Month: April 2024

Originally published on Illumina News Center

Inside a lab that is off-limits to most employees, Staff Engineer Allie Duchnak coordinates hundreds of details for highly confidential projects. Based at Illumina’s San Diego headquarters, her interdisciplinary team, Advanced Platforms, builds test beds for components that may one day become part of a sequencer.

If you were allowed a peek, you’d see a lab filled with fluidic tubes, flow cells, computers, imaging, and syringe pumps. “What we do looks pretty ugly,” Duchnak laughs. “There are parts and things going in all different directions.”

The first project she worked on that made it to market became part of the Illumina NovaSeq X Sequencing System. She had joined the project in 2019, but the work began even before that. “Everything else I’ve worked on is still not yet a product,” she says. Her timelines stretch into next year or 2026 (and that’s fast-tracked, believe it or not); more commonly she works within a three-to-five-year timeframe and generates ideas for items that are a decade out.

Duchnak studied nanoengineering at the University of California, San Diego, but she always wanted to do something related to health and health care, and she found her way to Illumina through her on-campus volunteer work. As an undergraduate, she got involved in Global TIES (Teams in Engineering Service), which pairs students with not-for-profits to deliver a useful engineering task. In TIES, she was part of a group developing a low-cost HIV monitoring system at the university’s San Diego Center for AIDS Research. At the same time, she and her undergrad teammates founded a startup, which led her to transition from nanoengineering to bioengineering and biology.

After a year in the San Diego Center for AIDS Research, Illumina hired her—just as she happened to begin a master’s program in biotechnology. “I ended up doing both because it just didn’t make sense to turn either down,” she says. Illumina is her first job in the industry.

On top of her engineering work, Duchnak continues to volunteer through internal opportunities at Illumina. Since 2021, she has served as a volunteer manager for The Future Is Bright, a cornerstone Illumina corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. This monthlong genomic literacy campaign, tied to DNA Day on April 25, sends volunteers to schools near Illumina sites, including San Diego and Foster City, California; Madison, Wisconsin; and various international offices. Illumina employees connect with students by hosting career panels, implementing genomics curricula, and leading hands-on experiments, such as extracting DNA from strawberries. Illumina’s goal is to reach 5 million STEM learners by 2030, with the idea of fueling a diverse pipeline of future scientists.

As the lead volunteer manager, Duchnak coordinates about 15 volunteer managers who, in turn, help prepare the other volunteers and connect with the teachers. It’s a massive undertaking, but the takeaway every year is the small, joyful aha moments. Duchnak remembers one student at San Diego’s Lewis Middle School last year: “He was so enthusiastic about answering our questions and trying to share what he knew, and it was really great for me and the other volunteers to see that what we consider normal daily job activities can be so exciting to kids.”

Making connections 
Another program, Genomics 101, is open to any employee year-round. Volunteers can visit a classroom with a ready-made presentation and tools like the strawberry DNA extraction kit. Duchnak explains: “In addition to presenting about Illumina, we also introduce kids to concepts such as ‘What is a genome?’ and ‘How much DNA is in our bodies?’ The numbers are kind of mind-boggling, even to adults—so to kids, it’s even more so.”

When they’re in the classroom, Duchnak has been passionate about urging her fellow volunteers to share stories that will help students feel a connection—if not to the unfamiliar science material, then to the employees themselves. She revamped a slide template to allow volunteers space to include personal stories, not just career facts. Did they go to a community college? Play soccer? Question what they wanted to do in life? Duchnak says kids are surprised to see someone who went directly to a four-year university standing next to someone raised in a rural area with very few STEM resources or advanced placement classes. “The critical part is not putting the focus so much on what employees do, but connecting with students and showing them there are many different paths. It doesn’t matter where you came from or what you were equipped with. You, too, can do whatever you want, and we’re giving examples within the Illumina community.”

Recently, another opportunity that Duchnak has been involved in is with a nonprofit Illumina supports, called SD Squared. It focuses on increasing diversity in STEM fields in San Diego. Duchnak participates in the SD2 mentorship program for high school and college students in San Diego County and beyond. She mentors a student at UC Riverside. Working with so many students has taught her not just the importance of connecting to each one as a person, but also that having access is key. “SD Squared has taught me what a difference it makes just to have exposure to STEM and resources.”

She is also an ally or contributor to all of Illumina’s employee resource groups (ERG). “I really keep an eye out on what all of them are doing. I’ll check to see if there’s any place that I can plug myself in while also trying to be aware of leaving room for others.”

Another recent volunteer opportunity included working with two local nonprofits that connect to Illumina’s mission, and that the company supports: Rady Children’s Hospital and the San Diego Zoo. Last weekend, Duchnak attended Wild Walkabout at the San Diego Zoo.

Finding opportunities 
Giving back helps connect employees to the company’s mission, and to operating responsibly. Illumina employees can learn about skills-based volunteer opportunities the same way Duchnak does: through CSR emails, Workplace posts from ERGs, and the company’s giving back portal. There is even a volunteer rewards program where employees who log their volunteer time can earn $10 per hour to donate to an eligible charity of their choice. Employees also get 16 hours of paid time off for volunteering, a $500 donation match, and a $25 new-hire donation deposit.

“Imagine a world in which every person or professional could contribute something to our society, and more specifically to our kids,” Duchnak says. “If they volunteered for an hour a month, or even one hour a year, we could make a difference in getting resources and access to more people in our communities. That vision keeps me going forward to contribute as much as I can and to try to rally people around that. If we have the energy, if we have anything extra in our cup, where can we put it to help fill another cup?”

Lightning round with Allie Duchnak

Employee since: 2018

Proudest career moment: Seeing NovaSeq X announced and knowing that a project I worked on in its early stages made it into the world.

Most cherished Illumina tradition, event, or extracurricular: If it’s not clear yet, I love volunteering! So naturally, I think it’s San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering.

Her go-to cafeteria food: The loaded Thai fries! I don’t care what they’re served with, or if I brought lunch that day, I will always get them.

Best engineering tip: The simplest, already existing (sometimes every day household items) can be the best inspiration for even complex systems like sequencer components.

Book on her nightstand: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

Favorite place in San Diego: Kate Sessions Park and Pure Project Brewing (among many others)

Learn more about how Illumina is increasing equitable access to STEM education and empowering communities by engaging our people to be agents of change. 

Mastercard

Today, Nubank and Mastercard released findings from a study measuring the financial inclusion impact on individuals, including some who have historically been on the margins of the traditional banking system in Brazil.1 The study provides a view of customers’ experiences accessing and using financial solutions and tools, and the impact of those experiences on their ability to advance toward financial security and health. The four-part framework used in the study – access, usage, security, health – illustrates the holistic, non-linear journey of financial inclusion. While the study was developed in Brazil, the methodology allows the insights to potentially be applied in other countries around the world.

The study, which analyzed consumer behaviors and needs through pseudonymized and aggregated quantitative data and qualitative surveys with Nubank’s customers and non-customers, suggests that Brazil stands out in Latin America for being at a stage of growing financial inclusion, with 70% card penetration (i.e. individuals owning a debit or credit card, according to the World Bank Global Findex), 55% card usage and a high level of real-time payments usage.2 The elimination of typical infrastructure barriers to financial inclusion makes Brazil an advantageous market for studying the process and impact of financial inclusion independent of those barriers.

The data revealed that providing the unbanked and underbanked (i.e. those who lack access to credit and rely heavily on cash) populations access to financial services can potentially generate significant economic and social impact. Sixty percent of Nubank’s customers moved from financial access to usage in 24 months and 40% within 12 months, regardless of income level. The study also suggests that making payments with prepaid cards can be a stepping stone to accessing advanced financial products. More than three-quarters (80%) of people who used a prepaid card used it as their first financial product, 67% went on to access loan products, and 36% progressed to make investments.

While barriers to access remain, it is essential that those who do have access are reaping the full benefits from their financial accounts. In Brazil, 84% of adults have access to financial accounts, but they may lack financial education to progress along the inclusion journey. Active financial product usage may also increase familiarity and trust, leading to accelerated financial inclusion.

“Since Nubank was founded, financial education has always been one of our pillars and it is also present in the design of our products and services in order to empower consumers to make the best decisions for their lives and have control over their money,” says Cristina Junqueira, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer from Nubank. “Although access to financial services in and of itself has had a major impact, advancing the literacy journey on these topics brings greater and more sustainable benefits not only to individuals, but to the community as a whole.”

Providing digital payment tools accompanied by financial education (e.g., according to Nubank, its “Money Boxes” are designed to offer financial planning in combination with interest-bearing savings accounts), encouraging responsible use of credit, and investing in micro, small and medium enterprises can be key ways to bring more people into the digital economy and help accelerate their journey to long-term, sustainable financial health. By applying the findings from this study, innovative solutions can be designed and deployed with the potential to empower people and power economies in Brazil and beyond.

“The journey to financial security and health is non-linear and full of obstacles – the only way to accelerate this journey is by understanding the barriers and then building and deploying inclusive digital solutions,” said Mastercard’s Marcelo Tangioni, division president, Brazil. “Through this study, we have clear evidence that frequent, consistent and responsible use of digital payment tools is critical to building trust and putting people on a path towards a more sustainable financial health.”

For additional information, read the full report here.

Information about Nubank and its product and service offerings has been provided by Nubank. For more information including terms and conditions related to such products and services, as well as their privacy and data protection policies, please visit Nubank’s website.

Notes to Editors:

Survey Methodology

Survey: Boston Consulting Group (BCG) surveyed ~2,000 consumers across the Brazilian marketInterviews: Consumer interviews and focus groups, global expert interviewsCustomer Data Analysis: 3 years of aggregated and pseudonymized transaction-level data for 3.6 million anonymized customers

Media Contacts

Nubank
press@nubank.com.br

Jen Langione, Global Communications, Mastercard
+1 (917) 408-2941 | jen.langione@mastercard.com

About Nubank 
Nu was born in 2013 with the mission of fighting complexity to empower people every day, reinventing financial services. We are one of the largest digital financial services platforms in the world, serving around 94 million customers in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. In our leadership position, we use proprietary technology and innovative practices to create new financial solutions and experiences for individuals and SMBs. Everything we deliver is simple, intuitive, convenient, low-cost, empowering and human. Always guided by our mission, we are contributing to increasing financial access in Latin America. 

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

M·A·C Cosmetics is proud to announce the recipient of the 2023/24 M·A·C Cosmetics Equal Futures Scholarship for BA Fashion at globally renowned art and design institution Central Saint Martins, London.

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing equality, inclusion and justice, M·A·C Cosmetics introduces Anisa Ibrahim as the second recipient of the Scholarship. Awarded to a Black, Asian or Multi-Ethnic student, the scholarship, now in its second year, will cover maintenance and support for the three-year period of their degree.

“As a result of being a recipient of this award, I believe that this scholarship will be the stepping stone to greater success for me as a designer in the future. This is because the support this scholarship provides means that I will have the skills and attributes that the fashion industry looks for and seeks out, which to me is someone who has an innovative, authentic and extensive portfolio, something I hope to develop by the end of my BA degree.”

– Anisa Ibrahim.

The M·A·C Cosmetics Equal Futures Scholarship for BA Fashion at CSM is available to one home student from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background accepted on the first year of the BA Fashion Design course at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.

Since its inception in 1984, M·A·C has celebrated diversity and individuality and been a brand that is welcome to All Ages, All Races, All Genders. Today M·A·C remains more committed than ever to putting energy and resources to advancing equality, inclusion and justice.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the iconic VIVA GLAM campaign, M·A·C Cosmetics will be donating a staggering £1 million across its charity partners in the UK and Ireland, supporting sexual, gender, racial and environmental equality for all.

Today M·A·C VIVA GLAM is dedicated to continuing to honour the beauty in diversity by advancing racial justice, equality, diversity and inclusion.

To learn more about M·A·C commitment to equality, inclusion and justice, visit M.A.C Cosmetics website.

About M·A·C Cosmetics:

M·A·C (Make-Up Art Cosmetics) is a leading brand of professional cosmetics and part of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Since its creation in Toronto, Canada, over 30 years ago, the brand’s popularity has grown through a tradition of word-of-mouth endorsement from Makeup Artists, models, photographers and journalists around the world. M·A·C is now sold in over 130 countries/territories worldwide. Follow M·A·C on TikTok, X, Snapchat and Pinterest (@MACcosmetics); become a M·A·C fan on Facebook (facebook.com/MACcosmetics); follow M·A·C on Instagram (instagram.com/MACcosmeticsuk) and watch M·A·C videos on YouTube (youtube.com/MACcosmetics). For a M·A·C location near you, visit maccosmetics.co.uk.

About Central Saint Martins, UAL:

Across art, design, and performance the students and staff of Central Saint Martins create ideas, materials and actions for a better future. We believe that art, design and performance can generate real, productive change. Among our alumni shaping the world through creative action Kazna Asker, Grace Wales Bonner, Tolu Coker, Jesse Darling, Nicholas Daley, Kim Jones, Fernando Jorge, Anthony Joseph (Joseph & Joseph), Jean Jullien, Ib Kamara, Reiko Kaneko, Fernando Laposse, Saul Nash, Harris Reed, Zineb Sedira, Lou Stoppard.

About University of the Arts London (UAL):

UAL is Europe’s largest specialist art and design university. 1 University made up of 6 colleges, it ranked 2nd in the world for Art and Design in the QS World University Rankings 2021. Our 6 Colleges develop students at every level, from foundation to postgraduate. Tens of thousands of students take UAL qualifications every year. Together, they are the lifeblood of the creative industries and the visionaries who will shape the future.

www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/central-saint-martins