Industry Partnerships and Support

The Biomanufacturing Project Management Microcredential Program is driven by a network of strong industry partnerships that ensure our curriculum remains aligned with the needs of the rapidly evolving biomanufacturing sector. These partnerships provide students with hands-on experience, mentorship and pathways to real-world applications, ensuring graduates are prepared to excel in their careers from day one.

Our industry partners play an active role in shaping program content, offering hands-on learning opportunities, and contributing to the development of a future-ready biomanufacturing workforce. Through internships, capstone projects and guest lectures, students gain practical experience and industry insights that bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace.

Some of Our Industry Partners

Lockheed Martin

Contribution: Provides mentorship in strategic project management, helping students gain insights into managing complex biomanufacturing projects. Lockheed Martin also supports industry-informed capstone projects and offers internship opportunities.
Benefit to students: Access to advanced project management strategies and networking opportunities with one of the world’s leading manufacturing companies.

Lygos

Contribution: Partners with the program to offer practical training in green chemistry biomanufacturing, emphasizing sustainable chemical production methods.
Benefit to students: First-hand experience in eco-friendly biomanufacturing processes, reinforcing the program’s focus on sustainability.

National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC)

Contribution: Hosts the optional, week-long, on-site training module. Students gain hands-on experience with industrial-scale bioreactors and fermentation systems.
Benefit to students: Immersive training in green chemistry biomanufacturing operations, with direct exposure to a pilot-scale production environment.

Good Food Institure (GFI)

Contribution: Supports curriculum development related to alternative proteins and sustainable food biomanufacturing, providing thought leadership on emerging trends in cellular agriculture and fermentation technologies.
Benefit to students: Exposure to cutting-edge developments in the alt-protein sector and connections to a global network of food tech innovators, policy experts and researchers.

Invizyne Technologies

Contribution: Collaborates on the AI-based biomanufacturing track, providing students with insights into AI-driven process optimization and the application of advanced machine learning in bioprocessing.
Benefit to students: Learn from industry experts in AI-enabled biomanufacturing, preparing them for future roles in an increasingly automated industry.

Via Biofuels

Contribution: Offers mentorship and technical input related to biofuel production, carbon-negative technologies and renewable energy integration in biomanufacturing.
Benefit to students: Firsthand insights into sustainable fuel development and bioreactor process design with a focus on environmental impact and decarbonization.

Partnership Benefits for Industry

Partnering with the program offers a range of benefits, including:

Access to skilled graduates: Early access to a talent pool trained in both biomanufacturing and project management, equipped to meet the challenges of the modern bioeconomy.
Collaborative innovation: Opportunities to engage in research initiatives focused on green chemistry and AI-enabled processes.
Capstone projects: Collaborate with student teams on industry-driven capstone projects, providing solutions to real-world challenges. These projects ensure that students are ready to solve current issues facing the biomanufacturing industry.
Support for diversity and inclusion: Engage with a program committed to increasing the representation of underrepresented groups in biomanufacturing, aligning with corporate diversity initiatives.

How Industry Partners Support the Program

Industry partners play an integral role in shaping the program through:

Curriculum development and feedback: Partners provide ongoing input to ensure the program reflects current industry practices, emerging technologies, and sustainability goals. This includes advising on course content, recommending skill sets, and participating in curriculum review sessions.
Mentorship and training: Offer mentorship to students, guiding them through industry challenges and providing insights into career development.
Capstone design and evaluation: Collaborate on the design of capstone projects, helping to define real-world problems for students to solve while evaluating the proposed solutions.
Internships: Provide internship opportunities that allow students to apply their knowledge in practical settings and develop valuable industry connections.
Guest lectures and webinars: Industry experts participate in guest lectures and webinars, keeping students informed about industry trends and cutting-edge technologies.

Partner with Us

We are actively seeking new industry collaborators who are passionate about shaping the future of biomanufacturing. Whether you're in green chemistry, AI-driven bioproduction or strategic operations, your partnership can help us train the next generation of biomanufacturing leaders.