Brown’s Biotechnology Masters Program marks new milestone in student success

With millions of dollars invested into biotechnology across New England, Jacquelyn Schell PhD’12 understands what’s at stake for her students’ careers. As director of Brown’s Masters Program in Biotechnology, she presided over its largest graduation cohort ever this past year at 50 students, and she wants to ensure the classroom-to-commercial pipeline remains at the heart of the program.

“You will not find another master’s program among our competitors that offers in-depth thesis research alongside a co-op experience,” she says. “Students not only join a lab and become immersed in their research, they’ll have a chance to work directly in the biotech industry for six months with companies like Pfizer, Merck, and others.”

Schell stepped into her role directing the program in 2012 under the previous leadership of Jeffrey Morgan, PhD, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and of engineering, when it enrolled only nine students. She assumed full leadership in 2021, and the program has since grown to 150 students.

The growth of Brown’s program coincides with greater investments in Rhode Island’s biotechnology sector. The Rhode Island State Health Laboratory will be opening its new 80,000-square-foot space at 150 Richmond St. in late 2025, with Brown investing $13 million over 10 years to support Ocean State Labs, the state’s first commercial life sciences start-up incubator. The William A. and Ami Kuan Danoff Life Sciences Laboratories, a seven-story, 300,000-square-foot facility for life sciences research, is projected to open in 2027 and recently celebrated a topping-off ceremony.

The program’s curriculum continues to evolve alongside the industry, Schell says. Guided by Morgan’s previous leadership, the curriculum leaned into a greater focus on business aspects alongside science and research. Concepts like intellectual property, commercialization, and regulatory practices have become vital to students’ success, Schell says. A six-month co-op that is intensely hands-on is, in some ways, just as important as the degree itself.

“We have brought on new members of our staff to oversee different aspects like finance and industry outreach to help students land jobs and grow our partners in the biotech industry,” she says. “It’s important to understand what the industry wants, and we are going to need to keep adding support and services so we can continue to be successful.”

Adam Crego ’10, PhD, the program’s new associate director of industry outreach and alumni engagement, describes a three-pillar approach to his position, consisting of building strategic industry partnerships, equipping students for industry careers, and cultivating a strong alumni network. As Brown diversifies its portfolio of partnerships, the team places increased emphasis on aligning company needs with students’ skills

“I don’t want to bring our students into companies facing uncertainty or layoffs, so we do a lot of due diligence,” Crego says. “Does this company have a healthy balance sheet? Can they raise funding effectively? Can they be supportive of our students and their long-term goals?”

Crego also says Brown has its own product to sell biotech companies: the students themselves. Crego and other faculty members help students craft their own narratives to ensure students are a good match overall.

For Cali Boustani ScM’25, her degree led her to a position as a research analyst and later an associate at SIM IP, an investment management firm with a focus on intellectual property-based financing. Boustani pivoted to biotechnology after her initial passion for medical school faded.

She credits both faculty and the biotech master’s program’s curriculum for opening her eyes to companies needing scientifically minded consultancy.

“Brown has some of the most grounded people I’ve ever met. Without their encouragement or networking, I wouldn’t have my current job,” Boustani says.

Benjamin Troth ScM’26 also found that medical school wasn’t a good fit. He opted to use his experience in physics and his love of biology, particularly neuroscience, and enrolled in Brown’s program. His business thesis is based on a start-up spun out of Brown that utilizes AI solutions to help patients manage their pain.

“An important thing for me has been the diversity in expertise at Brown,” Troth says. “You see up-close how different sciences can apply to different sectors like pharmaceuticals, but also how to look at them from a business perspective.” 

Throth hopes to run a start-up of his own, but understands he has much to learn even in his final year in the program. 

“This program sets up an incredible pathway for students,” Troth says. “I’m not sure of anywhere else where I can get the kind of experience in commercialization and science the way I’ve gotten here.”