The Micro Nano Technology Education Center invited Dr. Mrunalini (Leena) Pattarkine of the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology biotechnology faculty to lead a webinar on the topic of Nanobiotechnology Workforce Training on a Shoe-String Budget.
The webinar takes place March 9, 10:00 am – 11:00 am.
PST Pattarkine leads the biotechnology undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs at the University. She has several publications and book chapters to her credit. Prof. Pattarkine also serves as the Director of Capital Area Biotechnology Partnership (CABP), a Workforce Leadership Grant in Biotechnology funded by PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED, a $700,000/-grant). She has conducted numerous workshops on STEM workforce development at national and international events, for educators and administrators and is considered an expert in the field by the state administrators.
Pattarkine notes that Nanotechnology is called the “Next Industrial Revolution”. Biotechnology is called as “The Science of the Millennium”.
“When these two powerful disciplines blend into nanobiotechnology, one can only imagine the scope and opportunities that emerge. The industry has recognized the potential of this field and is already contributing several commercialized products generated using Nanobiotechnology,” says Pattarkine.
She adds that people use these products in their daily life, without realizing the nanobiotechnology connection. Despite the need, there is a severe deficiency of a nanobiotechnology trained workforce, and it is a matter of great concern. The origin for this concern lies in lack of awareness about the skills, education paths, and career options for nanobiotechnology in the K-12, as well as post-secondary education. Compounding the problem is the wide-spread myth that teaching nanotechnology is not possible without expensive instrumentation.
This webinar addresses this important matter. Pattarkine will share some strategies that enable low-cost, hands-on nanobiotechnology activities and projects that have been developed as a part of the workforce leadership activities undertaken through Capital Area Biotechnology Partnership (CABP) by the biotechnology program at Harrisburg University.
Register here: https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/2316742303361/WN_uFmQCMGORfOl4C7o21yQ5Q
The overarching goal of The Micro Nano Technology Education Center (MNT-EC) is to:
Grow the MNT technician workforce by fostering academic and industry mentorship between existing MNT partners and educators developing prospective community college MNT programs.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Harrisburg University is a private nonprofit university offering bachelor and graduate degree programs in science, technology, and math fields. For more information on the University’s affordable demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, call 717-901-5146 or email, Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Follow on Twitter (@HarrisburgU) and Facebook (Facebook.com/HarrisburgU.
