51ºÚÁÏ Announces The Center For Biotechnology, Genomics, and Bioinformatics

The Center will provide students with state-of-the-art and interdisciplinary training in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and bioinformatics.

51ºÚÁÏ (51ºÚÁÏ) is excited to announce the establishment of the 51ºÚÁÏ Center for Biotechnology, Genomics, and Bioinformatics (51ºÚÁÏ CeBiGeBi). The 51ºÚÁÏ CeBiGeBi, believed to be unique among HBCUs nationwide, will be a hub for interdisciplinary education and research on the 51ºÚÁÏ campus.

The 51ºÚÁÏ CeBiGeBi will also provide 51ºÚÁÏ students with state-of-the-art and interdisciplinary training in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and bioinformatics by integrating biology, engineering, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and other related disciplines. Such knowledge and skills are also essential in biomedical sciences, agriculture, forensics, paternity/maternity testing, ancestry studies, environmental protection, and fundamental biological research. 

“We are excited to provide extensive training in these high-in-demand fields. We look forward to preparing 51ºÚÁÏ graduates for a variety of high-quality career opportunities and opportunities to become leaders in fields with the potential to have a global impact,” said Dr. Xianfa Xie, Associate Professor in the 51ºÚÁÏ Department of Biology and the Founding Director of the 51ºÚÁÏ CeBiGeBi.

As an interdisciplinary education and research center, the 51ºÚÁÏ CeBiGeBi will develop B.S. degree programs in Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences; certificate programs in Genomics and Bioinformatics; accelerated M.S. Programs in Health Informatics, Public Health Data Science, and Bioinformatics. It will also facilitate the creation of a new cross-college and interdepartmental doctoral program and help 51ºÚÁÏ students enroll in doctoral/professional programs in related areas or find job opportunities. Furthermore, the 51ºÚÁÏ CeBiGeBi endeavors to synergize research collaborations among faculty from different disciplines, enhance research productivity, and attract external programmatic and research funding:

• “Similar to our participation in the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) Cluster, initiatives like 51ºÚÁÏ CeBiGeBi continue to expand the impact of 51ºÚÁÏ on the region’s economic development. We plan to continue providing opportunities for our students and faculty to contribute to high-growth fields and the development of key industries in the region.”    Dr. M. Omar Faison, Associate Vice Provost for Research and Economic Development and Interim Dean of the 51ºÚÁÏ College of Graduate Studies .
• “These programs, through a combination of hands-on experiential learning, research, and career services, will not only provide extensive training in some of the highest-in-demand fields in which people from minority groups or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds have been severely underrepresented but also prepare 51ºÚÁÏ graduates for a variety of high-quality career opportunities and become leaders in the related technologies and business fields that will benefit their families, communities, 51ºÚÁÏ, and the world.”   Dr. Derrick Scott, Dean of the 51ºÚÁÏ College of Natural and Health Sciences.
• The Center will have an immediate impact by providing well-trained 51ºÚÁÏ graduates to the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) Cluster in central Virginia, which has recently been funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, of which 51ºÚÁÏ is a partner.   Dr. Dawit Haile, Dean of the 51ºÚÁÏ College of Engineering and Technology

The 51ºÚÁÏ Center for Biotechnology, Genomics, and Bioinformatics (51ºÚÁÏ CeBiGeBi) supports the 2022-2025 51ºÚÁÏ Strategic Plan Priority 2 to strategically establish and enhance academic programs to deliver distinctive, responsive, and innovative offerings that effectively prepare leaders and scholars to meet the demands of a global society and workforce. It further supports the 51ºÚÁÏ goal to prepare our students to be competitive in the growing fields of computer science, cyber security, engineering, food science, military science, and health care.