Student Funding

The Engineered Biomaterials Training Program (EBTP)

The Engineered Biomaterials Training Program (EBTP) is a National Research Service Award (NRSA) Pre-doctoral Institutional Training Program of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health. The goal of the EBTP is to provide an interdisciplinary education for graduate students in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering and Materials Science Engineering by integrating materials science, surface engineering, molecular biology, nanotechnology, chemistry, chemical engineering and medicine. The training opportunities in the program encompass aspects of the engineering disciplines (Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Bioengineering and Electrical Engineering), and the biological and physical sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Molecular Biology).

The intent of the EBTP is to develop competent and well-rounded biomaterials scientists and engineers. These individuals will be targeted for the medical device industry, the diagnostics/biosensor industry, academia or medical schools. The engineering focus of the training program aims toward a new generation of biomaterials where the engineer is "in charge" of the nature and course of the biological reaction, in contrast to past generations of biomaterials that were designed for mechanics and physical properties. When the biomaterials we use now are implanted in an organism, the biological reaction takes its course with little control from the designer. We feel it is imperative that the designer control healing, angiogenesis, infection, etc. Students in the EBTP will be expected to be knowledgeable in the background and history of biomaterials, but also be in touch with the modern developments in the field (molecular approaches, surface design, gene delivery, controlled release, etc.).

The EBTP funds 6-8 pre-doctoral trainee positions. EBTP trainees are enrolled in the Dept. of Bioengineering (BioE), the Dept. of Chemical Engineering (ChemE), the Dept. of Electrical Engineering (EE), the Dept. of Chemistry (Chem), or the Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). The EBTP is focused on Ph.D. graduate students that have completed at least one year of their graduate studies.

In the EBTP, trainees complete a series of core courses in basic engineering, biology, mathematics, materials science and chemistry in accordance with individual departmental guidelines. Trainees also complete specific courses in biomaterials engineering including courses such as molecular and cellular bioengineering, molecular recognition and design, molecular materials, biomaterials, and cellular interactions with biomaterials. Trainees conduct thesis research under the guidance of the training program faculty that emphasizes the application of engineering principals to the design and development of biomaterials that exploit specific biological recognition mechanisms. Trainees in the Engineered Biomaterials program will learn to control biological reactions at interfaces with precision, to elucidate the biochemical/biological pathways that turn on healing and reconstruction, and to evolve implementable strategies to modify the surfaces of biomaterials and medical devices so they are recognized by the body and turn on healing and defined bioreactions. In addition, trainees are exposed to the broader issues in biomaterials engineering and related disciplines via participation in research seminars, journal clubs, and attendance at national scientific meetings. The trainee's educational experience is further enhanced by opportunities to obtain experience in teaching, opportunities for industrial internships, and by student workshops and seminars on issues of interest such as career opportunities.

Trainees are selected by an advisory committee from highly qualified graduate students in the departments of ChemE, BioE, EE, Chem, and MSE who have; 1) passed the Qualifying Examination for the Ph.D. and, 2) who have begun a research project with one of the EBTP Faculty. This typically occurs after a student has completed 1 year of graduate study. Selection of trainees for appointment to the training program is based on academic record, faculty recommendations (at least two letters required), and a description of proposed research. Eligible candidates for the EBTP must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States. Trainees can participate in the training program for a maximum period of 3 years, however, 2 years of support is more common.

Students interested in the EBTP should contact:

Dr. Buddy Ratner
University of Washington
Department of Bioengineering
ratner@uweb.engr.washington.edu