Hood College has chosen the inaugural director of its new Biomedical Research and Training Center.
The research center’s goal is to “equip students and workers alike with advanced skills and knowledge … to propel them into successful careers in the biomedical field,” according to Hood College’s website.
Programs at the research center will include professional development workshops, and internship and job placement opportunities, according to a Hood College press release.
Rana Khan was selected after a national search, and her “experience in academia and program development” positioned her to lead the center, the press release said.
In an interview on Friday, Khan said one of the things that attracted her to this job was the center’s mission of training the next generation of bioscience professionals.
“We are trying to get our students hands-on experience,” she said. “We will train them in what is needed by the employers.”
Khan earned her Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology from the University of Maryland. She previously served as the founding director of the biotechnology management and entrepreneurship master’s of science program at Yeshiva University in New York.
Khan also previously served as the vice dean of the University of Maryland Global Campus’ graduate school. At UMGC, she has also held the role of chair of the Information Technology systems department.
She said she wants to address the biomedical workforce needs of Frederick County.
“I think the longer-term goal would be that this center really becomes a leader in providing training and education for these professionals,” Khan said. “I think we have to be very intentional about what kinds of programs we offer so that our students, when they come out, are really highly competitive.”
April Boulton, associate provost and dean of the graduate school, said in the release that Khan’s “impressive track record” positions her “to lead the center in addressing critical workforce needs in the Frederick region and beyond.”
The Biomedical Research and Training Center is part of the Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences.