UB Offers Life Sciences Certificate Program

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- As the biomedical industry develops, workers need knowledge of the regulatory environment in which life sciences products, medical devices and implants are developed, manufactured and sold. Strengthening this knowledge base among life science industry workers is the basis for a new certificate program, "Regulatory Environment of Medical Devices and Implants" (REMeDI) offered by the Division of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University at Buffalo.

With a goal of developing a biomedical industry workforce in Buffalo Niagara, the REMeDI certificate program emphasizes regulatory requirements for the development and sale of biomedical devices and other products from life sciences and biotechnology, as well as principles of materials science and engineering as they are applied to biomedical devices and drug-delivery systems.

The courses that comprise the REMeDI program include foundation courses on the U.S. health care system and two new courses: "Introduction to Medical Devices and Implants" and "Regulatory Aspects of Medical Devices." The certificate program concludes with a choice of a capstone course, either "Biomaterials Science of Cell/Surface Phenomena" or "Evaluation of Biomedical Materials."

The first course in the certificate program, MFC 250: Introduction to Health Care in the U.S., will be offered from May 21 and through June 29.

The REMeDI certificate program courses will be taught by experts recognized by the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering as leaders in the field, and who have long-standing research and development relationships with industry.

The academic director of the program is Anne E. Meyer, Ph.D., research associate professor in the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, and director of the UB site of the National Science Foundation-designated Industry/University Center for Biosurfaces.

David Tyler, a business development manager with the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, says the time is right to launch a life sciences certificate program.

"We work with companies that are looking to start up, expand and grow in the Buffalo-Niagara region. In order for us to grow this industry within our region, we need to have a skilled and available

workforce to meet the unique needs of this industry," Tyler says. "The REMeDI program will be a valuable resource for our community."

Adds Meyer: "We have many small medical products companies in our region and growing numbers of medium- and large-sized companies. All of these companies need talented, educated workers to make their businesses successful in national and international markets."

For more information or to enroll in the program, contact the Division of Continuing and Professional Studies at (716) 829-3131 or mfcadmin@buffalo.edu.