Official Alumni Website

Meet the Candidates

President
Dee Dao, Ph.D. (unopposed)

VP Alumni Relations
Matthew Engel

Antonio Alvarez Pinto

VP Industry Relations
Veronica Dudu, Ph.D. (unopposed)

VP Communications & Public Relations
Atulya Prasad (unopposed)

President

Dear Alumni,
I had a great experience in this program and would like to serve as president to help make the course even better. I would like to concentrate on enhancing the program career development by creating interest groups for students/alumni that are working or exploring career opportunities in specific fields. I believe these career development clubs would be a great way for like-minded individuals to meet, share resources, and network. I have experience in marketing and outreach through my work in UNIFEM. I am dedicated to seeing the program expand its outreach and influence in the greater NY area. I hope to have the opportunity to facilitate professional career development for the alumni.
Sincerely,
Dee Dao, Ph.D.

VP Alumni Relations

Dear Friends,

Many of you may know me as a classmate, colleague, student, mentor, or friend- but some of you may not know me at all. My name is Matthew Engel and I graduated from the Fundamentals of the Bioscience Industry Program in 2008 while in the biomedical engineering department at Stony Brook University. Over the last year I have been privileged to work directly with the current Alumni Executive Committee which has brought you such programs as the 2010 Nuts and Bolts Series and the new Alumni Website (www.fobip.org/alumni). I would like your vote for VP of Alumni Relations so that I can continue to increase the value of our graduates to existing and new industry connections while driving participation in future programs and events we have in store for 2011 and beyond.

I perceived the Fundamentals course to be a career-changing experience which opened my eyes to new horizons in the business and legal sectors of life science. It showed me that there are opportunities everywhere for scientists to apply their knowledge. Many of the key ingredients to success could be found within our classroom and in the footsteps of our own mentors such as Angeline Judex, Tom Ippolito, Lorrence Green, and Michael Bielski. I would sincerely like to thank each of them for their tireless devotion and dedication to the Program which has become an enormous success, educating the next generation of scientists, industry leaders, businessmen and women.

Outside of the Fundamentals Program, during 2009 I was elected to the Board of Directors for the National Association for Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS) which represents graduate students nationwide and served on the Executive Committee for the Stony Brook University Graduate Student Organization (GSO). I hope to use my team building experience, organizational and leadership skills to bring the alumni network to the next level and continue to create benefits for all of its members.

Thank you for your consideration, and if you would like to contact me I can be reached at matthewaengel@gmail.com or via my profile on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewaengel

I look forward to working for you all next year!
Matthew Engel

In the summer of 2010 I will be graduating from Columbia University with an MA in Biotechnology with the interest of entering the biotech industry and obtain experience in the many different divisions of a biotech company that work together to develop and regulate products prior to market approval.

Having developed relationships and networks with members of different institutions, I believe I would be a good candidate to help promote the activities of the Fundamentals of the Bioscience Industry.  With this position I would work effectively with the VP of Industry Relations to organize and prepare networking events between alumni, current members of the Fundamentals of the Bioscience Industry program and biotechnology / pharmaceutical sector companies and its members.

Given my strong drive for developing friendships and for event planning, I feel that as the VP of Alumni Relations I would be able to contribute to the team as well as help provide its members with new opportunities.

I look forward to working with the Alumni Network Executive Committee (ANEC) to help make ties between the members of the Fundamentals of the Bioscience Industry program and members of the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries.

Antonio Alvarez Pinto

VP Industry Relations

I am enthusiastic about submitting my nomination for the position of Vice President of Industry Relations.  In this capacity, I plan to serve as a liaison between current FOBIP students & alumni, and the bioscience industry professionals. I would take initiative in helping you propel your career through direct access to internships, job offers, development workshops, mentorship opportunities, and, if budget allows, frequent social events with our industry partners.

The VP Industry Relations position has important requirements and, likewise, the successful candidate must have exceptional attributes.  The first and most important attribute is the ability to establish new and lasting partnerships with the industry. I have managed interactions with influential Fortune 500 corporations while interning with MIC & Associates, a business development consultancy, and gained valuable experience in expanding their business network.

Another important attribute is the versatility in communicating with people with a variety of backgrounds and characters. I was first put to test in my former position with U. Bucharest Student Representative Committee. I had the great opportunity to facilitate the dialogue between students and Faculty, succeeded by implementing necessary rights such as study scholarships and student housing.

Furthermore, the VP should have experience in organizing career development events. In my current capacity as CUNY Post-Doctoral Committee Member, I have planned successful professional development and grant writing workshops.

Not only do I posses the skills and passion needed for VP Industry Relations position, but also I am keen to integrate my capabilities with the current approach and strategic plan for industry networking. With your support, together with the President and the Executive Committee, we will expand the Alumni Network and make it more successful.
Sincerely,
Veronica Dudu, Ph.D.

VP Communications & Public Relations

Currently, I am a Graduate Student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University; working as a Research Assistant in the Clark Lab.

In addition to possessing the requisite skills namely, being a team player and communication skills, I work well in bringing people together. Being new to Graduate School, I bring to the table open-mindedness for new and unconventional ideas. This coupled with a sprinkling of careful, rational thinking will make me an ideal candidate for the job. I believe my experience, albeit limited, in the lab and beyond will hold me in good stead.

I take this opportunity to wish my fellow students and alumni all the very best and hope they see in me what I see in myself that makes me want to work with the ANEC and the Center for Biotechnology.
Thank You,
Atulya Prasad