AbbVie Bioresearch Center Focuses on Science and Society

The Worcester, MA, biopharmaceutical company partners with local schools and other organizations to build community.

By Livability on November 15, 2022

While many scientific discoveries are made in a lab, important societal breakthroughs usually take place out and about in the community. The AbbVie Bioresearch Center in Worchester, MA, is heavily involved in both.

AbbVie, a research-driven biopharmaceutical company, believes community engagement is a foundational aspect of responsible corporate citizenship.

Along with developing and manufacturing advanced medicines out of a 553,000-square-foot facility, the AbbVie Bioresearch Center engages in a wide variety of collaborations and philanthropic efforts.

It is part of the reason why AbbVie has been named for seven consecutive years to The Civic 50, a listing of the most community-minded companies in the United States, and made People magazine’s list of “100 Companies That Care” for 2021.

“AbbVie has a strong position on corporate citizenship,” says Samer Jaber, director, Bioresources. “This gives AbbVie employees the enriching experience of working with the outside community, and it lets people see that this is a company committed to the long-term sustainable success of that community.”

Courtesy of AbbVie Bioresearch Center

The AbbVie Bioresearch Center has partnered with Worcester Public Schools on several educational programs. These include establishing the AbbVie Community Equity Scholarship, which is awarded to first-generation college students who plan on entering a STEM field, accepting student interns through the Innovation Pathway Program, which was developed to help expand career field exploration through technical education for Worcester public high school students, and advising middle-school students on projects to be entered into the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair.

The center also has a longstanding partnership with Quinsigamond Community College involving the development and implementation of a biotechnology certificate program. In addition, the center offers tours of its labs during which students are shown examples of the research experiments taking place, enabling them to experience firsthand what it is like to work in the scientific industry.

Beyond educational opportunities, the center has connections with dozens of community organizations and events throughout Worcester. 

These include the Regional Environmental Council for urban agriculture, Veterans Inc., Friendly House (for under-resourced neighborhoods), the Women’s Initiative of the United Way for empowerment programs for young girls, Working for Worcester to improve recreation and greenspace and the EcoTarium.

In conclusion, AbbVie Bioresearch Center is committed to improving the lives of patients throughout the world and to the people right here in the Worcester community.

“There is a lot of biotech, research and incubator facilities in Worcester,” says AbbVie senior scientist Jillian Cadorette, who also serves as a cultural ambassador for the company. “AbbVie is considered an anchor helping to build up Worcester as a life-sciences hub, while working to make sure it’s also an excellent place to live.”