Education

Education and workforce development are central to CICET’s mission. As a university-wide hub for cell engineering and therapy, CICET is building an integrated educational ecosystem that spans doctoral training, professional education, and continuing academic enrichment. These programs are designed to prepare scientists, engineers, clinicians, and translational professionals to lead the next generation of cell and gene therapy innovation. By combining rigorous scientific training with exposure to manufacturing, regulatory science, and clinical translation, CICET equips trainees with the skills needed to advance transformative therapies responsibly and equitably, while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across Columbia’s campuses and clinical partners.

Educational Program

Mini-Course: Introduction to Therapeutic T Cell Engineering

CICET held its first structured educational course focused on the principles and real-world application of therapeutic T cell engineering from February to March 2026. The course provided a comprehensive overview of engineered T cell therapies, spanning foundational immunology, vector and construct design, cell manufacturing considerations, and clinical translation.

Through a series of expert-led lectures, participants explored how laboratory discoveries are advanced into early-phase clinical trials, as well as the regulatory and translational challenges unique to living cell therapies. The course was designed for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career investigators seeking a rigorous introduction to this rapidly evolving field, and reflects CICET’s commitment to training the future workforce in cell and gene therapy.