Biotech Education Expands: New Programs, Lab, and K-12 Initiative Announced

Several universities and research institutions have recently announced new biotechnology education initiatives, including graduate degree programs at Auburn University, a 2+2 transfer pathway between Elizabethtown College and Harford Community College, a USDA-funded K-12 plant biotechnology program at the Boyce Thompson Institute, and a new teaching laboratory at Baku Engineering University.

Auburn University will debut biomedical engineering graduate and certificate programs led by the department of chemical engineering and the Biomedical Engineering Advisory Committee. The state-approved offerings include a doctoral degree, thesis and non-thesis master's degrees, and two graduate certificates, all drawing on the university's expertise in advanced biomedical technologies and biotechnology. The program will involve more than 20 faculty members across the college. The biomedical engineering certificate program is expected to launch in Fall 2026, with a full program launch scheduled for Fall 2027. "The biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors within the state of Alabama are growing quickly, and they need engineers who are prepared to contribute on day one," the dean of engineering said.

Elizabethtown College has partnered with Harford Community College (HCC) in Bel Air, Md., to offer students a seamless pathway to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology through a new 2+2 transfer agreement. Students who earn an Associate of Applied Science in Biotechnology from HCC with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher will receive guaranteed admission to Elizabethtown's Biotechnology program and may transfer up to 64 credits toward their bachelor's degree. The agreement also provides HCC students with full consideration for financial aid, a 15% tuition discount for Phi Theta Kappa members who are continuously enrolled, and access to Etown academic, financial aid, and career advising while enrolled at HCC. Additionally, Etown guarantees admission to HCC students in other majors who earn an associate degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. The college was recently named one of the nation's most transfer-friendly institutions for the fifth consecutive year by Phi Theta Kappa.

The Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) has received a multi-year award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Agriculture Non-Formal Education (FANE) program to support P-BIOTEK: Plant Biotechnology Innovation, Outreach, Training, and Education for K-12 Students. This four-year project aims to expand access to biotechnology education for K-12 students, particularly those from underserved communities in rural Upstate New York. Through a collaboration between BTI, Cornell University, New York State 4-H, Norfolk Healthy Produce LLC, and Science in Real Life, the program will create hands-on learning opportunities that introduce students to plant biotechnology, bioengineering, and science communication. Approximately 100 students each year will grow and evaluate The Purple Tomato™, a bioengineered variety rich in anthocyanins, and help develop educational modules explaining how such crops are created, including topics like GMOs and gene editing. Each year, a select group of six high school students will take part in a seven-week paid summer internship at BTI and Cornell, receiving hands-on training in plant molecular biology, conducting research, and presenting findings at a scientific symposium. The initiative is expected to directly support more than 400 youth participants over the course of the grant.

Baku Engineering University (BEU) has inaugurated a Biotechnology Research and Teaching Laboratory. The new laboratory will create extensive opportunities for conducting fundamental and applied research in biotechnology while enhancing students' practical knowledge and skills. The rector stated that the laboratory, which meets international standards, forms part of the university's strategic development program. Admissions to the "Biotechnology" specialization at BEU have been conducted over the past two years, with students choosing this field scoring above 515 points. The laboratory is equipped with a high-speed refrigerated centrifuge, a thermal incubator, a deep freezer, an ultrasonic homogenizer, and a fluorescent trinocular microscope, among other state-of-the-art equipment. The rector added that the laboratory will serve as a platform for engaging young researchers in scientific projects, supporting startup initiatives, and expanding international scientific collaborations.