A nonprofit that’s helping train the future drug manufacturing workforce is opening its new space at the mixed-use Allston Labworks campus.
BioBuilder Educational Foundation is bringing its life sciences educational programming to Western Avenue in Allston with its new Learning Lab. The space officially opened on Friday and will soon begin offering programs on topics like biomanufacturing and synthetic biology.
Natalie Kuldell, founder and executive director of BioBuilder, said the nonprofit is focused on giving young people a “first chance” at a career in biotechnology and mainly works with high schoolers.
“BioBuilder is working hard to make sure that students know that there is a place for them in science, even if they don’t want to go on to college and further scientific education,” Kuldell said.
BioBuilder has already opened local Learning Labs in LabCentral and at GinkgoBioworks. The nonprofit plans to offer more of its biomanufacturing and skills-oriented curriculum in Allston, Kuldell said.
The 2,000-square-foot Allston space is outfitted with classroom and lab space, including more than $630,000 worth of equipment funded by the Massachusetts Life Science Center’s (MLSC) STEM Equipment and Professional Development Grant Program.
Developer King Street Properties broke ground on Allston Labworks in October 2022 and topped off the project in August 2023. The 585,000 square foot, 4.3-acre campus features three buildings that include 534,000 square feet of lab space, 20,000 square feet of retail, 35 residential units and community spaces open to the public.
BioBuilder spokesperson Angela Christoforos said the official opening of the Allston Labworks campus will be later this year, and that this marks the completion of the second of three buildings within the campus.
BioBuilder has already opened local Learning Labs in LabCentral and at Ginkgo Bioworks. The nonprofit plans to offer more of its biomanufacturing and skills-oriented curriculum in Allston, Kuldell said.
From Hannah Green at Boston Business Journal