JAX and CSCU awarded prestigious grant to cultivate Connecticut’s talent in the bioscience sector

Digital education modules to be developed by the genomic education team at The Jackson Laboratory aim to prepare Connecticut State Community College students for careers in bioscience and strengthen the state's workforce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(New Haven, Conn. - Sept. 20, 2024) - The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) Genomic Education team, in collaboration with Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), has been awarded a prestigious National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant titled "Genomics in Action."

Totaling $442,764, the three-year grant will support a collaborative genomics education project between the institutions, with the goal of preparing Connecticut State Community College (CT State) students for careers in bioscience and strengthening the state's workforce.

This grant, which was announced today at the annual Bioscience Careers Forum at New Haven's Tech Innovation Center, marks the most recently funded educational collaboration between JAX and CSCU, paving the way for an ongoing partnership in cultivating the next generation of talent in the bioscience sector.

"The Jackson Laboratory is thrilled to be working collaboratively with CSCU to design and deliver new educational resources in human genomics. The effort is perfectly aligned with our long term goal to launch a new generation of scientists across Connecticut and New England," said Charlie Wray, JAX Vice President for Education.

More than 50 percent of CT State's students are from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. Genomics in Action will meet NHGRI's Strategic Vision by training a diverse entry-level genomics workforce needed by employers. These future workers will participate in interdisciplinary teams to use genomics to advance understanding of human disease and to improve human health.

"CSCU's colleges and universities are key talent drivers for the State of Connecticut. By equipping CT State students with the training and resources they need, we can ensure our students play an integral role in growing Connecticut's bioscience sector," said CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng. "This initiative underscores the power of public-private partnerships and how we can all work together to ensure our students continue to learn here and earn here and also strengthen Connecticut's workforce pipeline."

In partnership with CSCU and faculty from CT State, the Genomics in Action grant will allow JAX to create digital education modules on relevant topics related to genetics and genomics.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with The Jackson Laboratory on this genomics grant, which will provide our students with cutting-edge skills and experiences in the fast-growing field of bioscience," said CT State President O. John Maduko, M.D. "As a physician, I understand the transformative potential of genomics in shaping the future of health care. I am proud that we are supporting this initiative, preparing the next generation of health care innovators and researchers to make a lasting impact on the health outcomes of individuals and communities."

These modules will be integrated into existing courses by CT State faculty to enhance education and understanding of genomics, personalized medicine, and the social and ethical issues surrounding genomics research. Once developed, these resources will be broadly disseminated to the greater CSCU community and beyond.

"Our state's colleges and universities are a valuable partner in attracting and retaining talent. Through this grant, the collaborative effort between JAX and CSCU is further empowered to equip and inspire the next generation of our bioscience sector workforce," said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. "I'd like to congratulate The Jackson Laboratory Education team and Connecticut State Colleges and Universities for this prestigious recognition. I'm looking forward to seeing what will be accomplished with the support of this grant."

Sarah Wojiski, director of Education, and Bill Barter, director, Education Platforms, are Co-Principal Investigators from JAX on this project, and Lesley Mara, Associate Vice President for Systemwide Initiatives and Sponsored Programs at CSCU, is the co-investigator representing the CSCU system. An additional three faculty members from the CT State community college and several JAX Education instructional designers and educators will collaborate on designing and developing the curriculum.

The Genomics in Action grant builds on a 2017 partnership between CSCU and JAX which established the "Genomics Workforce Institute" to train and prepare students for careers in bioscience and biotechnology, increase faculty collaboration, and provide hands-on training for students, curriculum development resources for faculty, and direct access to potential employers.

That agreement gave way to the launch of the annual Bioscience Careers Forum in 2017, bringing the partnership between JAX and CSCU full circle. The event, which showcases regional career opportunities in the life sciences industry, is organized by JAX, CSCU, BioPath and Southern Connecticut State University.

"The Bioscience Careers Forum is a critical initiative for Southern as we work to support the workforce needs of New Haven's growing bioscience sector. By fostering collaborations like this with JAX, we are ensuring that students gain the skills and knowledge required to succeed in this dynamic field. Southern remains committed to preparing a diverse and capable workforce that will not only strengthen our local economy but also contribute to advancements in human health and medicine. This forum is an excellent opportunity for students to connect with industry leaders and explore meaningful career paths in bioscience," said Southern Connecticut State University Interim President Dr. Dwayne Smith.

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.

About Connecticut State Colleges and Universities:

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) is a system of six public colleges and universities that include four Connecticut State Universities, Connecticut State Community College (with 12 campuses), and Charter Oak State College, the state's only online college. CSCU enrolls students in certificate and degree programs and provides affordable, innovative, and rigorous programs in liberal arts, sciences, fine arts, applied fields, and professional disciplines. CSCU's comprehensive degree and certificate programs, workforce-focused learning opportunities, and job skills training programs allow students to achieve their personal and career goals. Ninety-six percent of CSCU's students are from Connecticut and come from each of the state's 169 cities and towns. The vast majority of CSCU graduates spend their lives and careers in the state, making life-long contributions to the cultural and economic growth and vitality of Connecticut.

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