Dr. Heather S. Duffy to lead Development of Biotechnology Associate Degree Program

September 14, 2022

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology today announced the hiring of Heather S. Duffy, JD, PhD, as Assistant Professor and Chair of Biotechnology. Dr. Duffy will lead the development of the nonprofit college’s Biotechnology program, where students will receive an Associate degree in Biotechnology to fill jobs in the booming biotechnology industry, which is rapidly expanding in Massachusetts.

The two-year program will have an industry-informed curriculum, including molecular biology, general chemistry, organic and biochemistry, chemistry manufacturing and control (CMC), and good lab practices. Upon completion of the program, students will have finalized a “Scientist 1” level of training and be able to perform routine scientific research tasks requiring the application of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria. The goal is to also have transferable credits, so students have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s degree if they want to continue their education. The development of the new program is part of the college’s mission to provide affordable, hands-on curriculum that connects students to high-demand, high-paying careers in technology fields.

Dr. Duffy is an internationally recognized cardiovascular researcher, renowned speaker, and author of over 50 scientific publications. She is known for her creation of trainee career development workshops to enhance her student’s career trajectories. Dr. Duffy earned her PhD in neuroscience from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY. She went on to her first independent faculty position at Columbia University College of Surgeons and Physicians, where she worked on cardiac arrhythmias.  After being recruited to Harvard Medical School, Dr. Duffy became involved in the Harvard Leadership Program. Dr. Duffy then went on to receive her JD degree at Suffolk Law School, focusing on technology transfer, intellectual property protection, and development of discovery for inventors interested in commercializing their discoveries.

Dr. Duffy has been a scientific and business consultant for several years for a number of biotech companies including Shire (now Takeda), Sinon Therapeutics, iTolerance, Inc (a regenerative medicine company), and OcuTerra Therapeutics, among others. Additionally, Dr. Duffy has worked with Mass Bio’s MassConnect program to mentor up-and-coming start-up biotech companies for the past four years.

“I am so excited to start the critical work of creating an affordable and hands-on Biotechnology program where students can participate in this exciting field. From the equipment used to the discoveries made, there is nothing quite like being a scientist,” said Dr. Duffy. “My career has shown me firsthand the beauty of scientific research and problem-solving through experimentation, and I am thrilled to be able to lay the groundwork for our students to join this incredible field of study.”

“It seems that everywhere you look, developers are planning another project that involves lab space. We are enthusiastic about the explosion of these projects because they mean that high-paying biotechnology jobs are coming to Massachusetts,” said Aisha Francis, President and CEO of Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Heather Duffy leading this school to the next frontier of technical education and feel we have an important role to play in ensuring there is a qualified, skilled, and diverse workforce to fill these jobs—everything from management of the laboratory equipment to preparing technical papers and reports on scientific findings.”

The addition of Dr. Duffy to the college’s robust staff builds on the 2021 announcement of a partnership between the college and Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) to develop an Associate degree in biotechnology , a collaboration intended to meet the demand for a well-trained and diverse life sciences workforce. The degree program will be housed at the Nubian Square Life Science Training Center in Roxbury.