WSSU’s biomanufacturing training opens doors across careers for N.C.’s growing life sciences sector

Second cohort earns certification for high-paying jobs

What do a financial advisor, a biology major, an IT specialist and a medical laboratory scientist all have in common? They each completed certified biomanufacturing training hosted by Winston-Salem State University.

Seven participants from various career fields joined the Accelerate NC Life Sciences Manufacturing Coalition’s second cohort at WSSU. Led by the NC Biotechnology Center, the initiative aims to strengthen the state’s life sciences manufacturing sector and workforce.

WSSU is one of six bioprocessing training hubs offering short, hands-on courses on biopharmaceuticals free of charge to underserved and economically distressed communities, thanks to a $6.2 million award to the North Carolina Central University’s Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge.

“North Carolina is positioning itself to be the life sciences capital of the country – if not the world,” said Dr. Jill Keith, WSSU chemistry professor and director of its Biomedical Research Infrastructure Center. “This training program is very critical to make sure we have the workforce needed to realize this vision.”

The training prepares participants for entry level biomanufacturing positions starting at $30 per hour.

“This course would cost $10,000 if paid for out of pocket at a university,” William Smith, BRITE development director, told the graduates at a closing ceremony Aug. 1 at WSSU. “You got this course for free. It’s an opportunity for a career change.”

That’s exactly how Carlos Miller sees it. The WSSU graduate has been in the medical laboratory industry for 19 years and is poised to pivot. “I see this training as a catalyst to steer me in a different direction – away from hospital clinical and going more to the pharmaceutical side,” he said. “This will bridge all the knowledge that I’ve gained from undergrad and science classes and what I’ve learned on the job.”

Cassandra Fleming, a 2014 WSSU chemistry graduate now in financial services, is hoping for the same. “Maybe this will help me jumpstart a career in the field of chemistry – my first love,” she said.

This cohort also included current student Chavorian Atkins, who is majoring in biology. He took the training to better equip him for a career in a marine lab in Wilmington, where he plans to assist with research that cultivates algae oil into a biological fuel.

Mary Anderson, who returned to WSSU to complete her degree in 2019, is interested in transitioning from a 20-year career in IT to biomanufacturing.

At the closing ceremony, they each shared lessons learned prior to receiving their certification certificates by Dr. Mesia Steed, chair of WSSU Department of Biological Sciences and co-director of its biomanufacturing training program.

“This is an opportunity to bring training to our community so that we can have individuals participating in biomanufacturing right here in the state of North Carolina,” she said.

Since its launch, the program has trained 123 candidates in 14 sessions, said Ermine Cupid-Hastings, EDA Build Back Better program manager. The grant ends September 2026, so she encouraged the class to spread the word.

“North Carolina cannot be the epicenter of life sciences without you,” Dr. Frank Ingram, WSSU associate provost for academic budget and faculty affairs, told the graduates. “We can’t build a better North Carolina without you.”

Interested in applying for the next session?
Participants are required to complete five online training modules that are self-paced and intensive, followed by a two-week in-person session on the WSSU campus. The training sessions are open to residents of North Carolina 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED.  The next session will be held in November. Stay tuned to wssu.edu for updates on registration.