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Education Center
Overview
The CERHB Education Center has classrooms, conference areas, a cleanroom simulator, and wet labs outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment (floor plan). The CERHB has formed strategic partnerships with corporations, state and local government agencies, and educational institutions to train faculty and deliver curricula to attract and educate high school and college students, as well as provide existing workforce training for entry and mid-level careers in the biotechnology industry. We are creating model curricula and pilot programs at all levels including Community College and High School levels that will then be reproduced throughout the state and the nation.
In addition, the CERHB Education Center provides a unique capability for a realistic training environment and, ultimately, employment for university students and industry professionals. The students trained in our programs will be excellent candidates for hire into jobs within our growing regional biotechnology and agritechnology sectors that will manufacture drugs, devices, diagnostics, and natural products for human use. Employers play a major role in curriculum development to assure that the students are trained in suitable courses.
The Education Center serves a central role in providing opportunities for hands-on experience; this is an essential component of the training program and will produce graduates with not only theoretical knowledge, but also actual experience in manufacturing, laboratory techniques, regulatory affairs, and quality systems. The CERHB is committed to recruiting and educating students, and incumbent and displaced workers for careers in biotechnology.
The Center:
- prepares teachers to teach about biotechnology in secondary schools and community colleges
- improves biotechnology education and training at secondary schools, community colleges and four-year colleges
- partners with the state to improve the biotechnology-related programs of community colleges
- strengthens biotechnology education and training programs to include minorities
- works with industry partners for curricula development, and job placement of trained workers and professionals.
Our program, that includes 42 partners from education, government and industry, has been recognized nationally through a multi-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). We have also received a grant from Workforce Florida Incorporated (WFI) for workforce training that involves 43 partners from industry and education.
Contact Information:
For information on currently schedule courses contact:
Tammy Mandell (tmandell@cerhb.ufl.edu)
Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology
13706 Innovation Drive
Alachua, FL 32615