PROVIDENCE – Celebrating the 15th year of its biotechnology manufacturing program, the University of Rhode Island looks back on the progress made by the initiative toward the state’s industry and the workforce it has helped build.
According to the school’s data, more than 250 students have trained for careers in biotechnology through the program, which is located on the school’s Providence campus.
Edward Bozzi, an Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies professor, directs the program and said interest has increased dramatically through the years, with class sizes more than doubling from eight students to 20 or more.
In a statement, he said: “Initially it was developed as a program for nontraditional students – those seeking to change careers or re-enter the workforce. … Now, half of our students are traditional students coming straight from high school, where many of them have already had an introduction to biotechnology.”
Bozzi noted the number of students with military backgrounds have also increased. “In this year’s class, all four branches of the military are represented,” he said.
The program is so effective, half of the students enrolled in the compulsory internship program are offered part-time work at their internship companies by the end of the temporary position. Companies that have previously hosted program interns include Neurotech, Agcore Technologies, Kineteks, ProThera Biologics, Vitae Industries, Labonachip, EpiVax and InCytu.
A 2014 graduate, Marilyn Le went on to earn a master’s degree in pharmacology from Brown University and now works for KaryoPharm Therapeutics in Newton, Mass., where she manages vendors that conduct the clinical trials for a KaryoPharm Therapeutics cancer drug.
“I can use that biotech degree and go wherever I want to go with it,” said Le. “It’s a very versatile degree. I could go into science, med school, pharmacy, wherever.”
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
