October 26, 2022
NIIMBL Pilots Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Program for North Carolina High School Students
N NIIMBL bioLOGIC, a pilot programme designed to raise awareness and interest in biopharmaceutical manufacturing careers, has been launched by the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL). NIIMBL has collaborated with the North Carolina Biotechnology Centre on the project, and Southern High School of Energy and Sustainability has been chosen to pilot the 5-week programme in which students will not only learn and innovate, but also imagine themselves working in the industry.
"Finding new opportunities to close the awareness gap and spark interest in biopharmaceutical manufacturing careers early in students' academic years is a pathway that has shown much success across industries, and we are no exception," John Balchunas says in reference to the NIIMBL Workforce Development Director.
"We want students from all communities to see themselves in an industry that is rapidly expanding, lucrative, and crucial to the health of people around the world," says Balchunas in further explanation.
…it is crucial that students in this community are aware of the types of careers available in this field and the educational requirements for entry. It is crucial for them to see people who resemble them in order to boost their confidence…
Durham's Southern High School of Energy and Sustainability was chosen for the pilot because it enrols 95% of minorities and the area has seen rapid growth in recent years.
The programme will be implemented at Southern High School of Energy and Sustainability, giving Black and Latinx high school students access to the local biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
"It is crucial that students in this community are aware of the types of careers available in this field and the educational requirements for entry. It is crucial for them to see people who resemble them in order to boost their confidence," says Southern High School health science teacher Jaquela Hill.
Speaking to the media, Logan Modlin, Coordinator of the NIIMBL bioLOGIC Program, adds, "More than 1,500 jobs in biopharma manufacturing have been announced by companies like Lilly, Merck, and AveXis in Durham just in the last year. It is crucial to make sure local students are aware of the opportunities and ready to join this incredible community as manufacturing career prospects in the area continue to grow."
As part of a $5 million funding grant from the Office of Naval Research, NIIMBL bioLOGIC was developed in collaboration with NextFlex (ONR). The goal of the grant is to create new educational initiatives based on NextFlex's celebrated FlexFactor® project-based learning programme. After a fruitful pilot launch and expansion in North Carolina, NIIMBL anticipates implementing the programme in additional regional ecosystems across the country.
Posted in News and tagged News, NIIMBL bioLOGIC, Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Program, North Carolina Biotechnology Centre, Southern High School of Energy and Sustainability, NextFlex
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