Cellular Engineering Biotechnology Training Program

 描述(申请人提供)：马萨诸塞大学阿默斯特分校(UMA)的科学家和工程师正在使用细胞工程中最先进的工具和方法来应对生物技术对人类健康的关键挑战，包括从细胞培养生产抗癌药物，将哺乳动物细胞转化为器官替代的有用组织，以及设计新的蛋白质作为高级疗法。乌玛在生物技术方面有着雄厚的历史，创建了细胞工程研究所(ICE)，作为支持和开发新的研究和培训计划的平台。鉴于ICE培训计划的成功记录，地理位置靠近波士顿领先的生物技术中心，以及为发展产学合作提供强有力的机构支持，UMA处于开发有影响力的生物技术培训计划(BTP)的理想地位。BTP的目标是：1)创建学术和社会基础设施，以促进新的和加强 2)通过新的讲座和实验室课程，使学生了解定量生物技术的基础知识；3)通过量身定制的工业实习和与工业人员的定期互动，培养学生认识生物技术的商业影响；4)为学生提供改善跨学科交流、扩大职业机会和提高专业技能的机会；以及5)增加从事生物技术职业的学生数量，特别是来自URM团体的学生。BTP将招收五个专业(化学工程、化学、聚合物科学与工程、兽医与动物科学、分子与细胞生物学)的博士前研究生。我们要求六个实习生名额(与UMA提供的两个名额相匹配)。实习生将被授予第二年和第三年的学习机会，我们将为非资助学生提供副会员资格，以扩大该计划的影响。学生将在两年内完成规定的课程，并获得细胞工程研究生证书。创新活动包括由业界人士授课并由业界人士共同讲授的生物技术核心课程；仿照专业行业工作坊设计的生物技术相关方法和技术专业实验室模块；由学生举办的生物技术期刊俱乐部，以打破学科上的障碍，在一个不具威胁性的环境中教授生物技术专业知识；新设计的生物统计学和统计计算课程，以促进所有学员的数学流利程度；与STEM多样性研究所合作，确保学生拥有多样化的学生群体；一年一度的生物技术研讨会，让学生在其中阐述他们的想法并听取行业专家的反馈；以及有针对性地与新的UMA研究生院专业发展办公室建立合作伙伴关系，为我们的学生提供职业探索和规划。我们招募了许多行业合作伙伴来支持我们计划的一个标志，即所有实习生都将参加的正式实习。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Scientists and engineers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMA) are using state-of-the-art tools and approaches in cellular engineering to address key challenges in biotechnology for human health, including production of anti-cancer drugs from cell cultures, transformation of mammalian cells into useful tissues for organ replacement, and design of novel proteins to serve as advanced therapies. UMA has a history of strength in biotechnology, founding the Institute for Cellular Engineering (ICE) as a platform to sustain and develop novel research and training programs. Given the successful track record of ICE training programs, geographic proximity to a leading biotech hub in Boston, and strong institutional support for development of industry-academic collaborations, UMA is ideally positioned to develop an impactful Biotechnology Training Program (BTP). BTP objectives are to: 1) create a scholarly and social infrastructure to facilitate new and strengthen existing interdisciplinary networks at UMA, particularly those at the interface of engineering and the life sciences; 2) educate students in the fundamentals of quantitative biotechnology through new lecture and laboratory courses; 3) train students to appreciate the impact of biotechnology commercially through a tailored industrial internship and regular interactions with industrial personnel; 4) provide students with opportunities to improve interdisciplinary communication, expand career opportunities, and sharpen professional skills; and 5) increase the number of students, particularly those from URM groups, who pursue careers in biotechnology. This BTP will recruit matriculated predoctoral students from five programs (Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science & Engineering, Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Molecular and Cellular Biology). We request six Trainee slots (matched with two slots from UMA). Traineeships will be awarded to students in their 2nd and 3rd years of study, and we will offer an Associate membership for non-funded students to broaden the impact of the program. Students will complete a prescribed curriculum over two years and obtain a graduate certificate in Cellular Engineering. Innovative features include the Biotechnology Core Course that is informed by and co-taught by industry personnel; specialized Laboratory Modules in biotechnology-relevant approaches and techniques modeled after professional industry workshops; student-run Biotechnology Journal Club to break down discipline barriers in a non-threatening atmosphere; a newly designed course in Biostatistics and Statistical Computing to promote math fluency for all Trainees; collaboration with the STEM Diversity Institute to ensure a diverse student population; an annual Symposium on Biotechnology that offers a unique "Speed Dating" experience where students pitch their ideas and receive feedback from industry experts; and targeted partnering with the new UMA Graduate School Office of Professional Development to provide career exploration and planning for our students. We have recruited numerous industrial partners to support a hallmark of our program, a formal internship in which all Trainees will participate.