Blogs

The Workforce Expansion in Biomanufacturing Emerging Technologies (WE-BET) initiative (NIIMBL Project 2.2-152) has been working to address the challenge of expanding the workforce for producing cell-based and gene therapies. Recently, WE-BET published two documents that will helpful for colleges that are interested in offering education programs in these areas.

The first document is a labor market report for cell and gene therapy. This report addresses the demand for these technologies and the need for technicians.

The second document describes skill standards for gene therapy technicians, cell therapy technicians, technicians who work in both areas, the curriculum for training... Read more

I am pretty sure there are more podcasts out there than seconds in the day--I keep finding more that are terrific to listen to. The Micro Nano Technology Education Center (MNT-EC) Talking Technician’s podcast is about connecting people, considering a career with micro and nano industries, with people who currently work in those industries. Their interviewees originate from many different walks of life, but all share a common experience of completing their certification through community college to achieve their career goal. These podcasts are windows into real experiences and could be useful for faculty to incorporate into their curriculum, perhaps... Read more

Chemical and Engineering News is not a journal I read very often, but a recent article titled “Help wanted in biomanufacturing” definitely caught my eye. Successes within the R&D and business fronts of life sciences companies have pushed technologies to commercial-scale production facilities. But there aren’t enough technicians to operate the machines that grow the cells. It isn’t a crisis….yet.

And with some smart and timely programs, it won’t become a crisis. Programs such as companies partnering with schools to set up a local associate’s degree program in hopes of then employing “home grown” talent. The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education... Read more

I chose to listen to The Stem Cell Podcast: Episode 198 “Printing Human Tissues because it featured Dr. Anthony Atala, the Founding Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM). WFIRM is a member of InnovATEBIO and an international leader in translating scientific discovery into clinical therapies. The team is working to engineer more than 40 different replacement tissues and organs, and were the first in the world to engineer laboratory-grown organs that were successfully implanted into humans. Dr. Atala is very passionate about his work and describes how it can take decades... Read more

Old Dominion University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is pleased to announce its Summer 2022 Research Experiences for Undergraduates program for community college students interested in a career in chemistry or a related field. This REU Site is funded by the National Science Foundation. This is a unique opportunity open to community college students!

The 10-week (May 30 – Aug 5, 2022) program will give community college students the opportunity to work in a lab on a real-world research project and gain valuable skills for transfer to a 4-year major and a future STEM career or... Read more

This article was written and contributed by Nelson Solares , a student participant in the 2022 Antibody Engineering Hackathon .

This hackathon taught me that it is possible to create a community out of complete strangers and have meaningful conversations about our reality and how science influences that conversation. Read more

Episode summary : Prof. James Hewlett first tells How Undergraduate Research (UG) started at Finger Lakes Community College , the origins and structure of the Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative ( CCURI) , How they help other Community Colleges start UG Research and finally, advice to students & faculty.

Podcast Guest: Professor Jim Hewlett , is the Executive Director of Community College UG Research Initiative ( CCURI ), Director of BioTechnology and BioManufacturing at Finger Lakes Community College, New York , and Co-PI of InnovATE... Read more

John Tyler Community College, (becoming Brightpoint Community College by July 2022) is a two-year public institution of higher education and one of the largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian in the metropolitan Richmond area and at off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler Community College, becoming Brightpoint provides quality educational opportunities that inspire student success and community vitality. The College’s vision is a success story for every student.

The 12-month program director and faculty member for pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing will develop, manage, and teach open-enrollment credit and... Read more

Biotech Nation!

The InnovATE BIO Summer Series is planning a comeback*! Help us decide how to help you: in person, virtual, synchronous, asynchronous?

Please help us focus our planning on your interests and needs by completing this short survey: https://forms.gle/cF1hHfF9VMrP1LBd9

Stay safe and may all of your transformation efficiencies remain high this Spring!!!!

Jennifer Lazare , InnovATE BIO HS Pathways

*If you did not complete the Canvas Virtual Biotech Course and would like access to a plethora of resources, please use the link... Read more

The Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) is led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF). It is a fun and exciting national competition where community college student teams, working with a faculty or administrator mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; participate in an Innovation Boot Camp; and compete for cash awards.

Planning is underway for an IN-PERSON Innovation Boot Camp in the Washington D.C. area on June 13-16, 2022 and full travel support will be provided for the finalist... Read more