Western New England University (WNE) is the recipient of a $500,000 grant to establish an interdisciplinary Master’s in Pharmaceutical Engineering degree program. The grant was announced by the Healey-Driscoll Administration as part of an overall $13.1 million awarded through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC).
The new Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Engineering program will take advantage of University strengths in pharmaceutical sciences within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and mechanical and biomedical engineering within the College of Engineering.
“At Western New England University, our Pharmaceutical Engineering degree epitomizes our commitment to reimagining the future for our students,” stated President Robert E. Johnson. “This innovative program aligns two of our flagship disciplines—pharmacy and engineering—to forge a career pathway that directly addresses federal initiatives to enhance the nation’s biotech and biomanufacturing capabilities. Simultaneously, it contributes to cultivating a competitive and diverse life sciences workforce in Massachusetts.”
The degree will provide a comprehensive education in the biopharmaceutical industry with a unique focus on the transformative field of advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMP). ATMPs are medicines for human use based on genes, cell, or tissue engineering.
“Demand for openings in our pharmacy program is exceptionally high each year. Introducing a new degree program can further enhance our students' potential to transform patient care especially in critical areas such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease,” said Bart Lipkens, associate professor of pharmacology at WNE.
The new degree builds on both colleges’ reputations of advancing scientific knowledge, allowing students the opportunity to learn from faculty and other researchers who are widely recognized for their contributions to the fields of pharmaceutical and engineering sciences. Students with a BS degree in sciences, engineering, mathematics, or pharmacy sciences with a desire to enter the field of biotechnology, biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, biopharma, and cell and gene therapy are eligible to apply. Enrollment is slated to begin in the late fall 2024 semester.
About the Grant
MLSC is awarding $10.3 million in capital funding to 20 institutions through the Workforce Development Capital Grant program. The funding will serve more than 5,000 students. This program aims to develop and expand life sciences education and training programs offered by post-secondary academic institutions and nonprofit organizations through capital investment in industry-aligned certificate and degree programs.
