Bridge To Bio

Bridge to Bio is an immersive workforce development program aimed at increasing the diversity of new engineering talent entering the biomanufacturing sector through the Virginia Community College network.

Industry Need

Providing equal access to biopharmaceutical manufacturing opportunities for members of groups who have long been underrepresented due to historical and structural disadvantage is beneficial for business.
Research has shown that diverse organizations are more likely to experience financial success, benefit from improved company culture, and be more apt to retain talent.
Efforts to increase diversity in science and engineering focus on increasing representation, inclusion, or belonging, but few provide a combination of these interventions.

Approach

Bridge to Bio is an immersive workforce development program aimed at increasing the diversity of new engineering talent entering the biomanufacturing sector through the Virginia Community College network.

The program integrates three evidence-based pillars of change:

Increasing representation (e.g., immersion program)
Fostering community and belonging (e.g., peer networks)
Working to sustain change via meaningful mentorship from academia and industry

A collaboration among the University of Virginia, Merck, and Pfizer will provide participants access to a top university engineering program, industry-level training, continuous support (e.g., professional development), and structured industrial mentorship.

Impacts

At the completion of this project, Bridge to Bio will enable a talent pipeline that broadens access and improves the diversity of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce.

Increase representation in biomanufacturing

Foster community and belonging (peer networks)

Work to sustain change via meaningful mentorship from academia and industry

Outputs/Deliverables

OUTPUTS

Residential Program: Held at UVA, where participants engage with biopharmaceutical manufacturing concepts, attend lectures from industry experts, and network with faculty and students.
Experiential Learning: A key component includes a visit to Merck's Elkton facility, where participants gain hands-on experience in a biopharmaceutical manufacturing training environment.
Career Development: Support is provided through resume drafting, job search strategies, and professional networking.
Post-Program Support: Students receive guidance throughout their transfer process into four-year institutions, with continuous advising on academic and career planning, and access to job opportunities.

Publications

Prpich, G., Bridge to Bio: Workforce Development in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Orlando, FL, November 6, 2023.

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Project Lead

University of Virginia

Participating Organizations

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Pfizer, Inc.