Press Releases

Wolfe Laboratories Develops Workforce Through Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s Internship Challenge Program

WATERTOWN, MA – (BUSINESS WIRE) – June 03, 2011 – Wolfe Laboratories, Inc. (WLI), an integrated early development services company located in Watertown, MA, is participating in the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s Internship Challenge program for the summer of 2011. In its third year of involvement, WLI will provide hands-on experience to four full-time interns as part of the workforce development program.

“Since its inception, the Internship Challenge program has made a positive impact, both for our interns and the company,” said Janet Wolfe, Ph.D., President and Founder of WLI. “We are grateful to the Center for connecting us with talented young professionals who bring fresh energy and ideas, and we are passionate about investing in the future of biopharma’s talent pipeline by providing real-world training.”

"Participating in an internship at WLI through the MLSC Internship Challenge program was a very valuable experience,” said Jimmy Tran, a 2009 graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst with degrees in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. He was hired by Merrimack Pharmaceuticals following his internship, where he is currently an Assistant Bioprocess Scientist. “It was at WLI where I was introduced to many analytical techniques and instruments such as HPLC and LC/MS. That knowledge definitely led me to my first full-time job. I can truly say that WLI was a stepping stone to where I am now. I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to work at WLI and to be a proud participant in the Center’s Internship Challenge program."

Former intern Michael Pepe called his internship at WLI “nothing short of fantastic.” A 2009 graduate of Boston University with a degree in Chemistry, he is currently a QC Analyst at OPK Biotech.

“It's difficult enough to find a job at any juncture, but even more difficult when you're a recent college graduate with limited industry experience,” he said. “WLI allowed me to get my foot in the door of the pharmaceutical industry and provided a tremendous jump-start to my career. At WLI, I actually felt like more of a scientist than an intern. Initially I was able to work directly with the analysts to learn from them and assist them with their assays, and within a few weeks I was working on assays and protocols independently. The skill set I acquired throughout the internship proved invaluable when searching for future employment. I know for certain that I would not be at the point I'm at in my career today if not for the eight weeks I spent at WLI in the summer of 2009, and for that I am tremendously grateful to them and the Life Sciences Center."

The 2011 interns have M.S. and B.S. degrees in Biology and Chemistry, and will take part in activities to connect with their academic focus. WLI is proud to continue its support of the growing partnership between the biotech industry and Massachusetts’ future workforce through dedicated mentors and meaningful internship opportunities.

“Life sciences companies that move here or expand here always cite our talented workforce as one of their main reasons for choosing Massachusetts,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President and CEO of MLSC. “The Center’s Internship Challenge is a key investment in the ongoing strength of our life sciences workforce in Massachusetts. Given its past success, we are confident that this year’s program will provide terrific opportunities for both the interns and the sponsoring companies, and will serve to further develop our pipeline of life sciences talent.”