About Us

Our Mission and Values

Northeastern is committed to developing excellence in our students by instilling knowledge, advancing skills, and providing opportunities to transfer and enter the workforce successfully.

A2M NSF BIOTECHNOLOGY

The Biotech Associates to Masters (A2M) Pathway is an accelerated pathway for students from their associate to their master’s degree in biotechnology. The pathway consists of completing an Associates degree, a Bachelors of Science, and then one additional year to earn a Master’s of Science in Biotechnology.

This pathway is open to all students and is a financially responsible and feasible way to get an education in biotechnology.

For more information on the application process, please contact the Biotech Navigator at biotech-navigator@northeastern.edu.

Our Team

Elizabeth Zulick

Strategic Planning and Projects
Education Innovation
Vice Chancellor

As Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Projects, Elizabeth leads and implements key organizational initiatives that support the priorities of the Office of the Chancellor.

Liz joined Northeastern’s College of Professional Studies in 2016 as an Associate Teaching Professor eventually serving as Associate Dean of Research, Innovation, Development and Entrepreneurship, the Faculty Director of Healthcare and Biotechnology, and as Director of the Lowell Institute School.

A successful scientist and educator, Liz has been a strong advocate for the education of low-income students, including creating a partnership between Middlesex Community College and Northeastern University to provide an accelerated Associates to Master’s biotechnology degree pathway. Liz’s commitment to education also includes working in an advisory capacity at several community colleges and for the MassBioEd Foundation, community outreach to Boston schools, and a long list of service to the University including a role on the Faculty Senate. An accomplished researcher, Liz holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine from Boston University.

Tahir Abbas

Biotech Navigator

As the Biotech Navigator, Tahir offers comprehensive support to students throughout their educational journey at Northeastern University, including:

  • Guiding students through the application process to Northeastern.
  • Assisting students in developing career, resume, and interview skills.
  • Curating monthly seminars for student enrichment.
  • Facilitating mentorship programs to foster student growth.
  • Addressing inquiries related to the A2M pathway and NSF scholarship program.

Tahir holds the role of Biotech Navigator for Northeastern’s Biotech Associates to Masters pathway and scholarship program. He earned his master’s degree in Conflict Management from Brandeis University. In his current capacity, Tahir oversees a National Science Foundation grant aimed at enhancing biotech education accessibility for low-income students. Balancing his time between Middlesex Community College and Northeastern University, Tahir collaborates with students, faculty, and administrators to ensure comprehensive delivery of grant benefits and seamless navigation of the higher education system.

Prior to this role, Tahir provided student support services at Northshore Community College and Framingham State University.

Mariluci Bladon

Biotechnology, Department Chair

Middlesex Community College, Lowell

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Catholic University.

Awarded the International Fullbright Fellowship for her Graduate  studies in the United States.

Master’s degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh and her Ph.D. in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan.

In 1990, she was hired by Middlesex Community College to start the first Biotechnology Program in Massachusetts for a two years College. This initiative was the idea of the late Senator Paul Tsongas, who wanted to have technicians trained in Massachusetts, rather than “import” workers from the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, and other states.

Today, 29 years later, this Program has trained technicians conferring them Certificate as well as Associate’s degree in Biotechnology. Our first graduates now hold positions as Managers, Directors and Vice President, in many Massachusetts Biotechnology Industries.

Dr. Bladon is the Chair of the Biotechnology Department, where she teaches and coordinates the Biotechnology Program as well as placing the students in Biotechnology Companies all around Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

In 2007, Dr Bladon started a course to teach and train students how to grow and analyze Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC) in culture. This course is now an integral part of the required Associates’ degree.

On December 2nd, 2014 , Middlesex Community College Biotechnology Program received the highest endorsement from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Education Consortium: The Platinum endorsement for both the Certificate and the Associates’ degree in Biotechnology.