Grant: Collaborative Research and Training Experience

Our bilingual CREATE program on INterdisciplinary Training in BIOmedical TECHnologies, INTBIOTECH targets the NSERC priority area of Manufacturing, and focuses on developing new materials with improved properties for Biomedical applications. INTBIOTECH has been specifically designed for targeting under-represented groups and minorities in Canada. This CREATE program will offer an integrated and comprehensive training to the next generation of Interdisciplinary Biomedical Technology Scientists, which includes internships in private and governmental sectors as well as international exchanges with top institutions. Further, in collaboration with private and government sectors, as well as our national and international collaborators, INTBIOTECH will provide interdisciplinary skills, right from the outset, in designing, manufacturing, and testing functional materials for biomedical uses. To achieve those goals, INTBIOTECH's will incorporate 21st century skills training, including mentorship, EDI training, collaboration in interdisciplinary environments, science communication, digital literacy, project management, productive meeting management, teamwork, learning skills, leadership, data visualization, science advice, resilience, and mindfulness. As an integral part of INTBIOTECH's trainees' formation, we will also provide training in entrepreneurship, bioethics, intellectual property, and regulatory norms including risk assessment. Unique to this program will be the use of innovative teaching and learning approaches for optimizing interdisciplinary learning with researchers of international stature, combined with iterative educational innovation. To do so, we will leverage modern learning theories, high impact pedagogies, and available educational research on interdisciplinary environments, which is currently underused, particularly at the graduate level. Further, we will increase our findings' impacts to the greater scientific community by making our training materials available as Open Education Resources, such as eCampusOntario. INTBIOTECH training program brings together a diverse team of Scientists who put equity, diversity, and inclusion at the forefront of their research activities.