WPI hosts Worcester Public School biotech teachers to explore academic pathways

In partnership with the Worcester Public Schools (WPS) district, the STEM Education Center organized a Biotech Day at WPI for educators to learn about the biotech facilities, academic programs, and state forecasts about the biotech industry. Participants had the opportunity to tour the Biomanufacturing Education & Training Center (BETC), Bioprocess Center, and CellTech Institute and see the instrumentation available. MBI and MassBioEd gave presentations on the State of the Industry in Worcester County and the Commonwealth. 

Participants in a biotechnology lab listen to a presenter explaining equipment, with stainless steel instruments and lab components displayed during a guided tour.

Rich discussions among the Academic Biotech Ecosystem in Worcester were held with representatives from WPS, QCC, Worcester State, Clark University, UMass Medical, and WPI. Skills gained and needed across the academic pathways were shared and co-designed with the vision of connecting the academic programs to the workforce needs. The professional development for the high school educators was led by Donna Taylor of the STEM Education Center and Dave Mangus from WPS. 

Participants in a classroom listen to a presenter and work together at a whiteboard, writing and discussing notes during a group activity.

Special thanks go to the WPI members who helped support the Biotech Day: Robert Dempski, Longkuan Xiang, Floyd Brownewell, Liaohai (Leo) Chen, Caleb Buckley, Eileen Earley, Eric Young, and James Eakin.

 

People

Robert Dempski
Robert Dempski
Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Our research integrates investigating the structure and function of targeted membrane proteins with development of mixed reality tools for workforce development. We combine biochemical and biophysical techniques to investigate the structure and function of two classes of membrane [...]
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Floyd Brownewell
Floyd Brownewell
Professor of Practice, Biology & Biotechnology
I have enjoyed a blended career spanning research and development, heavy chemicals manufacturing, healthcare single use manufacturing, and academia. This experience has provided a unique interface between the theoretical and the practical. I understand the need for innovation and [...]
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Liaohai Chen
Liaohai Chen
Director, Practice Point & BETC/Affiliate Professor RBE,
Office of Vice President and Vice Provost for Research and Innovation
Liaohai Leo Chen earned his PhD in Chemistry from University of Rochester, New York in 1997.  Following the graduation, he did his postdoc training in Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), New Mexico for two years, and then became a technical staff in Los Alamos. In 2001, he mov [...]
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Eric Young
Eric Young
Associate Professor-Engineering, Chemical Engineering
From a chemical engineer's point of view, cells are treated as a catalyst that converts reactants to products. We design new catalysts, or "cell factories," to solve problems in biofuels, biomaterials, and biosensors.  Our strengths are in the disciplines of metabolic engineering [...]
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James Eakin
James Eakin
Associate Director-LEAP,
Office of Vice President and Vice Provost for Research and Innovation
James Eakin
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Donna Taylor
Donna Taylor
Associate Director, Academic Services, STEM Education Center
Donna Taylor Associate Director, Academic Services Email: dltaylor@wpi.edu Phone +1 (508) 8316278 Department : STEM Education Center [...]
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