Exploring Careers in STEM 2024
Are you considering careers outside academia, but not quite sure industry is the right fit either? Perhaps you love science, but also dream of hanging up your lab coat for good! Our panels of advanced-degree professionals will help you consider these questions and more! Collectively, our panelists are contributing broad expertise (biology, chemistry, environmental health sciences, materials engineering, molecular and cellular biology, neuroscience, polymer science, and engineering) across a wide array of organizations (biotech, consulting, intellectual property law, government agencies, nonprofits). Morning panelists will discuss their roles in non-industry settings, while afternoon panelists will discuss how they support science from beyond the bench. Each session will include a 1-hour moderated panel, followed by optional opportunities for smaller discussions with panelists. Attend one session or attend it all.
This event is co-sponsored by OPD, the Biotechnology Training Program (BTP) and the Chemistry Biology Interface (CBI) Program and we thank planning committee members Ninette Irakoze and Beatriz Martinez-Martin for creating a great program!
Please register here "Exploring Careers in STEM 2024".
Beyond Industry |
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Abosede Sarah Alli is a Research Public Health Analyst at RTI International. She earned her PhD and conducted postdoctoral research in Public Health at the University of Massachusetts - focusing on the impacts of environmental exposures on children's health in Ghana. Sarah supervised data collection teams, ensured rigorous quality control, and utilized data-driven insights to inform policy decisions. |
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Lisa Ganser is a science communicator with a unique career path that bridges the gap between scientific research and real-world public health impact. Her journey began as a researcher, delving into the complexities of the nervous system during her Ph.D. and subsequent postdoctoral work. This foundation led her to academia, where she shared her knowledge as a tenured professor, fostering the next generation of scientists. Lisa’s passion for science translation then led her to the Alaka'ina Foundation Family of Companies, where she served as a Subject Matter Expert (SME). There, she built crucial laboratory systems for disease surveillance in underserved communities, a role highlighting her commitment to global health equity. Currently, Lisa utilizes her expertise as a Senior Service Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Leveraging her scientific background, teaching experience, and exceptional communication skills, she plays a vital role in advancing public health initiatives on a national scale. |
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Ngoc ‘Emily’ Le has years of experience working with academic, healthcare, biopharma, and executive professionals both in technical scientific, and business settings. She is passionate about fostering connections in healthcare and life sciences to advance innovations and forge meaningful strategic partnerships. |
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Carolina Morell-Pérez is a Program Manager at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). She earned a B.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico and a M.Sc. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the UMASS Amherst, where she studied antimicrobial peptides produced by clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their potential use as antimicrobial therapies in cystic fibrosis infections. Soon after that she joined Merck Research Labs in Cambridge, MA as a Microbiome Scientist, where she developed a 3D human intestinal organoid platform and designed an advanced high-throughput organoid microinjection device to study host-microbiome interactions. Lastly, while at Merck Carolina co-led the microbiome and colorectal cancer (CRC) discovery efforts and designed a novel CRC spheroid microplate assay enabling the co-culture of human cells and anaerobic bacteria to interrogate bacterial interactions that had been linked to cancer development and progression. Most recently, in her role as Program Manager at the ATCC, Carolina manages a team of biologists and project managers and oversees various federal contracts valued in >$7MM for agencies like USDA and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). At ATCC, Carolina also leads several business development efforts, focusing on developing new capabilities and collaborations for the Federal Solutions Business Unit. |
Beyond the Bench |
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Aaron Antcliff is a Field Sales Representative with STEMCELL Technologies, and services the Greater Boston and New England areas. He received his PhD in Neuroscience from Central Michigan University, where he studied stem cell-based treatment methodologies for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, with focus on Huntington’s disease. During his postdoctoral work at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the long-term shutdown of his research facility during the 2020 COVID outbreak gave him the opportunity to reflect and reconsider his career trajectory. With a previous career background in financial services, he decided to pursue sales opportunities in the biotechnology industry, where he now melds his expertise of stem cell culturing products and practices with his sales acumen to bring solutions to all of his clients. He joined STEMCELL Technologies in August of 2021, and now oversees sales activities in 4 states across the New England region, with special emphasis on helping academic institution teams with their most challenging projects. |
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Jenna Harris is a Senior Analyst at Health Advances, a strategy consulting firm that focuses exclusively on the healthcare industry. After receiving her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from UMass Amherst, she completed her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Delaware. At UD, Jenna worked in Dr. Emily Day's lab where her research focused on enabling targeted cargo delivery to hematopoietic stem cells with biomimetic membrane-wrapped nanoparticles and she also collaborated with a biotechnology startup to validate their novel drug delivery platform. Since joining Health Advances in 2022, she has worked primarily in the firm's Diagnostics, Precision Medicine, & Life Science Tools & Services sector on projects that encompass competitive landscape assessment, go-to-market strategy, and market and revenue forecasting for a range of companies from small diagnostics start-ups to the largest public companies in the industry. As a senior analyst, she is involved in all project aspects including recruiting and interviewing experts, data collection and synthesis, and client meetings and deliverables. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and playing with her dog, Raphie, and is currently planning for her wedding that will be in Northampton, MA this January! |
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Samantha Page is a Senior Patent Agent with Cantor Colburn, LLP. She received her Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Samantha’s doctoral research focused on synthetic polymer chemistry, with an emphasis on developing new synthetic polymer-based platforms for biomedical applications. Samantha joined Cantor Colburn in 2014 and focuses her patent practice on preparation and prosecution of applications related to various aspects of polymers and materials science, specifically on matters related to polymer chemistry, polymer composites, nanotechnology, and chemical engineering. She works closely with various leading chemical and polymer materials companies as well as major research universities, with technologies ranging from monomer synthesis through end-use applications. |
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Wanette Vargas Riad currently leverages her deep scientific expertise and research background to lead medical strategy and scientific affairs at BGB Group. She has played a key role in shaping the company's medical direction and ensuring scientific rigor in their endeavors. This role undoubtedly draws on her extensive experience in neuroscience research and medical writing, positioning her to excel in this critical leadership position. |