After nearly 3 Decades of Impact,
The BioTechnical Institute of Maryland is Closing

Statement from Dr. Brandy Carter, Executive Director:

Serving as Executive Director of the BioTechnical Institute of Maryland has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career. While I understand the need to begin an orderly wind-down of the organization, it does not lessen the sadness I feel in seeing an institution with such a remarkable legacy come to this point.

For nearly three decades, BTI has been far more than a workforce training organization. We have been a place where hope was restored, confidence was rebuilt, and careers were launched. Since our founding in 1998, we have opened doors for hundreds of Baltimore residents—many of whom had never imagined a future in the life sciences. Through education, hands-on laboratory training, mentorship, and unwavering belief in our students' potential, we helped transform lives, strengthen families, and contribute to Maryland's nationally recognized biotechnology ecosystem.

I am incredibly proud of what our students have accomplished. They entered our classrooms with determination and left with the skills, confidence, and credentials to pursue careers in biotechnology, biomedical research, healthcare, and other scientific fields. Their success is BTI's greatest legacy, and it will continue long after our doors close.

I also want to express my deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff, Board of Directors, instructors, employer partners, funders, alumni, and community supporters. Your commitment, generosity, and belief in our mission made this work possible. Together, we built an organization that changed lives and created opportunities for people historically underrepresented in the life sciences.

Although the current funding environment, shifts in the workforce landscape, and changing industry needs have made it impossible for BTI to continue operating, I remain optimistic about the future. The need that inspired BTI's creation has not disappeared. Baltimore still needs accessible pathways into high-quality careers, and our life sciences industry still benefits when talent reflects the diversity, resilience, and potential of our communities.

As we move through this transition, our focus remains on honoring our commitments. We will continue supporting our current students through the completion of their training, fulfill our responsibilities to employees, funders, and partners, and conduct this wind-down with the professionalism, transparency, and integrity that have always defined BTI.

As this chapter comes to a close, I firmly believe the impact of BTI will continue to be seen in every graduate working in a laboratory, advancing scientific research, improving patient care, or inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in STEM. That legacy cannot be dissolved.

On behalf of the entire BTI family, thank you for believing in our mission, investing in our students, and walking alongside us for nearly 28 years. It has been our privilege to serve Baltimore, and I remain hopeful that others will carry this important work forward so that future generations have the same opportunities to succeed in Maryland's life sciences workforce.

With sincere gratitude,
Dr. Brandy Carter, PhD