mRNA Vaccine Manufacturing Project for the Mass and Energy Balances (MEB) Course

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18260/2-1-370.660-139673

Keywords:

Mass and Energy Balances, Project-based learning, Undergraduate Students

Abstract

In this paper, we report a group project for the foundational Mass and Energy Balances (MEB) course. The project centers around the production of an mRNA vaccine in response to a fictional pandemic, engaging students with relevant challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry. Designed for small groups of students, the project allows solving basic material balances, reflecting on open-ended questions, and addressing ethical and environmental dilemmas in Chemical Engineering.

 

Accessibility Summary:

In accordance with Title II regulations this content meets all points of exemption as Archived web content and/or Preexisting conventional electronic documents.

Author Biographies

Julian Chow, Johns Hopkins University, United States

Julian Chow is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University. He obtained his BS degree from the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChemBE) department at Johns Hopkins University. He was an undergraduate teaching assistant in the Mass and Energy balances course for three semesters. ORCID: 0009-0009-5080-0093

Nagma Zerin, Johns Hopkins University, United States

Nagma Zerin is a Senior Lecturer in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChemBE) department at Johns Hopkins University. She completed her BASc and MASc degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Canada and obtained her PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University. Her current research interests include understanding the mindsets of engineering students and creating an inclusive classroom. ORCID: 0000-0002-7876-8488.

Corresponding author: nzerin1@jhu.edu

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Published

2026-02-19

Issue

Ahead of Print (Articles ASAP)

Section

Class and Home Problems