This month, graduate students interested in biotechnology joined faculty and staff to network, learn, and share their ongoing research at the annual Biotechnology Training Program (BTP) banquet.
The program, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has been supporting graduate students conducting research in biochemical sciences and related fields since 1989. Trainees gain specialized training in both academic and industry-focused research by completing directed coursework and an industry-based internship. BTP trainees and mentors span six colleges across the university.
This year marks a transition in leadership for BTP. Brian Fox stepped down as director after more than a decade of building and supporting the program. Biochemistry professors Vatsan Raman, Judith Simcox, and Scott Coyle now serve as BTP’s director and co-directors, respectively.
Following Raman’s opening remarks, attendees first heard from Lewis Sheats, the inaugural director of University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub. The new hub intends to serve UW–Madison by establishing campus leadership and structure to bolster entrepreneurship, with a focus on company founders, expanding access to necessary supports, including capital.
“My goal is simple,” said Sheats. “UW–Madison is a school that supports founders — students, faculty, and staff. If someone has an idea for a venture, think of the Entrepreneurship Hub as your front door.”
The students then heard from Paul Weiss, an investor at the health-focused venture investment firm Venture Investors Health Fund. Weiss, who earned his PhD from the UW–Madison Department of Biochemistry in 1987, discussed the intersecting roles of skilled researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors in developing new ventures that use artificial intelligence (AI) to support health and medical treatments.
“AI is a powerful tool — but not a silver bullet,” Weiss said. “Success depends on data quality, validation, and execution.”
Written by Renata Solan. Photos by Paul Escalante.