The Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) continues to bring good news to the Gloucester community, announcing that the first class at the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy will attend the cutting-edge vocational training academy free of charge. We are proud that our design of the new research lab at the Academy will be home to new exciting research initiatives and opportunities.
The innovative project is receiving positive feedback in the local news as the Gloucester Daily News showcased the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy in their “Our View” column and in another feature piece.
The Gloucester Daily News quoted Michele D. May, chairwoman of GMBI’s board of directors, saying, “We wanted to be able to attract the best possible students into our inaugural class, and we didn’t want anything to get in the way of that. This seemed like the appropriate solution and we’re very excited to be able to do it. This is a tremendous opportunity for these students.”
The academy will host one class per year, with the maximum enrollment limited to 20 students. Students will spend the first six months studying a marine-themed curriculum in the Gloucester classroom and labs before embarking on a paid internship at a local biotechnology company during the final three months of study.
George E. Marsh Jr.’s (Principal, PAYETTE) original design vision for the research lab
Though limited in square footage, this project aims to have a big community impact. PAYETTE’s design of the research lab has a unique element of public engagement. This is represented in the gallery-like corridor that bisects the program – slipping between large teaching spaces and smaller, more intensive lab support rooms. Glass walls at each end of this gallery provide transparency into the large teaching spaces which reinforces the researchers’ connection between open lab and lab support while inviting visitors to observe the research as it is being conducted.
The Gloucester Daily Times highlighted the community opportunity this program offers, stating, “It is an impressive investment on the part of the relatively new genomics institute, which hopes to makes Gloucester and Cape Ann a biotech hub like Cambridge or Boston. For the endeavor to be a success, there needs to be a skilled workforce on hand. What better way to grow it than through the biotechnology academy?”
Related Posts:
Our view: Partnerships provide opportunity for city’s students
Gloucester Biotechnology Academy to offer free vocational training
Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Breaks Ground