CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Project Onramp today announced they have placed more than 50 students in well-paid internships with top companies for summer 2019 through its first-in-the-nation Project Onramp program. The program will give the students – many of them the first in their families to attend college – hands-on experience and a valuable start towards a career in biotechnology.
“Project Onramp has created a new model for extending opportunities in the thriving biotech industry for high-achieving students who don’t have the personal or family connections that often play a big part in awarding internships,” said David Lucchino, chairman of MassBio and CEO and co-founder of Frequency Therapeutics. “The enthusiastic response from leading life sciences companies in Massachusetts has been overwhelming.”
Established industry incumbents as well as rapidly growing startups have created a total of 50 internships for Project Onramp students for summer 2019. Other firms are contributing by providing training, meeting facilities and mentors for our students.
“We jumped at the chance to offer an internship to a Project Onramp student,” said Nancy Simonian, M.D, president and CEO of Cambridge-based Syros, a leader in the development of medicines that control the expression of genes. “In addition to their solid academic credentials, these students bring an unmatched level of drive and commitment. Providing these opportunities to young people who have been historically underrepresented is important to the health and future of our growing industry.”
Syros’ intern is among several Project Onramp interns that will be sponsored by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center as part of its Internship Challenge. The state-funded workforce development program enables small and mid-sized life sciences companies to hire paid interns by reimbursing them for stipends of up to $8,160 per intern.
In addition to scientific and lab opportunities, Project Onramp is providing internships to students in business disciplines such as communications, administration and marketing. Syros’ intern will be assisting in the Human Resources department.
Project Onramp was created in 2019 by the state’s leading life sciences organizations: MassBio, MassBioEd, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and Life Science Cares, working with Bottom Line, a non-profit that helps first-generation-to-college students get into school and succeed. The program is open to undergraduate students who are working with Bottom Line, and is supported in part by funding provided by the State Universities of Massachusetts.
For the full list of 2019 Project Onramp Life Science Scholars, visit www.ProjectOnrampMA.com/scholars. To see all the companies providing internships, go to www.ProjectOnrampMA.com/companies.
About MassBio
MassBio® is a not-for-profit
organization founded in 1985 that represents and provides services and
support for the world’s leading life sciences supercluster. MassBio is
committed to advancing Massachusetts' leadership in the life sciences to
grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system and improve
patient lives. Representing 1,100+ biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, disease foundations and other organizations involved in
life sciences and healthcare, MassBio leverages its unparalleled network
of innovative companies and industry thought leaders to advance policy
and promote education, while providing member programs, events, industry
information, and services. Learn more at https://www.massbio.org/.
About MassBioEd
MassBioEd’s mission is to build a
sustainable life sciences workforce in the region through educational
programs that inspire and propel students, engage and excite teachers,
and illuminate the pathway from the classroom to careers. MassBioEd
serves the region through programs focused on training high school
educators, exposing students to the college and career opportunities
within the life sciences, providing industry and higher education with
job trends analysis, and advancing the discussion between community
colleges, universities, and employers. Learn more at https://www.massbioed.org/.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an economic development and
investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of
the life sciences in Massachusetts, home to the most verdant and
productive life sciences ecosystem in the world. Through public-private
funding initiatives, the MLSC supports innovation, research &
development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the
fields of biopharma, medical device, diagnostics, and digital health.
Since its creation in 2007, the MLSC has strategically deployed more
than $677 million in Massachusetts. Learn more at http://www.masslifesciences.com/.
About Life Science Cares
Life Science Cares SM
is a collective effort of the life science industry to eliminate the
impact of poverty on our neighbors in the greater Boston area. Through
uniting the human and financial resources of life science companies and
industry leaders, we support service organizations that do the best work
in fighting poverty in our community. Learn more at http://lifesciencecares.org/.
About Bottom Line
Bottom Line helps low-income and
first-generation-to-college students get to and through college. This
nationally recognized nonprofit is committed to building strong
connections with our students, providing them with individual support,
and ensuring they have the guidance they need to persist and earn a
college degree. Learn more at http://www.bottomline.org/.
