TIP/TEN YEARS AFTER DISCOVERY, STEM CELLS A GROWING SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT
Although the therapeutic benefits of stem cells are likely still years away, Wisconsin's graduates are already reaping the rewards of stem cell research and development - in the form of newly emerging jobs. In the decade since University of Wisconsin-Madison anatomy professor James Thomson reported the first isolation of human embryonic stem cells on Nov. 6, 1998, the state's burgeoning stem cell industry has been steadily creating career opportunities not just for newly minted Ph.D. scientists, but graduates with bachelor's and master's degrees, as well.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Although the therapeutic benefits of stem cells are likely still years away, Wisconsin's graduates are already reaping the rewards of stem cell research and development - in the form of newly emerging jobs.
In the decade since University of Wisconsin-Madison anatomy professor James Thomson reported the first isolation of human embryonic stem cells on Nov. 6, 1998, the state's burgeoning stem cell industry has been steadily creating career opportunities not just for newly minted Ph.D. scientists, but graduates with bachelor's and master's degrees, as well.
In fact, according to a research study conducted by NorthStar Economics and commissioned by the WiCell Research Institute, the stem cell field had generated 643 Wisconsin jobs by the end of calendar year 2007.
So who makes up this new workforce, what do they do, and how are they being prepared to help build Wisconsin's new economy? Prime examples can be found among the current students and recent graduates of the UW-Madison Master of Science in Biotechnology program ( www.ms-biotech.wisc.edu ).
The individuals below are available to talk about their experiences as researchers, production scientists and business people, both within the UW-Madison community and at local companies.
-Andy Detienne, M.S. Biotechnology program Class of 2006, is the stem cell licensing manager at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation ( WARF ), adetienne@warf.org
-Tori Barron, Class of 2005, is a research scientist at the WiCell Research Institute, tori@wicell.org
-Seth Taapken, Class of 2009, is also a research scientist at WiCell,taapken@wisc.edu
-Jeremy Roberts, Class of 2008, is a scientist in the laboratory of UW-Madison stem cell scientist Gabriela Cezar, jmroberts@wisc.edu
-Casey Stankewicz, Class of 2008, is a production development scientist with the Madison company Cellular Dynamics, cstankewicz@gmail.com
-Maya Fuerstenau-Sharp, Class of 2008, is also a production development scientist with Cellular Dynamics, mayafuerstenau@yahoo.com
-Jared Finger, Class of 2010, is a scientist with the Madison company Cell Line Genetics, jmfinger@wisc.edu
-Kurt Zimmerman, ( 608 ) 262-0685 ( office ), 219-6425 ( cell ), kjzimmerman@wisc.edu, is director of the Master of Science in Biotechnology program. Zimmerman can discuss how the program's integrated curriculum in science, policy, law and business is preparing students for leadership positions in Wisconsin's stem cell industry.
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