Interested in biotech? Here are some career paths in Delaware

So, you want to get into biotech?

Whether you or a young person in your life are looking for the best high school pathways, undergrad pathways, community college programs, advanced degrees or workforce development initiatives, this roundup will help guide you toward a biotech career in Delaware.

What is biotech?

Short for biological technology, biotech the technology of living things. It includes medical technology like pharmaceuticals and gene editing; environmental technology such as green energy; and agricultural technology including sustainable farming practices.

Why biotech?

If you want a career where you help people and the environment, biotech is an industry that focuses on both. And there is a wide range of job settings, from wet labs to farms.

Biotech in Delaware

Delaware has long been a science hub as the home of DuPont, a chemical company that has a strong involvement in such biotech development as energy generation, polymers and food. Other biotech companies in Delaware include DuPont spinoff Chemours, Agilent, Incyte, Prelude Therapeutics, CorriXR Therapeutics and Versogen (to name just a few).

Biotech is growing in the state, according to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership.

“Biotech IS the future of Delaware,” the economic development agency states on its website. “From biotech startups and agricultural biotech to research organizations supporting innovation in pharmaceuticals, biomaterials and catalyst industries, Delaware’s vibrant science economy is growing.”

High school biotech Pathways

Delaware public high schools have Pathways, a program that combines academics with workforce development for all students in a range of areas, including biotech. If you or a young person in your life are K-12 and interested in choosing a biotech program in high school, these are your Pathway options:

Biomedical Science Pathway

This pathway prepares students for careers in human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology and public health. It’s offered at:

• Brandywine High School
• Conrad Schools of Science
• Glasgow High School
• Laurel Senior High School
• Odyssey Charter

Environmental and Natural Resource Science Pathway

This one prepares students for jobs such as environmental engineer, environmental science and protection technician and geological and petroleum technician. It’s offered at:

• Dover High School
• Thomas McKean High School
• Seaford Senior High School
• William Penn High School

Plant Science Pathway

This offering can prepare students for careers in agronomy, biotechnology, forestry and soil science. It’s available at:

• Appoquinimink High School
• Caesar Rodney High School
• Cape Henlopen High School
• Christiana High School
• Delmar Senior High School
• Lake Forest High School
• Laurel Senior High School
• Thomas McKean High School
• Middletown High School
• Milford High School
• Smyrna High School
• William Penn High School
• Woodbridge High School
• Odessa High School

Vo-Tech School District offerings:

• Delcastle Technical High School (biomedical sciences)
• Hodgson Vo Tech High School (nursing technology)
• Howard High School of Technology (engine technology, nursing technology)
• St. Georges Technical High School (biotechnology, athletic healthcare, nursing technology)

Colleges

• Delaware State University College of Agriculture, Science and Technology (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
• Delaware Technical Community College: programs in agriculture, energy and engineering technologies, health and science (associate, bachelor’s)
• University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
• University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean and Environment (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
• University of Delaware College of Engineering (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
• University of Delaware College of Health Sciences (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
• Wilmington University College of Health Professions & Natural Sciences (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)

Workforce development

• Bioscience Workforce
• Forward Delaware (healthcare)
• The RISE program (healthcare)

Grants

• Delaware Bioscience Center for Advanced Technology Grant Program
• Delaware Lab Space Grant program
• Delaware Site Readiness Fund
• EDGE grant (STEM)
• First Fund @ Innovation Space

Pitch competitions

• Spark Factory @ Innovation Space
• Swim with the Sharks
• Hen Hatch (must have at least one University of Delaware alum founder)

Accelerators

• The Science Inc Accelerator @ Innovation Space
• Bronze Valley Venture Lab Delaware
• Delaware Coastal Society accelerator

Organizations

• ChristianaCare
• Delaware BioScience Association
• Delaware Biotechnology Institute
• Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance
• Delaware STEM Council
• Delaware Technology Park
• DuPont Experimental Station
• Innovation Space
• Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub
• Tech Council of Delaware
• West Side Healthcare

Did we miss anything? Let us know at holly@technical.ly and we’ll update as necessary.