Landmark Endowment for Future of Biopharma
A new era of partnership has begun between the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering – Carolina-South Atlantic Chapter (ISPE-CaSA) and NC State University’s Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) with the unveiling of a generous $100,000 endowment. Announced Tuesday during the ISPE-CaSA 32nd Annual Tech Show, this commitment reflects the organizations’ shared mission in cultivating a strong and sustainable workforce for the biopharmaceutical industry.
“We are deeply grateful for this gift from ISPE-CaSA,” said Gary Gilleskie, Executive Director of BTEC, “it will leave a legacy that will help shape the future of biopharmaceutical manufacturing for years to come.” This is a significant milestone in BTEC’s history as it marks the first university endowment supporting the center’s mission.
Gilleskie attended the annual Tech Show to receive the gift from ISPE-CaSA Chapter President Chris Smith. After becoming president in August 2024, Smith said he “immediately recommended NC State for the available charitable funds and everyone agreed BTEC’s mission was a perfect fit.” The two organizations have worked together for more than 15 years supporting NC State’s ISPE Student Chapter (opens in a new window) which focuses on strengthening the relationships between local industry and university students.
The endowment, held in perpetuity, will create a scholarship to be awarded to members of the NC State ISPE Student Chapter who have enrolled in at least one of BTEC’s undergraduate- or graduate-level classes, and are seeking a career in the pharmaceutical industry. “Pharma relies on diverse talent from science and engineering to business, law, and beyond,” explained Smith. “We wanted our support to reach students from a wide variety of academic backgrounds.”
The longevity of an endowed scholarship like this will make a difference for countless generations of students and reaffirms the importance of partnerships in shaping future leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry. Gilleskie explained, “support from partners like ISPE-CaSA is a win-win. It eases the financial burden that students face, enabling them to focus on their studies and career opportunities, and it strengthens the biomanufacturing industry as a whole by ensuring a pipeline of talented professionals.”
Invest in the future of biopharma with BTEC by donating online or contact Jennifer Pancorbo (jennifer_pancorbo@ncsu.edu) to start a conversation about financial gifts or equipment donations. Additionally, NC State’s Day of Giving is coming up next month on March 26th, 2025 — stay tuned for more information.
About The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering Carolina-South Atlantic Chapter (ISPE-CaSA):
Since its inception in 1991, the ISPE-CaSA Chapter has expanded its reach to include its current seven-state territory. Today, the CaSA Chapter is among the largest within ISPE, a nonprofit global association serving its members by leading scientific, technical, and regulatory advancement throughout the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle. ISPE-CaSA serves more than 1,200 members within the pharmaceutical, biotech, and life sciences disciplines, providing access to a variety of educational resources, networking and socializing opportunities, and professional development programs.
For more information, visit ispe-casa.org (opens in a new window) or contact Meredith Houston at executivedirector@ispe-casa.org.
About NC State University’s Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC):
BTEC has been a trusted provider of biomanufacturing education and hands-on training to university students and industry professionals since 2007. BTEC fuels the biomanufacturing industry by training the next generation of working professionals, hosting seminars and events, offering bioprocess services and more.
For more information, visit About BTEC or contact Leslie Lewis at leslie_lewis@ncsu.edu.
This post was originally published in BTEC News.
