On Tuesday, November 4, Middlesex Community College held dual ribbon cuttings for the new robotics and life sciences labs. Celebrating the opening of the new labs in Henderson Hall on MCC’s Bedford Campus, speakers included Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Economic Development Eric Paley and representatives from Mass Life Sciences Center (MLSC), Insulet Corporation and Ultragenyx.
“Robotics and automation and the life sciences are two of the most in-demand fields in the state,” said Phil Sisson, MCC’s President. “At MCC, our goal is to offer comprehensive workforce training that prepares our students for immediate entry into stable and well-paying jobs. We offer hands-on opportunities that equip students with the skills and real-world experiences they need to be successful, combined with strong partnerships with organizations across the state. Thank you to Secretary Paley, MLSC President and CEO Taylor, and representatives from Insulet and Ultragenyx for joining us in celebrating the opening of our incredible new spaces and for their continued support of MCC’s programs.”
“Developing our workforce is essential to sustaining Massachusetts’ global leadership in life sciences innovation,” Economic Development Secretary Paley said. “By investing in programs that connect people to high-value careers, we’re helping them gain the training they need to succeed while also ensuring that our companies can continue to grow right here in the Commonwealth.”
During the event, MLSC also celebrated more than $4 million in MLSC Pathmaker awards, helping to create more than 400 life sciences training opportunities across Massachusetts. Middlesex received $429,221 to support 72 training seats. Secretary Paley announced the awards during the event, celebrating new labs supported by $1.5 million in grants from the MLSC. MCC’s life sciences labs in biotechnology were also supported with federal support from Congressman Seth Moulton of nearly $400,000 to purchase new lab equipment.
The two new facilities include the Henderson Hall Life Sciences Center and the Robotics and Automation Training Lab. Together, they expand MCC’s ability to deliver industry-aligned training that will prepare students to enter the life sciences workforce. Additionally, the Robotics and Automation Training Lab will serve as the hub for MCC’s PathmakerTECH program in advanced manufacturing and medical device automation.
"The work happening here at Middlesex Community College truly exemplifies the mission of the Pathmaker program,” said Kirk Taylor, MD, MLSC President and CEO. “Through the expansion of hands-on training programs and investment in cutting-edge equipment and facilities, we’re creating pathways for Massachusetts residents to gain industry experience and step into impactful careers in the life sciences.”
Representatives from MLSC, Insulet, and MCC’s Corporate Education and Training division marked the opening of MCC’s new robotics lab. In this space, students in the college’s noncredit Pathmaker program and for credit engineering programs gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment.
“We have over 23 graduates of the program working in Insulet, some of whom have been there long enough now to have received one or two promotions, have moved up into new parts of the organization, continuing to grow and advance their skills within our company,” said Tyler Cissell, Vice President Global Operations, Insulet Corporation. "This program combines people with ambition, desire, wanting to get into the medical device manufacturing or life sciences space and gives them an avenue to connect with companies like Insulet who are in need of this particular skillset.”
Representatives from MCC’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) faculty, staff, students and alumni were joined by representatives from MLSC and Ultragenyx to highlight the college’s new life sciences and biotechnology labs. The lab is an expansion of the college’s biotechnology offerings and spaces in Lowell. Megan Guros, an MCC biotech alumna and current Ultragenyx employee from Andover, talked about the impact the college had on her education and career.
“Prior to making the leap of faith to continue my education, I had convinced myself that the gap between where I was and where I decided to go was simply too wide to bridge due to my lifelong battle with rare disease,” Guros said. “I was wrong and MCC proved it to me – one day, one class, one supportive interaction at a time. These new laboratories represent something profound. They are spaces where barriers dissolve, where students who may not believe they belong in STEM fields will discover that they absolutely do. Where those who face setbacks will find second chances, where curiosity meets hands-on skills, mentorship meets ambition, and potential becomes reality. The Bedford Life Sciences Center we celebrate today represents an investment in potential, the potential of thousands of students who will walk through these doors in pursuit of careers that will touch countless lives.”