The NIIMBL Summer 2024 eXperience is an exclusive in-person, all expenses paid immersion program that offers college students real-world insight into biopharmaceutical industry careers through hands-on activities and direct interactions with industry professionals. The program focuses on African American/Black, Latine, and Native American students completing their freshman or sophomore year of college. It is open to students enrolled in any STEM-based major living in the United States. All travel costs are covered by NIIMBL eXperience hosts and include a $1000 stipend.
The NIIMBL eXperience at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) from June 2-8, 2024, is designed to tell the story of biopharmaceuticals from discovery to patient delivery to a cohort of diverse students. Students will explore the discovery, biomanufacturing and delivery of therapies including antibody, cell, gene, and mRNA technologies; learn via hands-on activities in fermentation, nanoparticle formation and flow cytometry; and discuss and view RNA computer simulations while touring a COVID-testing laboratory. In addition, participants will tour three local small businesses that highlight innovation and entrepreneurship in the biopharma industry.
As the week progresses, students will visit development and manufacturing sites to witness scale-up and cGMP processes and discuss the complex process of manufacturing lipids for vaccines and therapies as well as state-of-the-art synthetic platforms for antibody drug-conjugates, cell-based therapies for regenerative medicine and medical devices for drug delivery. Participants will compound a drug to make an infusion bag, deliver immunizations and patient counseling.
In addition, ACPHS will host peer and professional networking events with diversity discussion panels. Students will have an opportunity to build individualized branding plans and participate in a 360-degree feedback session to help identify career pathways utilizing the network of resources discovered during this NIIMBL eXperience. By convening ACPHS’ regional strengths and bringing together current biopharma students and industry professionals, participants engage in a career support network that ensures continued mentoring and success.
To learn more about the program, check out the NIIMBL website here. If you’re ready to apply, you can find the application requirements and application here. Make sure to get your applications in by 5pm (EST) on March 1!
