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Industry, Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship

In 2012, NIH’s Biomedical Research Workforce Working Group noted that individuals employed by industry make up about 30% of the biomedical workforce. In that light, it is critically important to provide trainees with the skills that will equip them for careers in this area, including training in biomanufacturing and entrepreneurship. The Industry, Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship Pathway holds three tracks that provide foundational skills and experiences for trainees interested in these career paths, and will be directed by Dr. Paul Dunman, Associate Professor of Microbiology & Immunology. Dr. Dunman’s research focuses on antimicrobial drug discovery, and he recently introduced the very popular Drug Discovery course, which brings experts from pharma to the UR to speak with graduate students in an intimate, seminar setting. Prior to joining UR, Dr. Dunman spent 6 years as a researcher for the pharmaceutical company, Wyeth (now part of Pfizer).

Discuss ideas you have about gaining experience in Industry, Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship with Dr. Paul Dunman

Industry Track

Most academic faculty have not worked in industry, with the result that trainees often receive little guidance or instruction related to careers in this sector. This track will offer trainees foundational training in management and leadership through the Spring IND 494 Leadership and Management for Scientists or the Online AAAS Career Development Portal. Trainees will obtain formal instruction and networking opportunities through the Spring MBI 403 Drug Discovery Course or Fall PM 488 Experimental Therapeutics. Internship experiences are also possible for the most engaged URBEST trainees, with these opportunities demystifying careers in the biotech sector and providing skills that will make such careers attainable. Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Entasis Therapeutics, Genentech, Astrazeneca, and Pfizer Vaccines are a few examples of the places our trainees have interned.

(Bio)Manufacturing Track

The manufacture of biological products is a critically important process in the biotech industry, and is characterized by tightly defined timelines and deliverables, as well as rigidly specified quality control and quality assurance measures. This process is deeply unfamiliar to most university scientists and their trainees, who are used to conducting discovery research that often requires empirical “tinkering” with methodologies to yield desired results. This track will offer trainees foundational training in management and leadership through the Spring IND 494 Leadership and Management for Scientists or the Online AAAS Career Development Portal. Trainees will obtain formal instruction and networking opportunities through the Fall MBI 406 Biomanufacturing Course. Internship experiences are also possible for the most engaged URBEST trainees, with these opportunities demystifying careers in biomanufacturing and providing skills that will make such careers attainable. URBEST trainees have previously interned with Luisa Caetano-Davies, Principal Scientist and Facility Manager at the Upstate Stem Cell cGMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) Facility, which is a fully validated facility at UR designed for the manufacturing of therapy products for clinical trials. Another Biomanufacturing opportunity is with The Golden Leaf Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center at North Carolina State University.

Entrepreneurship Track

Trainees in biomedical research typically have very limited understanding of business or entrepreneurship, which significantly restricts their career choices and may impede success in the commercial sector. This Track will seek to remedy this deficit by providing access to courses and experiential opportunities that will deliver an understanding of entrepreneurship from multiple points of view, including start-up ventures, mature small businesses and large corporations. This track will offer trainees foundational training in management and leadership through the Spring IND 494 Leadership and Management for Scientists or the Online AAAS Career Development Portal. Trainees will obtain formal instruction and networking opportunities through the Fall TEM 440 Screening Technical Opportunities or Spring TEM 411 General Management of New Ventures. Internship experiences are also possible for the most engaged URBEST trainees, with these opportunities demystifying careers in start-ups, technology commercialization, venture capital firms and consulting. UR Ventures, Excell Partners, MedTech, CBEThink, and NextCorp are a few examples of the places our URBEST students have trained or interned.