# From Biotech to Benchside: Team-Based Undergraduate Experiences in Design Thinking and Learning

> **NIH NIH R25** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $21,034

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Biotechnology advances in research settings are rapidly growing, but the gap between translational medicine to
clinical utility is lacking. In addition, there is a disconnect between undergraduate bioengineering education and
workforce skills development that reduces the bioeconomy human capital needed to address critical
biotechnology and biomanufacturing infrastructure in the United States. The proposed project aims to bridge the
gap between biotechnology research and clinical applications by developing a bench-to-industry-to-bedside
pipeline for undergraduate and graduate biomedical engineering students. Through team-based learning
experiences, the project emphasizes collaboration and feedback cycles among critical stakeholders in
biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The objectives include augmenting existing biotechnology design courses
with emerging technologies such as adeno-associated viruses, recombinant protein production, and chimeric
antigen receptor T cells that reinforce common innovation and manufacturing pipelines for student teams. We
will also integrate industry and clinical mentorship from local biotechnology companies and medical practice and
incorporate ethical frameworks in biotechnology design cycles. To address healthcare equity with rising costs of
novel biotechnologies and information access, student designs will emphasize human-centered universal design
and education to diverse populations as part of comprehensive needs assessment and stakeholder analyses.
By enhancing the Duke Biomedical Engineering curriculum with advances in gene, cell, and molecular therapy,
the project seeks to cultivate essential bioengineering skills for a future in molecular and cellular medicine. The
intended educational outcomes include fostering skill development in molecular, cellular, and genetic
engineering, promoting successful transitions into careers in the biomedical research workforce, and equipping
students with the knowledge and experience to navigate the evolving biotechnology landscape and needs of all
biotechnology stakeholders. With an estimated impact on approximately 100 undergraduate students and 50
graduate students over the five-year duration of the project, this program aims to significantly contribute to the
bioeconomy and advance the translation of biotechnology advancements into clinical applications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10850767
- **Project number:** 1R25EB035497-01
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Cameron Michael Kim
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $21,034
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10850767

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10850767, From Biotech to Benchside: Team-Based Undergraduate Experiences in Design Thinking and Learning (1R25EB035497-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10850767. Licensed CC0.

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