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The program is especially timely because biotechnology is poised as an important economic engine that will power growth for the state of Florida. In addition to curricular and practical training in biomedical and laboratory science, students will receive intensive training in business administration. Graduates will earn a Master of Science degree in medical sciences, with a minor in business administration. “They are going to really understand the science fundamentals, how products are developed, how business functions, what the main drivers of project management are, how projects and resources are budgeted, the types of timelines involved and the different kinds of expertise needed to develop new therapeutic products,” said molecular genetics and microbiology associate professor Richard Snyder, Ph.D., the program director and director of Biotherapeutic Programs in the UF Office of Research. Students entering the program typically have a strong background in chemistry and biology and will learn how to conduct advanced applied research. By the time they graduate from the program, they will also have a strong grounding in business management. The program presents additional career and re-training options in a high-skill, high-wage industry for many individuals, including traditional students and people who are underemployed or have been displaced. The two-year, thesis-optional program is research-intensive and includes a formal internship at a Florida biotechnology company. Industry leaders serve on the program’s advisory board. Courses are geared toward skills needed in the development, testing and eventual commercialization of drugs, biologics and devices. They cover the translational research activities behind enzymes and other protein products, transgenic plants and animals, tissues and cellular products and biomedical implants. In addition, there will be instruction on product development, regulatory compliance, analytical product testing, ethics and responsible conduct of research, among other topics. “Success in the biotechnology industry requires a combined skill set — not just knowing the life sciences, you also need to have business knowledge in order to be effective in turning a science and technology project into a successful business venture,” said Steve Lin, Ph.D., vice president of biologics research and development and chief technology officer of Gainesville-based Exactech Inc., a leader in orthopedic implant technology. Lin wrote to the NSF in support of the new program. “If I’m going to add staff, if there are two applicants that are equally talented in biotechnology I would choose the one who has training in business, because it is very important when planning or executing a technology project to understand the business requirements, resource and regulatory issues and laws, because that can affect the success of technical projects.” Traditionally, such skill combinations are found in industry settings, but more and more they are being nurtured in academic institutions, as clinical and translational science programs thrive and researchers investigate therapies for various diseases, including rare conditions that do not generally attract the interest of pharmaceutical companies. “Graduates are expected to have a high impact on the growth of biotechnology companies in the state, but also on the expansion of the translational research enterprise at UF and other academic institutions,” Snyder said. The program’s industry partners include BioFlorida, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, RTI Biologics Inc., Banyan Biomarkers Inc., Exactech Inc., Pasteuria Bioscience Inc., Scripps Florida, Nanotherapeutics Inc. Workforce Florida and the Florida Research Consortium. For information about enrolling in UF’s translational biotechnology master’s program, contact Jessie Essex at 352-273-6850 or emmonsj@ufl.edu. Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and receive current Health News, be eligible for discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7. HealthNewsDigest.com For advertising/promotion, email: tvmike13@healthnewsdigest.com Or call toll free: 877- 634-9180 Top of Page 
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