Wentworth Under 30: Problem-solver Launches Career in Biotechnology

Wentworth Under 30: They are entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders - and they are just getting started. In this ongoing series, we highlight exceptional alumni under the age of 30 who are redefining what is possible in their fields. Representing every school at the university, these graduates prove that age is no barrier to making a global impact.

Wentworth Institute of Technology alumna Mirelys Vega considers herself a problem-solver by nature, which seemingly makes her current role a perfect fit.

Vega, who holds both a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Wentworth, is a process engineer for Amgen. The biotechnology company has built a portfolio of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases, and rare diseases.

As a process engineer at Amgen's manufacturing site in Juncos, Puerto Rico, Vega helps ensure the quality of the three drugs produced in one of the campus' 23 buildings. If something goes wrong with a drug recipe (the formulation and process required to make a product), she's one of the individuals responsible for restoring order.

"Our priority is adhering to good manufacturing practices and keeping the products safe," she said. "There's a lot of troubleshooting, and you have to resolve issues immediately. I like that aspect of the job - there's no time to joke around."

Making It Through a Difficult Transition

Vega was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Boston with her family at age 13. She attended the John D. O'Bryant School of Math & Science, located less than a mile from Wentworth.

Lacking confidence in her English-speaking skills, Vega initially struggled with the transition to the United States. Since she had played the sport in Puerto Rico, she decided to join her high school's softball team.

A teammate later introduced her to The BASE, a Roxbury-based nonprofit organization that offers softball and baseball training and competition as well as academic support, college access, and other programs.

Vega ultimately played on The BASE's softball team for four years. The organization also helped her land an engineering internship with GreenSight, where she supported the company's drone technology work.

"I had wanted to study architecture in college. But through interning at GreenSight, I realized I liked engineering more," she said. "I think it was the troubleshooting part. It kept my mind busy and made me feel more fulfilled than architecture did."

Impactful Co-ops at Wentworth

Vega decided to attend Wentworth because of the school's manageable size and friendly environment, strong co-op program, and location close to home. She commuted at first but lived on campus after her family moved to Florida before her sophomore year.

Her biomedical engineering classes helped prepare Vega for a career in biotechnology, as did her two co-ops. At Harvard University's Wyss Institute, a research and development institute focused on "biologically inspired engineering," she tested different types of medications with the goal of improving their efficacy. At Brigham and Women's Hospital, her many duties included conducting preventive maintenance on and troubleshooting medical devices and systems.

Among the influential professors from Vega's undergraduate days was Douglas Dow, Program Director, Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineering.

"As a woman in engineering, I find that a lot of people underestimate you because you're a woman," she said. "Professor Dow never did that. Right off the bat, I felt comfortable talking to him and going to him for advice."

Professor Dow ended up serving as Vega's thesis mentor during her master's program, which she began in September 2024, one month after earning her undergraduate degree.

Going Back Home at Last

Vega had long wanted to return to Puerto Rico, so she was thrilled to accept the position with Amgen in September 2025. "I like the hustle," she said.

Intrigued by the growth opportunities, Vega hopes to stay with Amgen long-term and perhaps move into a managerial role one day. For those current biomedical engineering students who might want to pursue a similar career path, she shared some advice grounded in firsthand experience.

"I know many students may not want to do an unpaid co-op, even if it would be really valuable," she said. "But that's what I did at the Wyss, and they later offered me a full-time job with great pay. I only turned it down because I wanted to leave Boston. So I'd encourage students to look beyond the pay because you never know where that opportunity could lead."

Read more in the Wentworth Under 30 series:

• Leaving the Cubicle to Build a Global Brand
• CEO Pinto is Fueling Athletes and Communities
• Navigating an Adventurous Early-Career Journey