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(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA)—For the third consecutive year, Delaware County Community College students are taking part in advanced biomedical research this summer after being selected to participate in the highly competitive Wistar Institute Biomedical Technician Training Program (BTT). The students are Nidier McCurdy of Secane; Maria Andrea Rivas Ordonez of Ridley Park; Aiyana Southerland of Sharon Hill; and Busra Busra of Philadelphia.
The Wistar Institute is a Philadelphia-based global leader in biomedical research with special expertise in cancer, immunology, infectious disease and vaccine development. BTT is a paid, credit-earning 12-week pre-apprenticeship program designed to respond to the growing demand for well-trained laboratory technicians and research assistants in life sciences.
Selection criteria for the program include academic transcripts, a recommendation from a college/university professor, a personal statement including a description of education and career goals, and an online interview.
The summer program consists of a two-week intensive laboratory course at the Wistar Institute followed by two five-week internship placements in academic or industry biomedical laboratories. The students receive academic credit through the DCCC Student Employment Services’ internship program.
BTT is a registered pre-apprenticeship that can also lead into Wistar’s Fox Biomedical Research Technician Apprenticeship, the first-ever registered, nontraditional apprenticeship program for biomedical research ratified by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.
The BTT program is run by Kristy Shuda McGuire, Ph.D., the Dean of Biomedical Studies at the Wistar Institute, facilitated by DCCC’s Student Employment and Co-op Center. The DCCC faculty liaisons are Biology professors Bela Dadhich, Ph.D. and Robert Suran, Ph.D.
“Our DCCC students are learning cutting-edge technology with leaders in the field,” Dr. Dadhich said. “It is a phenomenal opportunity.”