Deadline for students to apply for this summer program is March 18, 2005
Ann Arbor, Michigan (February 24, 2005) – BioConnections, an internship placement program of the state’s life science industry association Michbio, today announced establishment of a new partnership with the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), a Grand Rapids-based independent biomedical research organization.
“The purpose of our new partnership with the Institute is to further the development of life science commercialization of research and company formation in Michigan while providing a rich learning experience for life science students,” said Andrea Kelly, MichBio’s BioConnections program director.
“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with BioConnections. It will help extend the reach and impact on the community for both the BioConnections Intern Program and the Institute’s Frederik and Lena Meijer Student Internship Program,” said Van Andel Institute Director of Research George Vande Woude, Ph.D. “With BioConnections support, we may be able to provide up to 15 internships, depending on the needs of our scientific investigators.”
BioConnections strives to develop and assist innovative intern program opportunities for Michigan students interested in participating in internship programs in the life sciences. For the past two years BioConnections, in partnership with Washtenaw Development Council, has successfully placed over 45 interns at companies statewide. Additionally, BioConnections has also partnered with the University of Michigan Zell Lurie Institute to help subsidize the Institute’s Marcel Gani Internship program, which places MBA/BBA students at up to six life sciences startups with BioConnections support.
The financial support BioConnections provides to VARI will supplement funding the Institute currently receives from the Frederik and Lena Meijer Student Internship Program. This program allows college students an opportunity to be mentored by professionals in their chosen field, use state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and learn valuable interpersonal and presentation skills.
Participants interested in applying for a Van Andel internship must be college students who have completed at least one year (equivalent to 24 credit hours), be enrolled in a science-related degree program, and have at least a 3.0 GPA. All internship placements are paid. Students need to submit a CV (curriculum vitae/résumé) with a cover letter, two letters of recommendation from professors, and official university transcripts by Friday, March 18, 2005.
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About the Van Andel Institute
The Van Andel Institute is an independent research organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and expanding the frontiers of medical science, and to achieving excellence in education by probing fundamental issues of education and the learning process. Established by the Jay and Betty Van Andel Foundation, its goals include identifying new cancer genes and their proteins, developing new methods for detecting cancer before it becomes life threatening, and identifying new biological targets for therapeutic intervention.
About BioConnections
BioConnections is Michigan's response to finding qualified candidates with specialized skills to fill positions in the life sciences industry. BioConnections is a collaborative program of industry partners. The partners include the following: STATPROBE Onsite, a full-service staffing firm; Search Masters International, a scientific executive consulting firm offering services to the Biotech and Pharmaceutical industries that range from project-base solutions to executive retained search; the Washtenaw Development Council, the lead economic development organization for the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti area; and BioSpace, a web resource for jobs, news and information for the life sciences market. The BioConnections program is funded by a three year, $1.1 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). For more information, go to www.bioconnections.org.
About MichBio
MichBio is dedicated to driving life sciences industry growth within the State of Michigan. For new and established biosciences companies, MichBio provides a community focal point by offering networking and educational events, a roster of support services, and a portal to state and national information. MichBio represents biosciences companies, academic and research institutions, bioscience service providers and related organizations. MichBio is focusing on the human resource, funding, and infrastructure issues affecting the state bioscience industry. MichBio is affiliated with BIO, the national organization that represents biotechnology companies across America.
