# Biotechnology Predoctoral Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $482,056

## Abstract

Project Summary
This proposal requests renewal funding for the Biotechnology Predoctoral Training Program at Northwestern
University, which supports core activities for training a select group of students, nucleates the biotechnology
community, and provides many training opportunities. This interdisciplinary and interdepartmental Program
draws students from 5 participating units: the Departments of Chemical & Biological Engineering (ChBE),
Biomedical Engineering (BME), Material Sciences & Engineering (MSE), and Chemistry (Chem), and the
Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences (IBiS) graduate program. Research opportunities, chosen from rotations in
bioengineering and life sciences laboratories, are complemented by a core interdisciplinary curriculum.
Instruction in responsible conduct of research is provided, in part through a formal course, and discussion and
training in reproducibility and rigor (R&R) is woven throughout the Program. Three- to six-month industrial
internships expose trainees to modern biotechnology. All trainees and many preceptors attend the annual IBiS
off-campus retreat, allowing extensive interactions among students and faculty from many disciplines. A BTP-
only retreat increases the cohesiveness of the trainee group. At monthly biotechnology Research in Progress
meetings, trainees and faculty discuss their research results and challenges, develop communication skills,
interact with other trainees, and discuss personal experience with R&R challenges and strategies. Trainees
select topics and suggest speakers for a Biotechnology Seminar Series that brings industrial and academic
scientists to campus for discussions with trainees. Trainees also organize a Biotechnology Practicum and help
with Biotechnology Day. The Practicum provides both pedagogical and experiential, hands-on training in
current and emerging biotechnologies. Biotechnology Day introduces trainees and the broader biotechnology
community to numerous representatives from industry, who answer questions and discuss their career paths
and strategies for navigating opportunities and challenges in industry. Professional development also includes
crafting and discussing an Individual Development Plan. Trainees are recruited by the Program through
graduate program orientations, email, brochures, presentations, and web pages. Extensive efforts are made to
recruit and support students from underrepresented groups and/or with disabilities. We have been quite
successful with 17% of trainees from the past 5 years from underrepresented groups. The Steering Committee
selects trainees from all 5 graduate programs, and distributes slots among the preceptors. Northwestern
provides significant resources to enhance the Program and increase the number of students benefitted. The
Graduate School provides 5 additional 1-year training slots and tuition supplements; the Searle Center for
Advancing Learning and Teaching conducts regular Program assessment and evaluation; and the McCormick...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9968433
- **Project number:** 5T32GM008449-27
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Joshua Nathaniel Leonard
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $482,056
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1993-09-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9968433

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9968433, Biotechnology Predoctoral Training Program (5T32GM008449-27). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9968433. Licensed CC0.

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