Beginnings: Addressing the Talent and Diversity Gap in Biotechnology Workforce

解决生物技术劳动力的人才和多样性差距(ASSET)项目旨在通过为路易斯安那州的大学生提供高影响力的本科生研究、实习和队列模式的体验式教育体验，来填补生物技术劳动力中的人才和多样性问题。路易斯安那大学拉斐特分校和路易斯安那大学拉斐特分校认识到，不同人口群体之间的学位获得差距会影响未来的新兴技术劳动力，因此，路易斯安那大学拉斐特分校和路易斯安那大学系统寻求利用现有UL刘易斯学者计划的成功，解决生物技术行业的人才和多样性差距。ASSET项目将在刘易斯学者项目的基础上，通过将以STEM为重点的研究和实习经验引入现有项目，帮助参与者为成为生物技术行业的下一代劳动力做好准备，并扩大该项目的组成部分。路易斯安那大学将与行业合作伙伴合作，教授工作场所和生物技术工作相关技能，为进入生物技术行业开辟道路。ASSET计划旨在通过与学术机构、研究组织和社区组织的外联、指导、合作和伙伴关系，解决障碍并促进对代表不足的学生的STEM教育。在夏季，18名刘易斯奖学金获得者将参加本科生研究体验和生物技术行业合作伙伴实习的体验活动。在整个学年中，UL系统教师、行业合作伙伴(如领先的信息技术和商业咨询服务公司CGI)和行业研究人员将与参与者互动，培养生物技术技能，让学者熟悉生物技术行业文化，并通过网络机会创造职业道路。该项目将评估领导团队与商业和公司合作伙伴之间的工作关系。该项目还将评估参与者在生物技术技能、对生物技术职业的兴趣和计划方面的收获。该项目与由NSF TIP和EDU董事资助的NSF ExLENT计划保持一致，因为它寻求支持来自不同专业和教育背景的个人的体验式学习机会，以增加他们对新兴技术领域的兴趣和获得职业道路的机会。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The AddreSSing the TalEnt and DiversiTy Gap in Biotechnology Workforce (ASSET) project aims to fill the talent and diversity issues in the biotechnology workforce by providing high-impact experiential education experiences of undergraduate research, internships, and a cohort model to college students in Louisiana. Recognizing that the degree attainment disparities among different demographic groups impact the future emerging technology workforce, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Louisiana System, seek to leverage the success of the existing UL Lewis Scholars Program to address the talent and diversity gap in the biotechnology industry. Project ASSET will build on and expand the components of the Lewis Scholars program by bringing STEM-focused research and internship experiences to the existing program to help prepare participants to become the next-generation workforce for the biotechnology industry. The University of Louisiana will collaborate with industry partners to teach workplace and biotechnology job-related skills to create pathways into the biotechnology industry. The ASSET program aims to address barriers and promote STEM education for underrepresented students through outreach, mentorship, collaboration, and partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and community organizations. In the summers, 18 Lewis Scholars will participate in the experiential activities of undergraduate research experience and internships at biotechnology industry partners. Throughout the academic year, UL System faculty, industry partners (such as CGI, a leading information technology and business consulting services firm), and industry researchers will interact with the participants to build biotechnology skills, to familiarize Scholars with biotechnology industry culture, and to create career pathways via networking opportunities. The project will evaluate the working relationship between the leadership team and the business and corporate partners. The project will also assess participants’ gains in biotechnology skills, interest in, and plans for biotechnology careers. This project aligns with the NSF ExLENT Program, funded by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, as it seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals from diverse professional and educational backgrounds to increase their interest in, and their access to, career pathways in emerging technology fields.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.