AbbVie builds up biomedical workforce with myriad of ongoing programs

Photo | Grant Welker AbbVie's Worcester facility

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By Sadie Leite

On Wednesday, June 29, AbbVie built Forest Grove Middle School’s STEM lab, but their efforts stretch farther than just this single, advantageous event.

Jochen Salfeld, vice president of immunology and virology discovery and head of AbbVie sites like their campuses in Worcester, Cambridge, and Boston campus spoke with WBJ about the company’s larger initiatives, such as building up the biomedical workforce and encouraging kids in STEM.

Salfeld was at the June event at Forest Grove, which was supported by the partnership between AbbVie and the Heart of America Foundation. The event and partnership are also part of AbbVie’s annual Week of Possibilities initiative.

“We did work building a science lab. We renovated some lab spaces. We did some outdoor work. We worked on a greenhouse,” he said.

The list of achievements was long, and for Salfeld, the best part of the in-depth process was the complete transformation of a simple woodshop to an immersive, high-tech science lab.

“What we're doing with our team is working with the school to ask the question: ‘What would make a big difference for you?’” Salfeld said.

AbbVie’s work within the Worcester community has continued over many years. This project was part of the seventh Week of Possibilities.

“AbbVie has a long commitment to innovation, to inclusion, but also to outreach in our communities,” said Salfeld.

An example of the interconnectedness as a result of AbbVie’s activity in the past is their relationship with Forest-Grove Principal Matt Morse. In 2016, when Morse worked at Burncoat High School in Worcester, AbbVie built the institution a new library.

“He was very pleased to see us again,” said Salfeld. “And to work with us on this particular science lab.”

The Forest-Grove lab or the Burncoat Library encapsulates AbbVie’s larger mission to better the biomedical workforce, Salfeld said.

“Somebody in our lives triggered that spark of excitement within us to become a scientist,” he said. “ AbbVie wants to be doing this for the next generation.”

AbbVie is also working hard to support equity across science learning.

“This year, for the first time, we created the AbbVie Community Equity Scholarship, where we try to help enhance diversity in science,” said Salfeld.

The scholarship is limited to first generation college-bound children from various defined backgrounds. They must also meet certain academic expectations. This opportunity could lead participants to selective internships at AbbVie. The company also has internal employee resource groups that work to address questions such as resolving historical discrimination across science and technology education.

In addition, AbbVie is a sponsor of the Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative which works towards creating incubators for science exploration. They too have programs aimed at increasing diversity in the STEM field. AbbVie also worked with MBI on Prescott Street in Worcester for a number of years on Project OnRamp, another diversity initiative.

“It’s geared towards enhancing the diversity in the STEM field. We’ve been hiring staff from the program consistently, promising early careers for scientists or engineers,” he said.

AbbVie professionals are also working at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, teaching classes on biotechnology and discovery.
AbbVie’s summer internship programs enable students to experience the steps of drug discovery in a lab or in the operations environment. Other educational initiatives include the Innovation Pathways Program for Worcester Public School students.

“The examples that I gave you are the result of very focused programs,” he said. “But the engagement in the community of Worcester goes back to the early nineties. This speaks volumes to how AbbVie’s working to be a good citizen.”

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misspelled Jochen Salfeld's name.