The NOVA Biotechnology and Leadership in Education (NOBLE) Project will be funded by the National Science Foundation with more than $550,000 over the next three years. The goal of the NOBLE Project is to revitalize and grow the biotechnology program. The NOBLE Project seeks to recruit students throughout the entire NOVA service area, particularly minorities in STEM, veterans and dual-enrollment students. The NOBLE Project will include faculty from the Alexandria and Manassas campuses.
The goal of the NOBLE Project is to train students in technical and professional skills to increase their competitiveness in the biotechnology job market. Students will gain additional key experiences by attending scientific conferences and connecting with scientific organizations. Importantly, the grant will provide funds for paid internships at local biotechnology companies. Work will begin this summer. Interested students should contact Xin Zhou at xzhou@nvcc.edu or David Fernandez at dfernandez@nvcc.edu.
The principle investigator (PI) of this project, Dr. David Fernandez, thanks Dr. Eun-Woo Chang, vice president of academic affairs and chief academic office; Dr. Xin Zhou, NOVA biotechnology program head; Dr. Maggie Emblom-Callahan, interim dean of MSTB Alexandria and Dr. Diane Mucci, Annandale Campus provost, for their guidance and vision in crafting this project.