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BARDA at BTEC Overview

The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) at NC State University provides training for selected employees of global influenza vaccine manufacturers. Countries that have participated in this program include Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Funding for this program comes from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

Course Offerings

Find out more about the program: go.ncsu.edu/barda-video

BTEC will offer three (3) courses during 2013:

  • Fundamentals of cGMP Influenza Vaccine Manufacturing
    (April-May 2013) and (July-August 2013)
  • Advanced Upstream Processes for Influenza Vaccine Manufacturing (June 2013)
  • Advanced Downstream Processes for Influenza Vaccine Manufacturing (June 2013)

The GTI is proud to partner with BTEC on this important global health program and will provide and arrange logistical services (participant selection, transportation, visa documentation, orientation, housing, meals, cultural programs, etc.,) for BTEC and the BARDA program participants.

Information for Training Candidates

All candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Fluent in English (able to read, write, speak, and understand spoken English).
  • Currently employed by an institution receiving support from BARDA and/or WHO for the international vaccine production capacity-building program.
  • Have a background in biological sciences or engineering and/or experience in the manufacturing of vaccines or biologicals

Application Process

BARDA application process

  1. Fill out the initial online application. Only fill out ONE application per person.

    1. BARDA nominees must submit their applications online (go.ncsu.edu/gti_apply). Select "Global Training Initiative" on this first page, and "BTEC Training Program" under Special Programs on the second page. Do NOT submit more than one application because it will delay the process.

    2. Be sure to enter the information completely and correctly. The address, email, and phone information should be your current physical address and contact information in your home country. You will select "Summer II 2013" as your desired term of enrollment.

    3. You will receive a confirmation email after your application is submitted and approved. You will also receive an email from NC State with your Unity ID, Student ID, and passwords. You must reset your password after your first log-in by using the Unity Password Change Tool. After changing your password, you then need to create your User Identification and Authentication questions (UIA). Make sure you write down and save your new password.

    4. Your Unity ID and password gives you access to the NC State wireless network and other campus resources, so make sure you save them. If you forget or lose your password, you can contact the NC State Help Desk at (919) 515-HELP (4357), in person, over the phone, or by email. The GTI can not access that information for you.

    5. Make sure you read through the resources below as you begin to prepare for your training program at NC State.

  2. Fill out the supplemental application (go.ncsu.edu/BARDA_app) which requires you upload your most recent Curriculum Vitae (CV) in a Word or PDF format. The supplemental application also requires you upload the biographical page of your passport (see example below):

    Sample Passport Bio Page

  3. An invitation letter (to use in applying for a B-1 Visitor Visa) and other important pre-arrival information will be emailed to participants.

  4. Be sure to read through the resources below as you begin to prepare for your training program at NC State:

Find the answers to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for BARDA participants

Pre-arrival information for BARDA participants

Guide for BARDA participants coming to NC State

Contact Information

BTEC (for training content)
Dr. Jennifer Ruiz, Assistant Director, Bioprocess Services and BARDA training program manager
Phone: 919.515.0215
Email: jennifer_ruiz@ncsu.edu

GTI (for logistics)
Mr. Michael Bustle, GTI Director
Ilin Misaras, GTI Training Program Coordinator for BTEC programs
Phone: 919.513.0105
Email: gti@ncsu.edu

BARDA and BTEC Background

Beginning in September 2010, BTEC has received annual grant awards as part of a five-year, nearly $5 million project funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. With funding from this grant, a team of instructors from BTEC, Duke University, and industry provided a three-week course entitled Fundamentals of cGMP Influenza Vaccine Manufacturing to three different groups of trainees from February through June 2011. Trainees were selected by institutions participating in a U.S. government-sponsored program to build vaccine production capacity among countries with developing economies. In 2012, the program expanded to offer two additional courses in advanced upstream and advanced downstream processing. These three courses are offered again in 2013.