The WKU Biotechnology Center is part of Western's Applied Research and Technology Program (ARTP), recognized in 1998 as a 'Program of Distinction' among Kentucky's public universities. The goal of the Biotechnology Center is to apply molecular approaches to studying basic and applied research questions in the biological sciences. To accomplish our research goals, we depend heavily on motivated student researchers to conduct scientific experiments and analyze data.

In response to this need, the Biotechnology Center has initiated the Biotechnology Certification Program. Each semester students are selected to participate in an accelerated laboratory training course, learning many of the essential benchtop procedures used in biological research labs.The program is designed to provide Western students with the skills and experience to enter the research laboratory of a Biotech Center faculty member and rapidly generate potentially publishable data.

Instrument and technique specific workshops are held regularly each year in the Core Facility to help students and faculty acquire additional skills needed to support their research. This continuing education format help studnets build on their skills learned in the initial certification course.

The skills the students develop in the Biotechnology Center program will benefit them in their coursework, make them more competitive for jobs and graduate assistantships upon graduation, and to see firsthand what being a professional scientist is really like. You can register the training by clicking the registration.

If you are interested, you need to complete the Online Application Form (2009 deadline has passed)