Spring Break
New science program on its way
Rie Nakanishi
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: News
Beginning this fall, the SJSU College of Science has established a new professional science master's degree program, the master of medical product development management, sponsored by global health care company Abbott.
"We've been developing this program for almost four years," Stephan Crothers, the director of biomedical initiatives, wrote in an e-mail.
The two-year program is designed for graduate students who are seeking a higher education and career in "clinical research and development, product development, regulatory affairs and project management in medical products companies," according to the medical product development management brochure.
Brad Zaro, an SJSU alumnus and the founder of clinical research organization Clinimetrics, suggested a new program to educate students in preparation for the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, a leading clinical and medical research organization, Crothers said.
Inspired by Zaro, the College of Science saw a need for prepared personnel in the field of clinical trials and medical product development and management, Crothers said.
"We began to investigate the need for such persons with the local employers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostic," he said. "We learned there was a wide spread shortage of such people in the medical products companies."
The new graduate program provides advanced courses on management of the development in medical products, such as new drugs, vaccines, medical diagnostic and devices that are under regulation of the Federal Food and Drug and Drug Administration, according to the same brochure.
Abbott's involvement came after the College of Science presented its new program concept to the management of Abbott Vascular, a branch of the company, in Santa Clara. The company has given $100,000 to the university as a program-establishment expense and two $5,000 grants as scholarships for students, Crothers said.
Representatives from Abbott were unavailable for comment.
"We've been developing this program for almost four years," Stephan Crothers, the director of biomedical initiatives, wrote in an e-mail.
The two-year program is designed for graduate students who are seeking a higher education and career in "clinical research and development, product development, regulatory affairs and project management in medical products companies," according to the medical product development management brochure.
Brad Zaro, an SJSU alumnus and the founder of clinical research organization Clinimetrics, suggested a new program to educate students in preparation for the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, a leading clinical and medical research organization, Crothers said.
Inspired by Zaro, the College of Science saw a need for prepared personnel in the field of clinical trials and medical product development and management, Crothers said.
"We began to investigate the need for such persons with the local employers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostic," he said. "We learned there was a wide spread shortage of such people in the medical products companies."
The new graduate program provides advanced courses on management of the development in medical products, such as new drugs, vaccines, medical diagnostic and devices that are under regulation of the Federal Food and Drug and Drug Administration, according to the same brochure.
Abbott's involvement came after the College of Science presented its new program concept to the management of Abbott Vascular, a branch of the company, in Santa Clara. The company has given $100,000 to the university as a program-establishment expense and two $5,000 grants as scholarships for students, Crothers said.
Representatives from Abbott were unavailable for comment.
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