Wentworth and BU Awarded $4.5M NSF Grant for Bioengineering Graduate Program

Wentworth Institute of Technology’s School of Engineering—in collaboration with Boston University—has received a nearly $4.5 million Research Traineeship grant from the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Institutional Partnership Pilot (NRT-IPP) to support the development of a new graduate program in bioengineering and provide 25 graduate fellowships over the next five years.  

The Master of Science in bioengineering program will feature relevant coursework, immersive research, and paid industry internships, to ensure that graduates are well-prepared to transition into STEM careers and contribute to the bioengineering sector. 

“With the support of this grant and collaborative efforts between Boston University and Wentworth, we will be able to combine hands-on learning experiences with pertinent course materials to leverage the value of education for our students in bioengineering, which is becoming a rapidly expanding and essential field of study,” said Ali Khabari, dean of the School of Engineering and principal investigator. “Receiving the grant further showcases the talents and dedication of our Engineering faculty who are excited for the opportunities made possible through this award.”  

Thomas Bifano, director of the BU Photonics Center and vice president and associate provost for Research, ad interim, at Boston University, echoed the importance of the partnership. 

“We are honored to receive this National Science Foundation Research Traineeship grant in collaboration with the Wentworth Institute of Technology," said Bifano. "Through this new biotechnology master’s program, we aim to create innovative pathways for students while addressing the critical and growing workforce needs of the field." 

Designed to ease the demand for professionals in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing industries, students in the new program will gain expertise in bioengineering product development, medical device design, biomanufacturing, and computational modeling. Additionally, during their studies, students will conduct interdisciplinary research in areas such as medical imaging, biosensing, tissue engineering, and digital therapeutics. 

Among the team of Wentworth faculty participating in the project alongside Khabari are Professors Mary Machado, Uri Feldman, Salil Desai, Ata Kiapour, Xiu Zhai, and Ali Kiapour.  Additionally, Professor Lindsey McGowan from North Carolina State University will serve as the external evaluator.   

“As the life sciences sector continues to grow, so does the need for skilled bioengineers,” Khabari said. “This project aims to address these challenges while enabling Wentworth and Boston University to play a pivotal role in providing a valuable, sustainable solution that contributes to the thriving life sciences community in Boston.”