Program Description
BRITE prepares doctoral trainees for impactful careers in the biomedical research workforce by combining didactic training, mentored research, and career development in a coordinated structure.
About the program
BRITE was developed within the NIH NIGMS T32 training framework. At UMass Lowell, the program brings together faculty expertise across the College of Engineering, the Kennedy College of Sciences, and the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, and emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement with the biotechnology industry.
Training objectives
BRITE develops three groups of competencies identified in the training-grant framework.
Scientific and technical
Research methods, enabling technologies, and quantitative and computational approaches.
- Experimental design
- Analytical techniques
- Interpretation and reporting
Operational
Independent scientific inquiry, rigor, reproducibility, safety, and responsible conduct of research.
- Research planning
- Rigor and reproducibility
- Safe laboratory practices
Professional
Communication, leadership, teamwork, and preparation for scientific careers.
- Scientific presentations
- Collaboration and mentoring
- Career development
Program structure
Laboratory rotations, cohort learning, an industry experience, and home-laboratory research form the proposed two-year training sequence.
| Period | Focus | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Foundations and exploration | Laboratory rotations, journal clubs, scientific workshops, responsible research training, and professional development |
| Summer | Industry and research experience | Experiences that connect doctoral training with biotechnology practice |
| Year 2 | Research and independence | Home-laboratory research, proposal development, mentoring reviews, presentations, and career preparation |
Research areas
BRITE research spans computational science, biomedical engineering, therapeutics, and biotechnology, organized into eight program research areas. Explore research areas and faculty mentors.