NIIMBL bioLOGIC Turns STEM Curiosity Into a Spark for Careers in Life Sciences

One way that North Carolina hopes to fuel its talent pipeline is by inspiring middle school and high school students to pursue careers in the life sciences. But how do you make life sciences fun and interesting while imparting important scientific and business principles? 

From Research to Pitch: NCSSM Students Learn the Biomanufacturing Process Through NIIMBL bioLOGIC

Students tour biomanufacturing facility

Students at the North Carolina School of Science and Math (NCSSM) participated in NIIMBL bioLOGIC, a project-based biomanufacturing curriculum developed by the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, to learn about the process of developing a biopharmaceutical product from the ground up by researching a health problem, designing a therapy, and pitching it to industry professionals.

“NIIMBL bioLOGIC is an interdisciplinary program that provides students and teachers with the flexibility needed to maximize learning and build durable skills for future success,” said Kelly Ruff, science teacher at Boiling Springs High School.

NIIMBL operates as a public-private partnership, bringing together industry, academia, non-profits, and government agencies to collaborate on technological advancements and workforce training. NIIMBL bioLOGIC introduces advanced technologies, entrepreneurship principles, and education and career pathways into biopharma manufacturing. 

Since 2022, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech) and NIIMBL have partnered to offer NIIMBL bioLOGIC to middle school and high school students across the state. To date, 770 students from 12 schools in 7 counties have benefited from this unique opportunity to learn about North Carolina's life sciences industry. 

NIIMBL bioLOGIC is designed to be flexible, allowing educators to adapt the program's format to fit their needs. Schools have offered it in a variety of ways, including a semester-long class, a weekly after-school club, or a condensed summer intensive.

“NIIMBL is a program that can be implemented in any classroom, with a schedule that fits the needs of the teacher”, said Chase Barnhill, Associate Director of Workforce Development at NCBiotech. “Whether you're an after-school club advisor or a middle or high school teacher, this program is for you.”

For the past four years, NCSSM-Morganton has run the NIIMBL bioLOGIC program. The program selects students by reviewing academic records, essays, and recommendations. The 2026 summer cohort included eight students from sophomore and junior years.

A Four-Phase Model

NIIMBL bioLOGIC introduces students to life sciences concepts, training, and careers through a four-phase approach: 

  • Phase 1: Students work in teams of 2-6 to identify a real-world problem they want to solve
  • Phase 2: Students go on an industry tour and begin to develop their product to solve the problem 
  • Phase 3: Students go on a tour with a college or university partner in their area and begin to create their business model
  • Phase 4: Students develop their final pitch and present to their fellow program participants, as well as industry and university partners

Introducing Students to the Life Sciences Industry and Academic Partners

NCBiotech introduced students to Lenoir-based Exela Pharma Sciences, a company with research and development, biorepository, and sterile injectable manufacturing operations. Exela hosted students for a site tour and helped students finalize their targeted therapies. 

Appalachian State University faculty from the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, the Department of Biology, and the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship also hosted students for a tour and helped them strengthen their final pitches with credible research, while learning how to price, market, and pitch their ideas to investors.

What Students Learned

NIIMBL students experimenting in a lab

Students explored the research, development, and manufacturing realities of biopharmaceuticals, business model development, and marketing. They also experimented with innovative gene editing tools like CRISPR, bacterial transformation, and viral vectors. 

In one hands-on lab, students performed a bacterial transformation experiment to create transgenic bacteria that fluoresced under a black light — a technique that mirrors the process first used to develop human insulin as a biopharmaceutical. While specific activities vary by cohort, this experience illustrates the kind of real-world lab technique students can gain exposure to through the program.

Beyond science, students developed soft skills in collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, research, and communication.

Preparing the Next Generation of Biomanufacturing Talent

Through project-based learning, NIIMBL bioLOGIC challenges students to follow the process from scientific innovation to life-saving therapy. 

The program also builds skills like cross-disciplinary collaboration and professional communication, while connecting students directly to higher education and regional biopharmaceutical networks that can guide their next choice of college major, certifications, or internships.

If you are interested in bringing NIIMBL bioLOGIC to your school, visit here to learn more and explore hosting the program.

scroll back to top of page