For the third consecutive year and with funding from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), the Biotechnology program at the University of Houston (UH) will host STEM students from colleges and universities across Texas and neighboring states for the NIIMBL eXperience @UH in June 2026.
UH is proud to lead one of five 2026 NIIMBL eXperience sites across the United States. The immersive, weeklong, all-expense-paid learning program is designed to introduce visiting students to the biotechnology program at UH and expose them to promising careers in biomanufacturing.
“Biomanufacturing is a multibillion-dollar industry that produces drugs for infectious diseases, different types of cancers, neurological and immunological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and lupus,” said biotechnology professor Albert Flavier. “Biomanufactured enzymes are also used extensively in fuel, food, textile and many other industries. Houston is home to many biotechnology companies, and biomanufacturing continues its rapid expansion in the city and the surrounding areas. It is the city’s goal to be recognized as the third coast of biotechnology.”
“The NIIMBL eXperience @UH gives us a real chance to connect with students whose backgrounds mirror the communities across Houston and the south-central U.S.” said assistant professor of engineering technology Yuheng Lin. “There are about 15 rural-serving colleges and universities in Texas alone, and many of their students are a great match for this program. It’s an effective way to introduce biomanufacturing as a career path and build momentum where it’s needed most.”
“One standout feature of the UH program is the chance for students to visit the Texas Medical Center,” Lin added. “They’ll get a firsthand look at the TMC Innovation Center where startups are pushing the boundaries of future medicine. On top of that, TMC hospitals, such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth Houston, and Houston Methodist, play a major role in clinical research and drug trials, so students will see where cutting-edge science meets real-world impact.”
The program will help participating students develop an appreciation for how varied backgrounds contribute to a dynamic and productive working environment, while exploring the wide range of career paths and employment opportunities available in biomanufacturing.
During visits to several companies in the Greater Houston Area, students will network with industry professionals and gain insights into their roles and career journeys. Experienced instructors from San Jacinto College Biomanufacturing Training Center will provide hands-on training in sterile manufacturing techniques, bioreactor operation for cell culture, and chromatography for protein purification.
“We hope that students who take part in the NIIMBL eXperience @UH will consider returning to pursue graduate studies with us,” said Lin. “If they leave with a strong impression, they’re likely to share that experience with their peers — and that kind of positive word-of-mouth helps strengthen interests in the UH Biotechnology program.”
The program, scheduled for June 7 – 13, 2026, will cover travel, meals, and lodging in a UH student dormitory, and will also provide a $1,000 stipend per participant. Eligible applicants should be college students completing their 1st or 2nd year and have fewer than 60 credits prior to the beginning of the program.
To learn more about the NIIMBL eXperience @UH and to apply, visit https://www.niimbl.org/workforce/niimbl-experience/. Application deadline is February 5, 2026, 5:00 PM (ET).
NIIMBL eXperience @ UH was developed under a Project Award Agreement from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) and financial assistance award 70NANB21H086 from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology.