BioScience Careers Forum CT: Sept. 20

2024

BIOSCIENCE CAREERS FORUM CONNECTICUT: Forging New Frontiers in the Life Sciences Industry

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 9:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. 101 College Street, New Haven, Conn.

WELCOME The Bioscience academic and career pathway (BioPath) is an industry driven and grant-funded initiative within the Southern Connecticut State University Innovation Hub. Our team is committed to providing high impact programs leveraging experiential learning opportunities, using research and fostering innovation to positively impact outcomes students, industry, and the local community. We focus on helping students gain the awareness, experiences, skills, and access necessary to be successful while in college and beyond, especially those who are traditionally underserved and underrepresented in STEM and STEM inspired fields.

Since 2016, we have had the pleasure of partnering with The Jackson Laboratory and Connecticut State College and University System to host the annual Bioscience Careers Forum. In collaboration with industry partners at BioCT and companies throughout Connecticut, we are pleased to help foster awareness and access among students, educators, industry professionals, legislators, and community members in terms of exciting career and educational opportunities in Bioscience.

The Bioscience Careers Forum which historically took place in the spring semester has had a tremendous impact on students’ lives. Days after graduation, student attendees of the Bioscience Career Forum were able to begin full-time positions. Year after year students from varied backgrounds have described their experiences at the forum as “life-changing;” never before experienced the diversity of roles available in our state’s bioscience industries.

The planning team has curated an engaging agenda with speeches from distinguished guests, an interactive panel discussion, thoughtprovoking skill building activities and opportunities to explore the latest trends and advancements in bioscience. We hope that you, as countless others have, will benefit from this unique convergence.

BIOSCIENCE CAREERS FORUM CONNECTICUT

Forging New Frontiers the Life Sciences Industry PROGRAM OFinEVENTS

8:30 a.m.

Registration & Refreshments

Lobby & Cafe

9:00 a.m.

Opening Remarks

Auditorium

9:30 a.m.

Keynote Address

Auditorium

10:00 a.m.

Panel Discussion

Auditorium

10:30 a.m.

Break

Auditorium

10:40 a.m.

Skill Building

Auditorium

11:15 a.m.

Networking & Tapas

Networking Space — Hallway and Patio

12:00 p.m.

Final Remarks & Prizes

Auditorium

PANELISTS ALEX NESTA / DATA SCIENTIST / KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Alex V. Nesta’s journey is truly inspiring, demonstrating the strong connection between academic opportunities in Connecticut and successful careers in bioscience. His story highlights the critical role of multi-disciplinary education and hands-on experience in advancing fields like genomics and drug discovery. As a biology-focused data scientist at Vindhya Data Science, Alex leverages his background in both biology and bioinformatics to help identify biomarkers, refine drug targets, and elucidate therapeutic mechanisms in the context of disease. By integrating multi-omics datasets, machine learning, and computational methods, Alex leads projects that drive innovation in drug discovery and translational research, particularly in cancer and RNA biology.

Alex’s interest in biological research began at Central Connecticut State University, where he studied the genetics of spontaneous variants in mice.

After earning his B.S., he worked at a Connecticut influenza vaccine startup and pursued a Master’s degree at Quinnipiac University. Inspired by shadowing experiences at UConn Health, he focused his Ph.D. on bioinformatics, researching transposable element-mediated splicing in human breast cancer using long-read RNA sequencing. His journey shows how Connecticut’s education system helps students build relevant skills and secure bioscience jobs within the state.

MEGAN DELIVRON / MODERATOR Dr. deLivron’s graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of New England. She received her PhD in Biochemistry from UCONN; her dissertation on Biochemical Characterization of Salmonella enterica BipA. Following her Ph.D., she went on to complete a Postdoctoral fellowship also at UCONN. For the past 14 years, Dr. DeLivron has been a Professor of Science at Connecticut State Community College at Gateway, winning, among others, the prestigious Connecticut Board of Regents System-Wide Teaching award in 2016.

Dr. Megan deLivron is a Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Science and Mathematics Department at CT State Gateway. She is an award-winning scientist and educator dedicated to teaching, helping students understand the structure and function of biological molecules, and providing community college students with access to research opportunities to strengthen the STEM pipeline for underrepresented groups.

PANELISTS ASHLEY GONZALEZ / CAIRD, HARTFORD HOSPITAL Ashley is the Veterinary Technician at the Center for AntiInfective Research and Development (CAIRD) at Hartford Hospital. Her interest in science began in the fifth grade and grew throughout her education. While at Connecticut State Community College’s Middlesex campus, she assisted Dr. Frank Stellabotte in preparing teaching labs and supporting student learning. After earning an Associate’s degree in Biotechnology, Ashley joined CAIRD as a research assistant, later taking on a husbandry role.

As an IACUC Committee member, she oversees protocols and guidelines.

Collaborating with Dr. David Nicolau and Dr. Steve Wilson, she helped develop the retro-orbital protocol used in their studies. Ashley is proud of her growth over the past three years and plans to pursue a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Bridgeport.

MINAHIL GILANI / ALEXION ASTRAZENECA RARE DISEASE Minahil graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2021 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. After graduation, she worked as an Environmental Laboratory Technician at York Analytical and served as the Health and Wellness Coordinator at Elena’s Light while pursuing continuing education through SCSU’s Biopath program. During her time as a student, she was actively involved in university programs, working as a specialist at the Center for Academic Success, a research assistant in the chemistry department, and interning at Vistara Bioscience. During her senior year, she conducted research with Dr. Candy Hwang on quorum sensing inhibitors in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and analytical testing of organic samples. For the past two years, Minahil has been an Associate Scientist at Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, specializing in lab-based studies and various phases of molecular development, contributing to the creation of safe and effective pharmaceutical formulations. She excels in collaborative environments, values continuous learning, and is passionate about contributing to impactful biopharmaceutical projects.

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES

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THE VENUE 101 College Street is a $300 million state-of-the-art life sciences building completed in 2024.

The 525,000 SF, ten-story lab building is anchored by Connecticutbred life science companies including Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease and Yale University. Additionally, the building includes a 52,000 square foot, world-class incubator managed by BioLabs, which fosters life sciences start-up companies in Connecticut as well as a lab and classroom space for New Haven Public Schools, and public open space.

101 College Street was designed and constructed to meet Silver LEED Building Standards. Consistent with citywide goals for sustainable transportation, 101 College Street does not include a large parking structure. Rather, parking spaces will be leased from existing garages and used as needed. As with 100 College Street, the building will feature full-service amenities for bicyclists including indoor bike storage, lockers and showers.

Furthermore, this project is a critical extension of the City of New Haven’s Downtown Crossing initiative which involved dismantling Route 34, reclaiming 12 developable acres to support the growing life science industry, and reconnecting the Medical District, Union Station and the City’s Central Business District

THANK YOU Thank you to the many individuals at Southern Connecticut State University, The Jackson Laboratory, Connecticut State College and University System, and beyond who have put their time and their passion towards delivering a thoughtful and impactful program that affords students, lawmakers, community members, and industry professionals the opportunity to learn about Bioscience in Connecticut and connect regarding promising career and educational opportunities.

Thank you to all of the planning team members including Dr. Sarah Wojiski, Lisa Roy, Lesley Mara, Dr. Frank Stellabotte, Dr. Barbara Murdoch, Dr. Megan DeLivron, and Dr. Elizabeth Roberts.

Thank you to the SCSU Innovation Hub team: Dr. Christine Broadbridge, Peter Dimoulas, Dr. Rachel Jeffery, Dr. Kelly Bordner, Heather Stearns, Helen Keegan, Imani Smith, Allison Kross, Rick Mingione, Paula-Marie Simpson, Derek Faulkner, and Arianna Ruiz.

Thank you to the 101 College Street and Winstanley site team including Ted DeSantos, Kasia Brown, and Anthony Grammatico for generously donating their time, energy, and talents to ensure that we have a wonderful event in their beautiful new building.

Thank you to all of the students, educators, and guests who have come to be part of the 2024 Bioscience Careers Forum.

Finally, thank you to CTNext and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development as well as the Jackson Laboratory and the Connecticut State College and University System for funding that has made the 2024 Bioscience Careers Forum possible!

BIOSCIENCE 2023