Who trains the trainers? At Luminex, the answer is Audrey Escalante, Lead Technical Applications Trainer. A recent transplant to Austin, she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Illinois State University and her masters of curriculum and instruction at the American College of Education. She joined Luminex in 2015.
Q: What are your responsibilities at Luminex?
A: Our department is responsible for creating and delivering the content to train internal people on our products and systems. The two main groups we train are tech support and the molecular applications specialist/field applications specialist teams, though a few times a year we handle some external training for customers. We want to give these groups a really good training experience so they can not only learn the products but also use that knowledge to support our customers the best ways possible.
Q: How did you wind up in Austin?
A: I had been a high school science teacher in Chicago, teaching chemistry, biology, and physics. But winters were so terrible, and I had gotten disillusioned with the education system. I remembered falling in love with Austin during a visit when I was about 15, so I packed up my car and decided I would figure the rest out when I got down here.
Q: What drew you to Luminex?
A: I had gotten a sales job when I reached Austin, but I missed being in the world of science. When I read the description for this position, it seemed like my dream job. It would let me be on the cutting edge of research, and also had the teaching and training elements. As I learned more about the Luminex technology, I thought it was really cool. The position here really gave me direction on where I wanted to take my career. I love the idea of developing training programs that are not boring, that hit the mark for what employees need.
Q: If you could solve any clinical or genetic challenge, what would it be?
Any type of disease that affects children is just absolutely horrific, so I would want to eradicate that. It’s just so unfair. Children deserve to run and play outside and be happy, not be stuck in hospitals.
Q: What is something about you that no one at Luminex knows?
A: After college, I backpacked through Europe for six weeks. It gave me a different perspective on everything.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Austin on the weekend?
A: Taking my dog for a hike, or going stand-up paddleboarding with my husband. I’m addicted to paddleboarding!
