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NIIMBL eXperience

The NIIMBL eXperience is an exclusive in-person, all expenses paid immersion program that offers students real-world insight into biopharmaceutical industry careers through hands-on activities and direct interactions with industry professionals.

Key program goals:

  • Increase access to the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry among traditionally underrepresented populations, including Black, Latinx, and Native American students
  • Broaden the talent pipelines by connecting industry to talented STEM students
  • Offer exposure to the biopharma manufacturing ecosystem

Click here to download the 2024 NIIMBL eXperience flyer.

Benefits for students:

  • Engage with leading biopharmaceutical industry companies and organizations
  • Tour facilities and participate in a hands-on introduction to state-of-the-art equipment
  • Learn the role/resources of stakeholders critical to bringing treatments to patients
  • Engage in diversity discussions/panels
  • Receive professional development opportunities (e.g., resume writing, networking, personal branding)

The program is open to students enrolled in any STEM-based major living in the United States and completing their freshman or sophomore year of college or community college.

Key impacts

80 students from 69 academic institutions in first 5 years

59 host organizations

5 regional teams selected for 2024

Current NIIMBL eXperience host locations

Logo for the NIIMBL eXperience at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS)

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.

The College’s Stack Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) in conjunction with Biomed InnovaCuria GlobalCytivaNext Advance Inc.Neural Stem Cell Institute (NSCI)Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Takeda, and University at Albany College of Nanotechnology, Science & Engineering and The RNA Institutewill host an array of programming designed to illustrate the broad spectrum of career paths available within the biopharma industry.

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. 

Logo for the NIIMBL eXperience at North Carolina State University

The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) at NC State University is excited to offer a unique biopharmaceutical manufacturing experience through the NIIMBL eXperience @ NC State from June 3rd-7th. The primary goal of this program is to make talent of diverse backgrounds aware of the biomanufacturing educational and workforce opportunities available in and around the Research Triangle Park of North Carolina. 

The technical theme throughout the week will focus on current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) biopharmaceutical manufacturing, specifically upstream and downstream unit operations. Students will take part in in-depth lab exercises focused on growing bacteria in fermenters for recombinant protein expression and the subsequent separation and purification processes common in downstream processing.

The professional theme will address student career development and academic pathways while supporting a long-term outlook for diversity in the STEM workforce. Students will engage in networking and professional development opportunities with biopharmaceutical giants such as Merck, Pfizer, and Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies. Students will further enhance their marketability through tailored resume and LinkedIn activities. Additionally, reflection sessions with mentors and one-on-one meetings with career counselors will help guide students to finding the right fit for an exciting career in biomanufacturing.

Logo for the Mid-Atlantic NIIMBL eXperience at Thomas Jefferson University

The 2024 Mid-Atlantic NIIMBL eXperience will be hosted by Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) at the Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing (JIB) in Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania from June 3 – 7, 2024, and will provide students with an unparalleled opportunity to explore careers within the fields of engineering, science, and biopharmaceutical production.

The experience has been designed to provide students with valuable hands-on learning and career exploration within JIB’s pilot plant training facility dedicated to next generation single-use technologies and several exciting treatment modalities (proteins, mABs. mRNA-vaccines and Cell / Gene Therapies). The week-long experience will also provide students the opportunity to connect with industry professionals through site visits to Merck, Janssen, Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), a networking event with the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) and small group discussions / panels designed to address professional growth and the journey towards a prosperous career.

Through this experience, participants will gain a firm understanding of the importance of this industry within the Mid-Atlantic region, the nation, and the world, while also creating the vision and path towards a related career. To further support the pathway and individual professional growth, social media branding, resume building and career counseling sessions will also be provided.

Logo for the NIIMBL eXperience at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University (SCU) is excited to host a one-week experiential program designed to inspire and support college students from underrepresented communities in biotechnology. Participants will build data analytics skills, visit leading corporate labs and production facilities, network with professionals, and hear from experts about the grand challenges and opportunities in biopharmaceutical manufacturing as the industry scales a new generation of breakthrough therapies. The program will take place starting on Sunday, June 23, 2024 through Saturday, June 29, 2024 and will be housed on SCU campus in Santa Clara, California.

In partnership with Biocom Institute (Biocom California’s education and workforce training arm), Genentech, Inc. (biopharma manufacturer), Cepheid, Inc. (next-generation diagnostics), and Agilent, Inc. (advanced instrumentation and analytical tools), the program will provide the participants insights into the breadth of career paths, critical skills, and professional roles that intersect with the biopharmaceutical “factory of the future” and how that future will transform patient lives and make a compelling societal impact. Through a series of industry visits, technical sessions, panels, professional mentoring, and connections to internship pipelines, the program is designed to help students from a variety of disciplines including biology, bioengineering, computer engineering, and life sciences accelerate and activate their careers.

ogo for the NIIMBL eXperience at Houston University

The University of Houston – a Tier One, minority serving institution – is thrilled to welcome regional college students to NIIMBL eXperience, a one-week learning program designed to expose students to promising careers in biomanufacturing and motivating them to pursue degrees in biotechnology and related sciences. Greater Houston prides itself as one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the country and the city’s rich diversity is embodied in UH’s dynamic student population.

The immersive NIIMBL eXperience program is scheduled from June 3-7, 2024. Under the guidance of experienced UH instructors, students will participate in two days of lectures and hands-on training on the operation of bioreactors for producing biologics and downstream protein purification by chromatography. The itinerary includes visits to several prominent companies including Hope Biosciences, which is engaged in manufacturing stem cells for lupus and traumatic brain injury; Neurogene, which develops gene therapy for rare neurological disorders; and Lonza Biologics, a world-renowned contract manufacturer for cell and gene therapy drugs for sickle cell anemia and other hereditary disorders.

Students will engage with industry professionals and gain insights into their diverse roles within their respective organizations, the career trajectories that they pursued, and the employment prospects in biomanufacturing. The company visits are designed to provide plenty of networking opportunities and offer crucial advice on navigating corporate cultures. We will be touring the Texas Medical Center where many hospitals serve as pivotal research and clinical trial centers for testing investigational drugs. The TMC Innovation Center and the J&J Innovation Labs house many startup companies dedicated to pioneering medicines for the future. Distinguished experts will guide students on enhancing personal branding and crafting winning resumes. Speakers from NSBE and SHPE will share their invaluable experiences as minority professionals in the STEM field to further inspire students towards success.

Perspectives on the NIIMBL eXperience

Become a host

Are you interested in hosting NIIMBL eXperience students this summer? The regional NIIMBL eXperience may have openings for you to participate. To learn more, contact NIIMBL Workforce Director, John Balchunas.

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Become a member

We offer a variety of membership options that give you the flexibility to choose your organization’s level of engagement based on technology interests and priorities.

Contact John Balchunas

Contact John Balchunas

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