Mercer County Community College (MCCC), with support from Johnson & Johnson, the MCCC Foundation, and NJBioFutures, has announced the launch of its new Aseptic Biomanufacturing Program and Aseptic Mobile Laboratory.
Deborah E. Preston, MCCC president, was joined by representatives of Johnson & Johnson, NJBioFutures, and public officials for a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the 30-foot clean lab trailer, now housed at MCCC’s James Kerney Campus in Trenton. The mobile lab features brand new state-of-the-art equipment including a centrifuge, vortex mixer, biosafety cabinet, cell counter, and incubator.
The highly touted and anticipated program begins this fall. MCCC students may enroll year-round, online through the College’s Workforce Training website and select program options that best fit their goals, including: Good Manufacturing Practice Professional; Pharmaceutical Aseptic Cleaning; and Aseptic Biomanufacturing.
Upon completion of any one of the programs that range from five days to several weeks, students will receive a non-credit certificate and an opportunity to gain employment in the fast-growing, high-paying biomanufacturing industry.
The program serves as a catalyst to spark student interest in pursuing an associate of science in biotechnology or biology. Plans are underway to launch a biotechnology program at MCCC in collaboration with partner colleges through NJBioFutures.
“We are beyond excited to offer students access to the latest and greatest in workforce training in biotechnology and biomanufacturing,” Preston said. “We are fortunate that Johnson & Johnson and NJBioFutures have chosen to support our College and the MCCC Foundation in launching this important endeavor.”
“This program is the first of its kind, and we’re thrilled to offer it right here on our Trenton campus,” said Gonzalo Perez, assistant vice president of Academic Affairs, Workforce Education and Innovation at MCCC. “New Jersey is leading the way in the cell and gene therapy revolution, with demand for skilled professionals expected to jump 75 percent over the next two years. We’re proud that students who train at MCCC will be on the front line of innovation and entering fields in the rapidly growing biomanufacturing industry while strengthening our local community.”
“The launch of Mercer County Community College’s new Aseptic Biomanufacturing Program and aseptic mobile laboratory is an inspiring example of how innovation in education meets students where they are to open doors to future careers,” said Kimberly Lounds Foster, vice president, Advanced Therapies Supply Chain, Johnson & Johnson. “By bringing hands-on science and manufacturing learning directly to high school students in communities across New Jersey, this program can spark interest in life sciences early and prepare our future workforce for the specialized skills required to manufacture advanced therapies. Johnson & Johnson is honored to help grow a robust pipeline of talent that will drive New Jersey’s future in high-demand sectors like biopharmaceuticals and cell and gene therapy.”
“NJBioFutures is an innovative public-private partnership that will ensure that pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing companies have access to the highly skilled workforce they need to continue to thrive and grow here in the Garden State,” said Aaron R. Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. “We are so pleased that Mercer County Community College is working closely with Johnson & Johnson, Raritan Valley Community College, and Middlesex College on this exciting initiative.”
For more information about MCCC’s Aseptic Biomanufacturing Program, visit www.mccc.edu/biomanufacturing.
MCCC President Deborah E. Preston was joined by business and academia representatives and elected officials celebrating the ribbon cutting of the biomanufacturing laboratory at the MCCC James Kerney Campus in Trenton. Pictured from left: Erica M. Oliver, MCCC vice president of college advancement, marketing & communications; Gonzalo Perez, MCCC associate provost, academic affairs, workforce innovation & urban education; Jennifer Kaklamanis, MCCC director, workforce education; Aaron Fichtner, NJ Council of County Colleges president; Reed Gusciora, Trenton Mayor; Dan Benson, Mercer County Executive; Preston; William Zhou, Johnson & Johnson head of US CAR-T Operations; Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson; Assemblywoman Tennille R. McCoy; and Robert J. Schreyer, MCCC vice president of academic affairs.,
