BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING TRAINING PROGRAM

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Abstract The Biomolecular Science and Engineering Training Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is dedicated to the education of a broad and diverse pool of predoctoral students at the interface of biology, chemistry and engineering, focusing on the quantitative linkages that define this interface and prepare trainees for careers in biotechnology. The Program’s overarching objective is to provide the trainees with a keen understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of research, how it depends on fundamental underpinnings in both science and engineering, how it leads to innovative new scientific advances and technologies, and how basic science and engineering research can lead to new discoveries and commercial products that benefit society. The Training Program has been designed with key Program objectives to provide each trainee with a strong foundation in rigorous experimental design emphasizing rigor and reproducibility: to conduct ethical, responsible and productive predoctoral research with integrity and appropriate time-to-degree; to communicate and work effectively in teams with a diverse and broad pool of colleagues with multicultural sophistication; and to gain broad knowledge, professional skills and experiences for diverse careers in biomedical research. Our Training Program at RPI increases interactions among students from four departments: Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Chemistry and Chemical Biology, through courses, structured activities, research mentoring and training, and industrial experiences. Key activities of the Training Program include the following 12 Action Items: [A1] a core course entitled “Perspectives in Biomolecular Science and Engineering” that is taken by all trainees; [A2] a set of four courses that maximize didactic training among the key disciplines; [A3] a daylong technology commercialization boot camp to learn about fundamentals of intellectual property and participate in an entrepreneurial program; [A4] a high-profile seminar series that provides exposure to contemporary research in academia and industry; [A5] a student-run seminar program, in which trainees present their research to their peers and Program faculty; [A6] exposure to enrichment activities about human health, physiology, and disease, thereby promoting a healthcare innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem; [A7] an annual retreat to network externally and hold discussions on contemporary research areas and careers in biotechnology; [A8] dual advising and multidisciplinary thesis committee membership for Ph.D. thesis work; [A9] an industrial internship; [A10] international Experience; [A11] training in responsible conduct of research, scientific rigor and reproducibility; and [A12] participation in a set of activities personalized for induvial development. Program committees and a trained evaluator conduct evaluations of the training process and outcomes to ensures that the trainees satisfy these requirements and that the overall Program goal and objectives are met through continuous process improvement.