Sanford Research Provides Donation for Student Scholarships to the Mount Marty University Biotechnology Program

Sanford Research and the Mount Marty University biotechnology program have strengthened their partnership in training the next leaders in the biotechnology industry with a $100,000 donation from Sanford Research to the biotechnology program.

In response to supply chain and biosecurity vulnerabilities identified during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a nationwide push to restore U.S. pharmaceutical production capacity. Doing so requires leaders who have a broad understanding of the industry, from business and legal affairs to biomedical research and regulatory science. Sanford Research has partnered with Mount Marty University to help train these leaders.

The Master of Science in Biotechnology Management program started in August 2023. The degree is a 30-credit virtual curriculum taught by current industry professionals. To support the experiential learning elements of the program, Sanford provides students with hands-on biotechnology experience through internships and research opportunities.

"The real-world training provided by Sanford Research aligns perfectly with the program's focus on passing first-hand experience and professional networks from current industry professionals to its next generation of leaders," said Mark Brown, Ph.D., program executive director.

"We are very grateful for this partnership with Sanford and their dedication to our students and their success,” said Marc Long, Ph.D., president of Mount Marty University. “The need for biotechnology leaders in our region and nation is important, and we are excited to be able to provide education, experience and opportunities to these students."

Now, in the program's fourth cohort, Sanford has increased its support for these future leaders by providing $100,000 in scholarships to ensure that financial obstacles do not define who can aspire to join the ranks of the industry's future trailblazers.

"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Mount Marty's biotechnology program,” said Jill Weimer, Ph.D. senior director for therapeutic development at Sanford Research. “This initiative reflects our commitment to empowering future leaders in biotechnology and ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of their passion and potential."

Mount Marty's program is committed to training future leaders for a wide range of industry opportunities. To achieve this, they recruit students whose disciplinary backgrounds range from business administration to science and engineering.

To learn more about the Graduate Biotechnology Management Program and Sanford's Biotechnology Scholarships, visit mountmarty.edu.

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About Mount Marty University

Founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic, Benedictine institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, recreation management, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.

About Sanford Health

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America's heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves 1.4 million patients and nearly 200,000 health plan members across 250,000 square miles. The integrated health system has 45 hospitals, 211 clinic locations, more than 160 Good Samaritan Society senior living centers, 2,900 Sanford physicians and advanced practice providers, 540 active clinical trials, and nine world clinic locations around the globe. Learn more about Sanford Health's commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.​