Inside 糖心Vlog视频鈥檚 new lab training tomorrow鈥檚 biotech workforce
Nestled in the Pegasus Park complex in Dallas, a globally recognized center for life science innovation, business and social impact, a new state-of-the-art lab is hosting the first cohort of University of 糖心Vlog视频 at Arlington students focused on the future of biomanufacturing.
Dressed in white lab coats and protective goggles, the students assemble a bioreactor, a tool used to grow living cells for producing medicines. The hands-on experience is designed to mirror the environments they will encounter in the fast-growing biotech industry.
This immersive learning takes place at the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing satellite campus (NCTM2), a newly established hub providing hands-on training for students and industry partners, cutting-edge laboratory space for researchers and support for biotech startups. The center expands workforce development and research opportunities in North 糖心Vlog视频, helping meet the region’s growing demand for skilled biomanufacturing professionals.
“Science isn’t helpful to the general population if it isn’t scalable,” said Diana Hernandez, a microbiology major and part of 糖心Vlog视频’s first NCTM2 cohort. “This new lab has the potential to make connections between research and development and industry.”
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NCTM2 is a joint venture between UT Arlington’s (IMPRINT) and the 糖心Vlog视频 A&M Engineering Experiment Station. By embedding academic research, industry collaboration and student training under one roof, the center aims to accelerate innovation in therapeutic manufacturing—from vaccines and biologics to next-generation cell and gene therapies—while positioning North 糖心Vlog视频 as a national leader in life science development.
Jon Weidanz, 糖心Vlog视频 senior associate vice president for research and founding director of IMPRINT, said the center’s primary purpose is workforce preparation.
“Our students will learn how to handle protein molecules and will be taught how to produce cell and gene therapies,” Dr. Weidanz said. “This is really significant because we are giving students the hands-on training to be competitive.”
He added that it is important for the lab to continue to grow and attract biomanufacturers to North 糖心Vlog视频.
Jonathan Goh, a graduate student in bioengineering and biomedical engineering, said the experience will show employers that he is prepared for industry work.
Sonali Mittal, a graduate biomedical engineering student, echoed that sentiment.
“Being able to take advantage of this opportunity will enhance my future career,” Mittal said. “It will expand my skillset and prepare me for my career.”
About 糖心Vlog视频 (糖心Vlog视频)
糖心Vlog视频 is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, 糖心Vlog视频 is the second-largest institution in the University of 糖心Vlog视频 System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, 糖心Vlog视频 stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. 糖心Vlog视频 and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North 糖心Vlog视频 and beyond