NIIMBL eXperience Program Provides Students Glimpse into the Biopharmaceutical Field
The Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will host a cohort of 11 undergraduates to provide them with a view into the world of biotherapeutics. The NIIMBL eXperience, scheduled for June 2-8, 2024, is designed to tell the story of biopharmaceuticals from discovery to patient delivery to a cohort of diverse students.
This year’s cohort includes students from a variety of colleges and universities includes:
- Tomisin Adebari, Morgan State University
- Aniyah Allen, University at Albany
- Ezekiel Ekanem, Vassar College
- Katrina Hampton, University at Albany
- Emily Louie, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Zoe Migioni, Johnson C. Smith University
- Joy Mwangangye, Massbay Community College
- Pristine Onuoha, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Arreyelle Wilson, Morgan State University
- Kai Young, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Grace Zhao, Brooklyn College
Dancan Oruko ’26, an ACPHS student, participated in CBET’s first NIIMBL eXperience in 2023. Oruko said of the experience, “It was a very in-depth exploration from the R&D of a drug all the way to someone now being able to consume the drug.”
The NIIMBL eXperience at CBET
Get a glimpse into The NIIMBL Experience at ACPHS (youtube.com)
The College’s Stack Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) in conjunction with Biomed Innova, Curia Global, Cytiva, Next Advance Inc., Neural Stem Cell Institute (NSCI), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Takeda, and University at Albany College of Nanotechnology, Science & Engineering and The RNA Institute, will host an array of programming designed to illustrate the broad spectrum of career paths available within the biopharma industry.
During this weeklong session, the students will:
- Explore the discovery, biomanufacturing and delivery of therapies including antibody, cell, gene, and mRNA technologies
- Learn via hands-on activities in fermentation, nanoparticle formation and flow cytometry
- Discuss and view RNA computer simulations while touring a COVID-testing laboratory
- Tour three local small businesses that highlight innovation and entrepreneurship in the biopharma industry
As the week progresses, students will visit development and manufacturing sites to witness scale-up and cGMP processes and discuss the complex process of manufacturing lipids for vaccines and therapies as well as state-of-the-art synthetic platforms for antibody drug-conjugates, cell-based therapies for regenerative medicine and medical devices for drug delivery. Participants will compound a drug to make an infusion bag, deliver immunizations and patient counseling.
In addition, ACPHS will host peer and professional networking events with diversity discussion panels. Students will have an opportunity to build individualized branding plans and participate in a 360-degree feedback session to help identify career pathways utilizing the network of resources discovered during this NIIMBL eXperience.
“By convening ACPHS’ regional strengths and bringing together current biopharma students and industry professionals, participants engage in a career support network that ensures continued mentoring and success,” said Michelle Lewis, executive director, CBET. “This program provides an excellent opportunity for diverse students to find pathways into this emerging career field.”
NIIMBL is a public-private partnership with the goal of advancing innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. NIIMBL is part of Manufacturing USA®, a network of 17 manufacturing institutes across the country that brings together industry, academia, and the public sector to propel promising research and technology developments, accelerate new products to market, and train tomorrow’s workforce in order to secure America’s future. NIIMBL is funded through a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S. Department of Commerce, and leverages additional support from industry, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and several state governments. The NIIMBL mission is to accelerate biopharmaceutical innovation, support the development of standards that enable more efficient and rapid manufacturing capabilities, and educate and train a world-leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce, fundamentally advancing U.S. competitiveness in this industry.
This work is performed under financial assistance award #70NANB21H086 from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology.
About CBET
Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) is ACPHS’ response to the rapidly growing biopharmaceutical field and the need for an educated workforce, which has been cited as one of the critical constraints to growth of the biopharmaceutical industry. The Center will provide students with the knowledge and hands-on experience to bring innovative biopharmaceuticals to patients. CBET is the first training facility in the nation to be created by a pharmacy college. For more information, visit https://cbet.acphs.edu/.
About Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Founded in 1881, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) is a private, independent college dedicated to educating the next generation of leaders to improve the health of society. ACPHS offers 17 undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs including online Master of Biomedical Sciences and Master of Biotechnology programs. Students have myriad opportunities to extend what they are learning in the classroom at The Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET), at student-supported pharmacies in underserved communities, and at The Collaboratory, a public health resource designed to alleviate community health disparities in Albany’s South End neighborhood. ACPHS ranks #1 in New York State for best return on investment by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce and was graded an A+ for value by Niche.