Schrödinger and Two City University of New York Colleges Awarded $1M NSF Grant to Increase Access to Computational Molecular Modeling Education
September 28 2023 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Schr�dinger (Nasdaq: SDGR), whose physics-based computational
platform is transforming the way therapeutics and materials are
discovered, and two City University of New York (CUNY)
institutions, New York City College of Technology (City Tech) and
LaGuardia Community College (LaGuardia), today announced that they
have been awarded a three-year, $1M grant from the National Science
Foundation to develop experiential learning opportunities for
students in the field of computational molecular modeling. The
grant will help increase access for underrepresented students to
industry-leading technology and paid internships to prepare them
for careers in drug discovery.
Schr�dinger and two academic collaborators City Tech and
LaGuardia will use the funding to launch a collaborative
initiative, Introducing Molecular Modeling Experiences to
underRepresented StudEnts (IMMERSE). IMMERSE seeks to increase
entry points into drug discovery careers by enhancing student
participation at multiple levels on the pathway from community
college to a four-year institution to the workforce.
As part of the IMMERSE initiative, Dr. Katherine Bay from
Schr�dinger’s education team will collaborate with Biology
Professors Dr. Mai Zahran and Dr. Armando Solis from City Tech and
Chemistry Professor Dr. Ian Alberts from LaGuardia to redesign
course curricula to integrate current industry-driven practices and
cloud-based laboratory exercises, as well as provide paid
internship programs for underrepresented students in STEM. The
three-year grant will support approximately 480 STEM associate
degree students from LaGuardia, up to 240 Biomedical Informatics
Bachelor's degree students from City Tech, and 30 Schr�dinger
interns.
“Schr�dinger has a strong track record of building educational
initiatives to support the growth and development of computational
modelers at all stages of their career, and we are thrilled to
launch this new initiative,” stated Katherine Bay, Ph.D., a leader
within Schr�dinger’s education team. “The IMMERSE initiative is
designed to provide access, opportunity, and empowerment to diverse
groups of students from CUNY to better equip the next generation of
computational scientists with expertise and long-term connections
that can lead to successful careers in molecular modeling.”
“City Tech's Biomedical Informatics program is among the first
in the nation to offer a truly integrated Biomedical Informatics
degree at the undergraduate level. Recognized by leaders in the
field, the curriculum is crafted to provide comprehensive training
in the use of vast biomedical databases in healthcare,
pharmaceutical, biotech, and research settings,” stated Mai Zahran,
Ph.D., Associate Professor at the New York City College of
Technology and the lead Principal Investigator on the grant. “The
IMMERSE initiative is a unique opportunity to offer students a
direct path from their associate degree to baccalaureate degree and
bridge the gap between classroom experiences and industry-relevant
questions. We are very excited to partner with LaGuardia Community
College and Schr�dinger to help talented and diverse students
acquire computational modeling skills that can lead to long,
successful careers in science.”
“LaGuardia’s mission is to educate and graduate one of the
most diverse student populations in the country. The college is
renowned for providing experiential learning to traditionally
disadvantaged students in order to enhance their innovative
capabilities concerning industry-related issues,” stated Ian
Alberts, Ph.D., Professor at LaGuardia Community College and
co-Principal Investigator on the grant. “The IMMERSE initiative
affords an unprecedented environment to empower associate degree
students with molecular modeling skills that are key for the
workforce. We are delighted to work closely with City Tech and
Schr�dinger to improve educational pathways and provide career
opportunities in the biotechnology area.”
About Schr�dinger Schr�dinger is transforming the way
therapeutics and materials are discovered. Schr�dinger has
pioneered a physics-based computational platform that enables
discovery of high-quality, novel molecules for drug development and
materials applications more rapidly and at lower cost compared to
traditional methods. The software platform is licensed by
biopharmaceutical and industrial companies, academic institutions,
and government laboratories around the world. Schr�dinger’s
multidisciplinary drug discovery team also leverages the software
platform to advance a portfolio of collaborative and proprietary
programs to address unmet medical needs.
Founded in 1990, Schr�dinger has approximately 800 employees and
is engaged with customers and collaborators in more than 70
countries. To learn more, visit www.schrodinger.com, follow us on
LinkedIn and Instagram, or visit our blog, Extrapolations.com.
For more information about Schr�dinger’s education programs and
corporate sustainability initiatives, please visit the Training
section of our website and read our 2022 Corporate Sustainability
Report.
About New York City College of Technology (City Tech)
City Tech, located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Downtown
Brooklyn, is the designated college of technology within the City
University of New York (CUNY). Founded in 1946, today City Tech is
a national model for industry-aligned education and an engine for
economic mobility, offering 58 cutting-edge associate and
baccalaureate degree programs spanning the technologies of art and
design, architecture, biomedical informatics, business, teacher
education, computer systems, engineering, entertainment, health
care, hospitality, human services, legal studies, and the liberal
arts and sciences. As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and
Asian American/Native American Pacific Island Serving Institution
(AANAPISI), City Tech is committed to providing broad access to
high quality technological and professional education for a diverse
urban population. To learn more, visit www.citytech.cuny.edu.
About LaGuardia Community College LaGuardia Community
College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long
Island City, Queens offers more than 50 degrees and certificates,
and more than 65 continuing education programs to educate New
Yorkers seeking new skills and careers. As an institution of the
City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy
of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor
beloved for his advocacy of underserved populations. Since 1971,
LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced
the socioeconomic mobility of students while providing them with
access to a high quality, affordable college education. To learn
more, visit http://www.laguardia.edu/home.
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Schr�dinger Contacts: Allie Nicodemo (media) Schr�dinger,
Inc. allie.nicodemo@schrodinger.com 617-356-2325
Matthew Luchini (investors) Schr�dinger, Inc.
matthew.luchini@schrodinger.com 917-719-0636
City Tech Media Contact: Caroline Chamberlin Hellman,
Ph.D. Interim Special Assistant to the President City Tech, CUNY
caroline.hellman72@citytech.cuny.edu 845-641-8897
LaGuardia Media Contacts: Elizabeth Streich Public
Relations Manager office: (718) 482-6131 cell (347) 229-8674
estreich@lagcc.cuny.edu
Manuel (Manny) L. Romero, Ed.D. Vice President for
Communications and External Affairs office: (718) 482-5061 cell:
(480) 235-3366 mlromero@lagcc.cuny.edu
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