Inaugural webinar featured Rhode Island Life Science Hub
BioConnects New England (BCNE), a multi-state coalition that aims to connect hubs throughout New England to support existing and establish new biomanufacturing infrastructure as a pathway to increase employment, recently launched its New England Workforce Development Roundtable webinar series, an exclusive roundtable designed for workforce development professionals within the BCNE network.
Rhode Island Life Science Hub, represented by Lilia Kirtley Holt, vice president, and Patrice Milos, interim president, served as the first presenter in the series. Their presentation, “Working Together to Build and Grow Life Science Economy in Rhode Island,” demonstrated how Rhode Island Life Science Hub serves as the central entity and coordinating organization of life science initiatives on behalf of the state and highlighted their efforts in advancing the life sciences workforce development sector in Rhode Island.
“Our goal in creating the New England Workforce Development Roundtable was to give our partners an opportunity to connect with one another and share best practices in workforce development and biomanufacturing, and it was exciting to see that is exactly what happened during our inaugural event,” said Jared Auclair, co-lead of BCNE, interim Dean of Northeastern’s College of Professional Studies, Vice Provost of Research Economic Development, and Director of the Biopharmaceutical Analysis Training Lab at Northeastern University. “We look forward for more opportunities to bring our partners together and continue to move these discussions – and initiatives stemming from these discussions – forward.”
The next Workforce Development Roundtable is scheduled for October 30 and will feature Natalie Kuldell of BioBuilder, an organization that takes a comprehensive approach to the emerging field of synthetic biology by providing exceptional programming for students and educators alike.
About BioConnects New England
BioConnects New England is a multi-state coalition dedicated to creating a robust and inclusive biomanufacturing cluster in the regions of Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island. This coalition connects hubs throughout New England to support existing—and establish new—biomanufacturing infrastructure as a pathway to increase employment and educational opportunities for underserved regions and populations that have been historically excluded from the biotechnology industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in New England with national importance.
Created through a Phase 1 Finalist grant through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge in 2021, BioConnects New England has grown to include nine coalition members – The Biopharmaceutical Analysis Training Laboratory at Northeastern University, The Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland, Maine, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, The I-195 Design and Innovation District in Providence, Rhode Island, Rhode Island Commerce, The University of Rhode Island, and FocusMaine – and over 40 partners across the northeast
For more information about BioConnects New England, please email team@bioconnectsne.com or visit https://bioconnectsne.
