Wistar Receives Brook J. Lenfest Foundation Awards Grant for Life Science Training Program
The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to The Wistar Institute’s Biomedical Technical Training (BTT) Program. The grant will help further the BTT Program’s mission to provide education, training and mentorship to regional community college students to support the talent pipeline needs of Philadelphia’s robust life science sector.
A one-of-a-kind program, Wistar’s BTT Program has offered biomedical laboratory training designed to supplement college courses and offer real-world research experiences to students for more than 20 years. Originally developed in partnership with the Community College of Philadelphia, the Program has since expanded to include students from Montgomery County Community College and Bucks County Community College in Pennsylvania as well as Camden County College in NJ.
In its longstanding commitment to a diverse talent pipeline in the life sciences sector, Wistar continues to collaborate with educational program throughout the region. Their plans include working with even more colleges over the coming years, including Delaware County Community College next year.
“We are extremely grateful to The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation for their generous support of the BTT Program,” said Dr. Kristy Shuda McGuire, dean of Biomedical Studies at The Wistar Institute. “This grant will enable us to support even more community college students as they develop the skills and experience they need to obtain in-demand jobs in the region’s growing life science industry.”
Students who complete the BTT Program have the opportunity to further their training through the Fox Biomedical Research Technician Apprenticeship, the first registered, non-traditional apprenticeship in biomedical sciences in the country. Together, the programs give students access to highly specialized technical and professional skills that are critical to the life sciences, while providing a wage as they train.
This is the second grant from The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation in support of the BTT Program for community college students.