The MLSC team joined MassBay Community College leadership and biotechnology faculty to provide Pathmaker validation to MassBay’s biotechnology program
In September, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) provided Pathmaker validation to MassBay Community College’s biotechnology program. Representatives from the MLSC joined MassBay Community College President David Podell, Provost Courtney Jackson, STEM Dean Hannah Sevian, and biotechnology faculty to visit the training facility at the Wellesley Hills campus and celebrate recognition for the success and effectiveness of MassBay’s Biotechnology: Genomics and Biomanufacturing program. The Center has previously supported MassBay with $1.8 million in total funding.
“We are excited to recognize MassBay Community College’s biotechnology program with Pathmaker validation,” said MLSC Vice President of Economic Development and Partnerships Jeanne LeClair. “Our collaboration with MassBay is a shining example of our shared commitment to cultivating and empowering the next generation of life science professionals.”
The MLSC’s Pathmaker program funds industry-aligned training programs that address critical skills and talent supply gaps and connects skilled, diverse workers with life science career opportunities in Massachusetts. Additionally, one of the goals of Pathmaker is to serve as a stamp of approval on specific training programs that meet the most up-to-date industry criteria, thereby sending a strong signal to prospective career seekers.
Pathmaker validation ensures that programs up to and including associate degrees receive a stamp of approval, affirming their alignment with industry standards and Pathmaker Core Competencies. This helps ensure top-tier quality in biomanufacturing education and industry readiness.
MassBay Community College’s renowned Biotechnology program offers hands-on, research-based education in the rapidly expanding field of biotechnology. The biotechnology lab at MassBay is one of the most advanced undergraduate research facilities, recognized by experts and the National Biotechnology Education Center. MassBay has produced 23 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering in America, more than any community college in America.
“We are proud to have received the Mass Life Sciences Center Pathmaker Validation, which recognizes our biotechnology programs in genomics and biomanufacturing,” said MassBay Community College President David Podell. “The MLSC’s continued investment in MassBay’s biotechnology students fosters their success both in the classroom and in their future careers. This collaboration with MLSC will directly address workforce gaps and create life-changing opportunities for the next generation of industry leaders.”
Students receive training in the most sought-after scientific disciplines across industry, academia, and government labs. The curriculum covers key topics such as DNA, RNA, proteins, biologics, biomanufacturing, cell culture, HPLC, gene therapy, and gene-editing techniques like CRISPR-Cas9. This comprehensive preparation equips students for careers in the biotech and biopharma industries, advanced research and development, or further education. Our program is designed to accommodate nontraditional students and features inquiry-based labs, research internships, and peer mentoring.
MassBay’s Wellesley campus is home to the Center for Therapeutics and Genomics Training (CTGT) and the Center for Biomanufacturing Education and Workforce Training (CBEWT). These centers are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing students to gain expertise in gene regulation, next-generation sequencing, genetic engineering, PCR, cell culture, bioprocessing, and more. We take pride in empowering students for success in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors, contributing to groundbreaking advancements in these fields.
About the MLSC
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an economic development investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts, home to the most verdant and productive life sciences ecosystem in the world. Through public-private funding initiatives, the MLSC supports innovation, research and development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the fields of biopharma, medical device, diagnostics and digital health. Since its creation in 2007, the MLSC has strategically deployed approximately $1 billion in Massachusetts, through a combination of grants, loans, capital infrastructure investments, tax incentives and workforce programs. These investments have created thousands of jobs and propelled the development of new therapies, devices and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being in Massachusetts and beyond.
