Collaboration helps develop North Carolina students and the workforce
EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 19, 2024) – Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University today announced the opening of the Merck Biotechnology Learning Center at Gateway Research Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The Merck Biotechnology Learning Center is a 4,025-square-foot facility with classroom space, process labs and state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. At the Learning Center, students and Merck trainees experience hands-on learning and advanced discovery opportunities to enhance their academic programs and training for biotechnology-related careers.
“With the opening of the Merck Biotechnology Learning Center and our collaboration with NC A&T, we are embarking on an important journey,” said Sanat Chattopadi, executive vice president and president, Manufacturing, Merck. “The Learning Center is more than just a building — it’s an incubator for innovation, a pathway for discovery and a lighthouse to guide the next generation of thinkers, problem solvers and leaders who will drive our industry forward.”
The grand opening included a joint celebration featuring senior executives from both Merck and A&T, current and former A&T students, and local government officials, including North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders. Attendees were treated to tours of the laboratory and classroom facilities to experience the immersive learning opportunities firsthand.
Merck and A&T, one of the nation’s leading historically Black doctoral research universities, developed the collaboration based on shared values of innovation, community engagement and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Merck and A&T’s joint effort supports the growing need for biotechnology training and education in North Carolina and highlights the importance of collaboration between companies and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in developing a diverse workforce in biotechnology.
“The Merck Biotechnology Learning Center provides NC A&T students with an opportunity to understand what a career in biotechnology is like,” said Amanda Taylor, vice president and plant manager of Merck Manufacturing in Durham, N.C. “We already have several outstanding NC A&T graduates working at our Durham site and are experiencing significant manufacturing growth throughout North Carolina. Through our collaboration with NC A&T, we are developing new and innovative ways to build a talent pipeline in the Triad region and beyond.”
The opening of the Merck Biotechnology Learning Center marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Merck and A&T, as the two organizations partner on several initiatives to help advance students’ capabilities, including curriculum development, speaker series and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) community outreach.
“We are pleased to announce this groundbreaking collaboration with Merck that heralds a new era of innovation in biotechnology education,” said Dr. Tonya Smith Jackson, vice president and provost for Academic Affairs. “This partnership signifies the connection between academia and industry and our commitment to excellence, innovation and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Not only will we provide our students with unparalleled access to cutting-edge laboratories, but they will also receive invaluable mentorship from Merck experts, ensuring they develop as industry leaders ready to shape the future of biotechnology. The Merck Biotechnology Learning Center will serve as a hub for learning and discovery, marking the beginning of a collaboration that will jointly advance the missions of Merck and NC A&T.”
Merck has been a part of the North Carolina community for more than 40 years. Today, nearly 1,500 Merck colleagues work at North Carolina facilities in Durham and Wilson, including many A&T alumni. A&T’s College of Engineering produces the largest number of African-American engineering graduates in the United States.
