Biomanufacturing and partnerships drive innovation in Greater Hazelwood. Jun 2, 2026 Biomanufacturing, workforce development, and community partnerships are shaping the future of Greater Hazelwood, a neighborhood along the Monongahela River where a former brownfield is being transformed into a sustainability, research, and innovation tech hub, according to a June 2 report. At an event in late April, Heidi Ward, who leads the University of Pittsburgh's Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment; Ian Johnson, director of life sciences at BioForge; and Rosta Farzan, associate dean for Engaged Scholarship at Pitt's School of Computing and Information Sciences, discussed efforts to connect neighborhood priorities with opportunities in the life sciences sector. The event was part of the Pitt Alumni Association's Pitt Academy speaker series. Vice Chancellor for External Relations Lina Dostillio said, "The Plan for Pitt 2028 calls for us to be a University that is welcoming and engaged, place-based, committed to the communities of Western Pennsylvania and striving to have a positive effect on the world around us. We are a partner in solving the real problems that folks are facing. It means we are showing up every day to expand workforce development opportunities, and our research is opening new doors. We are an economic anchor, as well." The discussion took place at the restored Roundhouse - a former J&L Steel mill facility now serving as coworking space - highlighting how investment has shifted from industrial steel production toward technology-driven innovation at Hazelwood Green. Ward described this transformation: "This building is a metaphor for what's possible when research, industry and neighborhood partnerships all work together to shape Pittsburgh's next chapter." Johnson detailed BioForge's role in helping researchers and startups address manufacturing challenges. He explained that BioForge partners with academic innovators on projects such as Furnace - an mRNA brokerage platform - and microneedle patch technology developed by Pitt-connected researchers. Johnson also noted that Panther Life Sciences relocated operations to Pittsburgh after working with BioForge. Ward highlighted more than 25 years of collaboration between Pitt and Greater Hazelwood but said recent developments prompted questions about ensuring local residents benefit from new innovations. In response, Pitt launched initiatives including middle school biotechnology activities and public science events as well as piloting a Life Sciences Bridge Program - a paid workforce development initiative introducing young adults without college degrees to careers in biotechnology. Farzan discussed community engagement efforts involving local organizations like Center of Life and Hazelwood Initiative. One project focused on air quality monitoring with resident participation guiding sensor placement while students assisted with data collection. Farzan said successful collaboration requires patience: "That is actually how we learn a lot about how to best solve these problems and build technologies that are actually better for everyone." The panel emphasized that progress depends on long-term relationships built through trust between institutions like Pitt and neighborhood residents.

Partnership to Deliver More Effective Treatments for Skin-Based and Immune-Mediated Applications