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Students explore opportunities during the NIIMBL eXperience at BTEC

Published June 10, 2024

A special group of 14 university students from across the state and country participated in the NIIMBL eXperience at BTEC June 2–8. A program funded by the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), the NIIMBL eXperience introduces Black, Latinx, and Indigenous college students to educational and career opportunities in biomanufacturing. NC State is one of only five educational institutions across the country to host a NIIMBL eXperience program this summer.

The NIIMBL eXperience at NC State, which was led by BTEC, engaged students in a variety of career exploration, mentorship, networking and teambuilding experiences as well as biomanufacturing lectures and lab activities. In addition, students visited several biopharmaceutical firms, including FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Pfizer and Merck. Students also had the opportunity to attend the NC Biotech Career Symposium hosted by Humacyte at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center on June 5.

Participants, who were selected for the program through an application process, are currently students at several North Carolina colleges and universities including Fayetteville State University, Johnston Community College, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Wake Technical Community College. Students from institutions in Florida, Maryland, New York, Virginia and Puerto Rico also participated in the program. All students were provided with housing, meals and transportation and received a stipend upon completion of the program.