Through the Pathmaker program, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is funding industry-aligned training programs that address critical skills and talent supply gaps and connects skilled, diverse workers with life science career opportunities in Massachusetts. At Northeastern University, Pathmaker supports hands-on, industry-aligned training that prepares individuals from a wide range of backgrounds for entry-level roles, from foundational lab practices to biomanufacturing and cell & gene therapy manufacturing.
Jonathan Kibirige’s career transition is a shining example of the program’s impact. After relocating to Massachusetts from Uganda, Kibirige was working in shipping logistics and looking for an opportunity to pivot into a new career path. Through connections in the biotech industry and research on LinkedIn, he enrolled in Northeastern’s Pathmaker program, where he gained hands-on laboratory experience and foundational training in biomanufacturing. Shortly after completing the program with a certificate in Biomanufacturing of Cell and Gene Therapies, he secured a role as a biotechnologist associate, applying the skills he developed through Pathmaker directly in the workplace.
“There’s so much demand for people in the biotech industry,” said Jonathan Kibirige. “The Pathmaker program is good for people without any experience in the field. It’s been a good program for me because most of the basics that we’re able to learn during the program have been able to guide me in my work right now.”
Northeastern was selected as a Pathmaker training location because of its academic expertise, high-quality facilities, and comprehensive support services that help participants succeed and find jobs upon program completion.
To date, Northeastern has trained three Pathmaker cohorts, serving 75 participants. In 2025, the MLSC awarded $1.9 million to Northeastern University to expand the program and support an additional 175 trainees at the university’s Burlington campus, further strengthening Massachusetts’ life sciences talent pipeline.
Applications for MLSC’s Pathmaker program are currently open. Click here to learn more about the program and its available training opportunities.
Read more via Northeastern Global News.
