UF helps students pursue biotech careers

October 7, 2008

Biology and chemistry are interesting disciplines, yet many high school students are unaware of the potential they have in making an impact on the discovery and development of new medicines, and the many career possibilities.

The availability of high school and college curricula that contain topics such as drug manufacturing, quality control and assurance, and regulatory affairs would undoubtedly help interest students in high-paying and rewarding careers making important medical discoveries and advancements.

UF’s Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology (CERHB), funded by the National Science Foundation, is working to accomplish this by partnering with 43 educational entities, including the school boards of Alachua, Marion and Palm Beach counties, Santa Fe College, UF’s Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (CPET), and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering. The resulting rigorous high school program currently offers courses in Alachua, Marion, St. Johns, Brevard and Seminole counties.

As a result, Florida has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) as being at the forefront of modern biotechnology education.

A new grant from U.S. DOE will expand this innovative opportunity to more students over the next two years. Working with the Florida DOE, CERHB and its partners, CPET and Banner Center for Secondary Career Academies, will develop and promote its program and accompanying articulation into colleges and universities statewide, encouraging pursuit of high-growth and high-demand biotechnology and biomedical research jobs.

With increased emphasis on translational research (research that transforms basic science discoveries into new medicines) by the National Institute of Health, the new programs position UF to compete more effectively for federal biomedical research grants. In addition, the State of Florida has invested nearly $1 billion to expand the biotechnology industry. CERHB’s programs will provide a trained workforce to support this industry — keeping talent and jobs in the state, and ensuring a strong economic future.

Richard O. Snyder
Director, CERHB