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Diana BartlettAssistant Vice President,
Corporate Partnerships
Phone: (909) 607-9864
Email: diana_bartlett[at symbol]kgi.edu
October 2011
Team Masters Projects actually have two operational components at KGI: first is the actual project work performed by each team; but second is the companion course, ALS 400. During the dawn of fall semester, ALS 400 focuses on project management tools and techniques. While divergent from the more stimulating technical subjects, project management does offer teams a framework for turning scope statements into timelines, assignments, deliverables and actions.
"KGI requires teams to submit a formal project plan," explained TMP Director Craig Adams, "but the format of each plan will vary by team inclination and sponsor expectations."
Budget creation is another component of the plan, and each team must submit an operational budget covering the nine months of effort.
"Budgeting is usually a series of negotiations," Adams continued. "Teams negotiate amongst themselves, then with their corporate sponsors, and finally, with KGI." He noted that laboratory-based projects require more supplies and materials than do those that are strictly business-oriented. "But all budgets must satisfy general KGI guidelines."
Allergan
As it proceeds from concept to performance, the Allergan team is preparing to begin assessment of disposable bioprocessing technology for microbial expression systems.
BioMarin
For BioMarin the team will be responsible for developing the business justification and rationale for building a pilot plant facility.
During the fall semester, the team will assess BioMarin's pilot scale needs and will research and, ideally, visit relevant pilot plant facilities to understand some of the different approaches taken in the industry. The team will develop a base case scenario based on this assessment. Then, in the spring, the team will develop different implementation scenarios and perform a cost/benefit analysis of each. A final recommendation to the company will highlight the best pilot plant design scenario(s).
AVI BioPharma
This is the first time AVI BioPharma has sponsored a Team Masters Project. The pharmaceutical company, based in Seattle, had approximately $30 million in 2010 revenues.
Dr. Animesh Ray serves as the team's faculty advisor, and AVI Bio's Brian Leppert is the corporate liaison.
