Biotechnology Training Program
Doctoral Studies Funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

Trainee Requirements

BTP Trainee Seminar

BTP trainees participate and present in a weekly seminar in the years in which they receive BTP funding. These seminars expose students to the research being conducted in their trainee peers’ labs, and also to industries in which BTP trainees complete their industry internships. This exposure includes not only research areas and methods, but also effective science communication.

Upcoming Seminars

Responsible Conduct of Research

All trainees must take a campus offered Responsible Conduct of Research course prior to their nomination.

Trainees also take a refresher course in Responsible Conduct of Research in the fourth year of their graduate studies; Biochem 729.008 is the option to fulfill this requirement.

Upcoming Courses

There are no upcoming events.

Foundations of Biotechnology:From Research to Real-World Impact

Seeing your research translate into real-world impact is one of the most rewarding outcomes of a scientific career. This course explores how scientific discoveries can form the basis of successful biotechnology ventures. Students learn to identify promising ideas, assess their commercialization potential, and develop viable business models using frameworks like the Business Model Canvas. Core topics include evaluating technology readiness, market discovery, intellectual property, and funding strategies. A central component is a team-based project in which students work together to evaluate a real technology and create a commercialization plan, guided by a panel of experienced instructors.

Upcoming Courses

There are no upcoming events.

BTP Winter Banquet

The BTP Annual Winter Banquet is held to foster closer affiliation between BTP and the biotechnology industry. The banquet is typically held mid-winter in Madison, WI, and provides an opportunity to thank past supporters, welcome new friends, and furnish an occasion for industry leaders to meet the BTP trainees and their faculty mentors. The evening features a poster session and reception showcasing the BTP trainees’ research, allowing ample time for collegial conversation. Dinner follows, and the evening concludes with a keynote speech by a prominent member of the biotechnology community.

Titles of the posters are sent to participants prior to the banquet. Industry representatives may wish to set up formal interviews with trainees interested in internships or future employment in conjunction with the Winter Banquet. Companies will have the option of presenting a table display regarding their company and employment opportunities, and to have their representatives meet with UW­–Madison researchers during their stay in Madison.

Past keynote speakers at the BTP Winter Banquet have included:

There are no upcoming events.