The NRT Program in Soft Materials for Life Sciences (SMLS) engages faculty and students at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst in exploring a new graduate education model for training students in T-shaped skills--capability for breadth across professional skill areas and other technical areas, and depth in one area of specialization--that will serve master’s and doctoral students well in the science and engineering workforce after graduation. The program aims to directly impact 74 students in the disciplines of polymer science and engineering, immunology, food science, and several engineering fields through a multi-year training program. The research theme of applying polymeric materials to technical challenges in the life sciences such as drug delivery methods and personalized health monitoring devices enables an excellent ground for meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration. The educational program features an intensive "Year Two Experience" that combines an interdisciplinary course in technical topics related to the research theme, professional development workshops and training activities, and interdisciplinary lab training modules. Students also take a graduate course in scientific and engineering management, attend a seminar series featuring invited speakers and NRT trainee presentations, and take an elective associated with the program.

Soft materials for life sciences: A National Science Foundation Graduate Traineeship Program

255th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.