Summer can be a quiet time on campus. But that was not the case at ACPHS this year.
In June, the Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) hosted the NIIMBL eXperience, a program of the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals. The eXperience program is an exclusive in-person, all-expenses-paid immersion program that offers underrepresented minority students’ real-world insight into biopharmaceutical industry careers through hands-on activities and direct interactions with industry professionals.
“By convening regional biopharmaceutical strengths and connecting them to current biopharma students, participants engage in a career support network that ensures continued mentoring and success,” executive director of CBET Dr. Michelle Lewis said. “This program provides an excellent opportunity for diverse students to find pathways into this emerging career field.”
Throughout the five-day program, the 18 undergraduate students had the opportunity to visit the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, the University at Albany’s RNA Institute, Biomed Innova, Next Advance, the Regenerative Research Foundation and Neural Stem Cell Institute, Curia, Takeda, Amgen and Cytiva. They also worked in the College's Pharmacy Practice Skills Laboratory, Compounding Laboratory and at CBET, and heard from the National Society of Black Engineers.
Then in July and August, two new programs brought local middle and high school students to ACPHS for engaging and interactive summer camps. The Office of Admissions hosted its first summer enrichment program in July, a three-day experience for eighth through 12th graders to get an idea what it’s like to be an ACPHS student. The 18 attendees, all from local schools, participated in activities ranging from a microbe hunt to digital anatomy and dissection with faculty and students.
CBET hosted its “Making of Medicine” camp in August. The free, week-long camp helped local middle school students practice lab skills and follow the development of medicine at the Life Science and Innovation Building.
“My daughter really loved the opportunity, and she learned a lot,” said the parent of an attendee. “She really enjoyed making elephant toothpaste, had a lot of fun in the DNA segment, and liked the part where they went to a lab. She's looking forward to next year!”