# BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING TRAINING PROGRAM

> **NIH NIH T32** · RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE · 2021 · $390,103

## Abstract

Abstract
The Biomolecular Science and Engineering Training Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is
dedicated to the education of a broad and diverse pool of predoctoral students at the interface of biology,
chemistry and engineering, focusing on the quantitative linkages that define this interface and prepare trainees
for careers in biotechnology. The Program’s overarching objective is to provide the trainees with a keen
understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of research, how it depends on fundamental underpinnings in both
science and engineering, how it leads to innovative new scientific advances and technologies, and how basic
science and engineering research can lead to new discoveries and commercial products that benefit society.
The Training Program has been designed with key Program objectives to provide each trainee with a strong
foundation in rigorous experimental design emphasizing rigor and reproducibility: to conduct ethical,
responsible and productive predoctoral research with integrity and appropriate time-to-degree; to communicate
and work effectively in teams with a diverse and broad pool of colleagues with multicultural sophistication; and
to gain broad knowledge, professional skills and experiences for diverse careers in biomedical research.
Our Training Program at RPI increases interactions among students from four departments: Biological
Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Chemistry and Chemical
Biology, through courses, structured activities, research mentoring and training, and industrial experiences.
Key activities of the Training Program include the following 12 Action Items: [A1] a core course entitled
“Perspectives in Biomolecular Science and Engineering” that is taken by all trainees; [A2] a set of four courses
that maximize didactic training among the key disciplines; [A3] a daylong technology commercialization boot
camp to learn about fundamentals of intellectual property and participate in an entrepreneurial program; [A4] a
high-profile seminar series that provides exposure to contemporary research in academia and industry; [A5] a
student-run seminar program, in which trainees present their research to their peers and Program faculty; [A6]
exposure to enrichment activities about human health, physiology, and disease, thereby promoting a
healthcare innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem; [A7] an annual retreat to network externally and hold
discussions on contemporary research areas and careers in biotechnology; [A8] dual advising and
multidisciplinary thesis committee membership for Ph.D. thesis work; [A9] an industrial internship; [A10]
international Experience; [A11] training in responsible conduct of research, scientific rigor and reproducibility;
and [A12] participation in a set of activities personalized for induvial development. Program committees and a
trained evaluator conduct evaluations of the training process and outcomes to ensures that the train...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10207046
- **Project number:** 1T32GM141865-01
- **Recipient organization:** RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Deepak Vashishth
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $390,103
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10207046

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10207046, BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING TRAINING PROGRAM (1T32GM141865-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10207046. Licensed CC0.

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