To help meet the growing demand for scientists trained in
drug discovery technologies, the Krieger School's
Advanced Academic Programs and
the Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer
Institute have partnered to develop a fellowship and
concentration to be offered through AAP's Biotechnology
program.
Starting in fall 2004, five students will be selected for
the two-year fellowship program that combines classwork
toward a master of science in biotechnology degree and a
paid internship at CCR/NCI laboratories in Bethesda, Md.
Students will receive hands-on training from professional
scientists engaged in important cancer research, learning,
among other things, how to effectively access genome and
protein databases, use high throughput robotic equipment
and screen chemical and natural compound libraries that
could inhibit cancer cell growth.
The fellows will receive two years of paid tuition and a
stipend in the low-$20s, contingent on acceptance to JHU's
Biotechnology program and NCI's fellowship program.
"The idea is to attract a student who doesn't necessarily
want to go to medical school or a doctoral program but
wants to have a career in the biopharmaceutical industry,"
said Patrick Cummings, senior associate program chair for
the Master of Science in Biotechnology program. "There is a
real need for training in this field. The biotechnology and
pharmaceutical industries are crying out for people with
knowledge and hands-on experience in drug discovery
technologies."
In addition to the fellowship program, the new
concentration, Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery
Technologies, will be available to qualified students
enrolled in the Biotechnology program. To earn their
degree, students must complete 10 courses: four core
courses, four in their concentration and two electives. The
new concentration courses are Molecular Targets and Cancer,
Bioassay Development, Chemical Libraries and Diversity, and
High Throughput Screening and Automation Laboratory.
Fellowship applications will be available in January and
are due April 1.
For more information, contact Patrick Cummings at
410-516-4724 or
cupat@jhu.edu.