The Biological Engineering Division and Biogen Inc. have announced the establishment of a fellowship program designed to train scientists for careers in the biotechnology industry, with special emphasis on the area of toxicology.
Under the program, two MIT doctoral candidates will be selected each year as Biogen Fellows. Candidates must have completed required courses and passed the written doctoral examination in toxicology or bioengineering. In addition to academic training at MIT, fellows will participate in a customized internship at Biogen. Biogen will contribute $50,000 annually for the fellowships, which will last two to three years each.
Professors Steven R. Tannenbaum and Douglas Lauffenburger, codirectors of the Biological Engineering Division; and James D. Green, vice president of Preclinical and Clinical Development Sciences at Biogen, will oversee the program.
"This fellowship provides future leaders of the biotechnology industry with training in the science of drug development and exposure to the operations of a first-rate company," said Tannenbaum, the Underwood-Prescott Professor of Toxicology. "This is another step in the long tradition of cooperation between MIT and various industries."
"Biogen is always looking to attract the best minds, and this fellowship is an exciting way to tap into the talents of outstanding young scientists at MIT," said Green. "This unique program also will enable promising doctoral students to expand their career development opportunities by having real-life experience at an established, dynamic biotechnology company."
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on April 3, 2002.
