academic path without a formal roadmap, earning an associate’s degree while still in high school and ultimately completing her master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at age 21 from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Professionally, Karlie’s experience spans both academic and industry research, including CAR-T therapy research focused on designing constructs to target cancer cells, as well as prior roles at Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. and an internship at AstraZeneca. She also completed undergraduate research at Virginia Tech, where she studied molecular dynamics and protein folding behavior. Across every stage of her career, she has been driven by a consistent motivation to learn, generate meaningful data, and translate findings into actionable scientific insight, with a strong emphasis on experimentation, analysis, and advancing biomedical research applications.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karlie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I really think my passion for science drives everything I do. I really love experimenting, I love getting data, I love analyzing data and making decisions off data. My drive through the whole process of college and the couple jobs I've had has really just been the passion for science and always wanting to learn more. That love started when I was young - my grandma would get me different National Geographic kits, and she got me a microscope one time, which really fueled the love I have for microscopy now. I'd do different experiments and play with circuit boards and different hands-on things. Around 8th grade, I knew that I wanted to work in drug development, but it was solidified during my time in high school at community college when my semester project was to make aspirin from scratch. From then on, I really wanted to work in drug development or some sort of process of drug development. That kind of sealed the deal and led me to studying pharmaceutical sciences in grad school and getting that well-rounded bit of drug development knowledge.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd tell them that attention to detail and staying focused are essential in this field - but so is giving yourself grace. Things won't always work out the first time. Experiments fail, protocols go sideways, and you'll make mistakes because you're human. What matters is picking yourself back up, troubleshooting with curiosity, and trying again. That resilience is one of the most valuable traits you can bring into this industry.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Biotechnology is facing a challenging moment as advanced therapies become increasingly complex to design, validate, and manufacture, requiring new delivery systems, specialized infrastructure, and highly skilled teams. At the same time, global competition plays a role in adding pressure to innovate faster while keeping costs down. Rising tariffs and trade policies add another layer of strain, increasing the cost of materials and delaying delivery times. Despite these challenges, biotech is still full of opportunity right now, especially as the industry pushes into more advanced science and smarter technology. Some exciting advancements include cell and gene editing, mRNA platforms, organ-on-chip systems, and 3D culture models.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my work and personal life, I value curiosity, continuous learning, and discipline. I genuinely love experimenting, analyzing data, and using evidence to make decisions - that drive to understand how things work has shaped my education and every role I've had. I also value growth and resilience, always wanting to learn more and push myself. Outside of work, I prioritize balance and connection. I spend time with friends and family, stay active through kickboxing, and enjoy hobbies that require patience and care, like maintaining my 65-gallon fish tank or taking my motorcycle out for a ride.
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