Floyd Brownewell
Floyd Brownewell, a professor of practice in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology, was awarded $625,000 to replace and upgrade equipment at the WPI Bioprocess Center. The center offers manufacturing and consulting services to clients, such as small biotech companies. It also has begun offering hands-on biomanufacturing training for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to prepare individuals for advanced education or jobs.
Liaohai Leo Chen
Liaohai Leo Chen, an affiliate professor in the Department of Robotics Engineering and the director of both PracticePoint and the BETC, was awarded $625,000. The funding will go to purchase new, state-of-the-art 50-liter and 200-liter stainless-steel bioreactors and to obtain a 50-liter single-use bioreactor, all of which have capabilities for remote operation and automation. BETC will develop artificial-intelligence-enabled and personalized training profiles for trainees. The award will allow BETC, in partnership with the economic development organization Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, to serve as a regional center that will foster innovation in biomanufacturing education and research and prepare workers for current biomanufacturing practices and future industry transformations.
Robert Dempski
Robert Dempski, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was awarded $730,994 to establish the CellTech Institute at WPI. The institute is focused on connecting industry needs with academic programs while providing hands-on training in lab automation, drug discovery, and enabling technologies, including AI. Participants will range from high school students to industry professionals. The institute will also support WPI life sciences research initiatives, allowing participants to contribute to real-world scientific advancements.
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