Press Release by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist –
May 15, 2025 – Dr. Minni Saluja enrolled in the Translational Biotechnology Master of Science program at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine because she was interested in the role regenerative medicine could play in her cosmetic dermatology practice.
Two years later, Saluja says that the program gave her more than she could have imagined—she has developed a diagnostic concept, filed a provisional patent, and applied for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding.
Saluja is one of five graduates who will be celebrated as part of the inaugural cohort of the MS in Translational Biotechnology program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s commencement ceremony on May 17, 2025.
The two-year program enrolled its first class in 2023 to meet the demand for scientists with business and regulatory knowledge.
“Designed to prepare the next generation of STEM professionals and business leaders who can move novel therapies from bench to bedside, the MS in Translational Biotechnology program is unique. I don’t know of any other program in the country like ours,” said Tracy Criswell, program director and associate professor at WFIRM.
Offering both an in-person research pathway and an online business pathway, the MS in Translational Biotechnology teaches its students how to move between research, regulatory science, and real-world application. And, as the official graduate program of the NSF’s Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine, students can perform cutting-edge research at WFIRM and collaborate with renowned faculty and industry partners.
“The MS in Translational Biotechnology promotes a wide range of careers, including academic, industry, startups, and regulatory affairs,” said Dr. Anthony Atala, WFIRM director. “We not only educate these students on the critical concepts and skills for a successful career in any biotechnology field, but we also ensure that they are introduced to regenerative medicine. In a rapidly advancing field, these graduates are positioned to join and lead a thriving and interdisciplinary workforce in the Triad, an integral part in ensuring the region’s position as a leader in regenerative medicine.”
The MS in Translational Biotechnology program is not only well-suited for recent STEM graduates but for working professionals who want to advance their career or pivot into a new role, with full- or part-time and asynchronous course options.
“This program helped me think beyond clinical practice and approach ideas with a broader, more strategic mindset. If you are a student, scientist, clinician, or entrepreneur who wants to bring meaningful ideas to life, this program gives you the tools to do just that,” Saluja said.
