If you are interested in attending the Summit at no cost by volunteering, please email kposnanski@notes.cc.sunysb.edu no later than Friday, August 27. On the email, please include your name, affiliation, email address, mailing address, phone number, as well as the days and times you are available on Sept 22-23. There are a limited number of volunteer spots so register early!

As a volunteer, you will need to arrange for your own transportation to and from the event venue. Although we will work to have you experience as much of the summit as possible, you will have responsibilities throughout the event that may include but are not limited to: checking in summit attendees and speakers at the registrations desk, working the speaker preparation room, assisting in the partnering forum, staffing the panel rooms to ensure the session runs smoothly from a/v equipment to time management, serving as an information ambassador, and more.

This is a tremendous opportunity to attend a professional conference and network with industry executives, academic innovators, biotech investors and professional advisors. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Learn more about the Life Sciences Summit 2010 at www.lifesciencessummit.org ]]> http://fobip.org/alumni/volunteer-lifesciences-summit-2010/feed 0 http://fobip.org/alumni/alumni-bbq-august-2010 http://fobip.org/alumni/alumni-bbq-august-2010#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:40:17 +0000 Matt http://fobip.org/alumni/?p=1156 Register Here ]]> Annual Summer BBQ!

Hosted by the Fundamentals Alumni Network Executive Committee

Sunday August 22, 2010
Fun starts at 3:00 pm

Course Director Tom Ippolito’s House
Holtsville, NY

Be sure to bring your summer spirit and swim suit! Food and Drinks will be served. Suggested donation of $10 at the door.

RSVP By 8/19
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=207506

Join Naturejobs at The Nature Network New York Pub Night
Explore local educational and career opportunities in style!

Location: Klimat Bar and Restaurant
77 E 7th St (Between 2nd & 1st Ave.)
New York, NY 10003
Date: Wednesday July 28th, 2010

Time: 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Explore local education and career opportunities at the Nature Network New York Pub Night – Co-sponsored by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and the Center for Biotechnology’s Fundamentals of the Bioscience Industry Program. Hear from working scientists, hiring managers and other professionals on taking those critical next steps in your life sciences careers. Expect an informative evening where undergraduates, graduates, postdocs and science professionals can ask questions and get first-hand accounts of how to advance their careers. Experts will be on hand to answer questions and give advice on taking those next crucial steps.

Space is limited so don’t miss out – RSVP for Nature Network New York Pub Night today! We’ll see you there!

Register Here: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=205915

2010-2011 Alumni Executive Committee

We are looking forward to a productive year to come under their leadership!

A great big thanks goes out to our current Alumni Executive Committee for their hard work and dedication over the past year. Under their leadership a new alumni website was launched, a seminar series was produced in Manhattan in Fall 2009, three newsletters were published, our first summer bbq was held and many other networking and social events were planned. They did an amazing job! Thank you Bryan, Danielle, Mary, Jenne & Matt!

Primary Responsibilities:

• Coordination of licensing opportunity evaluation
• Conducting analysis to support corporate development team (i.e. Therapeutic class assessments, competitive landscape analysis, deal benchmarking,etc.)
• Company overviews around licensing projects
• Partnering meeting support; coordination of partnering meetings (i.e. identification of companies of interest, evaluation of pipelines, coordination electronic meeting systems)
• Database support; entry and reporting around in-licensing and out-licensing opportunities and alliance management
• Project work as needed

Education/Experience Requirements

Currently enrolled in final 2 years of Scientific and/or Business graduate program is required. Preference for pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience. The qualified candidate should have an interest in working within a corporate development team in a pharmaceutical/biotechnology company. Strong analytical skills are required. Database experience preferred.

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

Completing graduate school is a major step in your career path which can provide opportunities and open doors to future employment. For many graduate students who are focused on their classes, research, or teaching responsibilities, building a professional network can seem like a daunting and overwhelming task. The fact is the vast majority of jobs are found through networking. Therefore, overlooking this important facet of communication while transforming your graduate education into a career can be extremely counterproductive. Even without prior work experience directly related to your field you can implement the following clear cut strategies to increase the value of your existing connections, expand your network and jumpstart your career.

Motivate Yourself

Many graduate students expect their university to help place them in a job prior to graduation. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case, as most career centers focus the majority of their efforts on undergraduates. As frustrating as this may be, don’t let it deter you. Instead, prepare yourself for your own job search by clearly defining what you want to do with your career and which roles best suit your individual skill sets. Next, research, create, and continually maintain a list of employers that offer the types of positions you are looking to fill. You should also research alumni from your university who are currently working for an employer you are interested in. This preliminary research should motivate you by helping you think of new ways to meet people who can be influential in your professional growth.

Set Goals

Setting goals is extremely important to building a solid professional network. Without goals, you can become unfocused which can negatively affect your job search. Here are a few examples of goals you may want to set:

1. Devote a set number of hours per week to building your network and preparing for your job search. Even if you aren’t currently looking for a job, you should still be laying the foundation for your future job search now. If you’ve already graduated, you should be working on this full-time.
2. Ask friends, family, classmates and professors for five new introductions per week. Don’t ask for random introductions – express interest in meeting individuals that are directly related to your career choice.
3. Attend a minimum of at least two networking events per month. These are the absolute best places to meet new people who can help you expand and strengthen your network. Don’t be shy, ask questions and politely request others to introduce you to individuals who can be influential in your job search. Always be sure to return the favor by offering your assistance in introducing them to someone in your own network.

Brand Yourself

In order to brand yourself properly, you need to really know who you are. Write down your strengths and weaknesses and most importantly, what you want out of your career. Once you have a firm grasp on this, prepare an elevator pitch about yourself. An elevator pitch is a thirty second overview (typically under 130 words) that describes who you are and what you have to offer. Essentially, the elevator pitch should be designed to sell yourself and tailored to the individual you are speaking with. This will come in handy at networking events, job interviews and even more casual situations.

Next, tighten up your resume or CV. This document should create a story and paint a picture of who you are as opposed to a list of facts about previous employment and achievements. You want to stand out from the competition, as typically, you have thirty seconds to make a lasting impression before your resume is discarded. Before submitting your resume or CV have it reviewed by at least ten people including your university career center, professors, industry professionals you trust and alumni already working in the field. When you are in academia, it is acceptable to submit your CV to an industry position, though it should be streamlined to contain only those elements essential to the position you are applying for.

Branding yourself online is another critical aspect of networking and finding a job. Publicly available websites such as LinkedIn and inDegree offer a valuable platform for enhancing your personal ‘brand’. Professional webpages about you hosted by universities and companies can also go a long way in solidifying your professional identity. Use these websites to your advantage by including past work and education experience in your profiles. Employers can view this information online, so make sure you are representing yourself in the very best way possible. Highlight professional accomplishments and achievements to help you stand out from the competition.

Ask For Guidance

Whether you think so or not, you’ve already formed a strong network while in graduate school. Your classmates and especially your professors can be a huge asset to your career. Many professors have real world experience and valuable connections you can tap into. Along the same lines, fellow students may have connections you may be able to benefit from as well. Most importantly, let everyone know you are looking to build your network and find a job. If nobody realizes you are looking, they won’t know to help you.

Build Your Network

There are two primary methods for adding connections to your network: in person and online. Meeting people in person is still the tried-and-true best approach for making a lasting impression. You should take advantage of networking opportunities by reaching out and building relationships with faculty, administrators, students, alumni, guest lecturers from academia and industry, and professionals in the fields you are most interested in. This can be accomplished by introducing yourself to new people at seminars, conferences, and meetings in person and following up immediately online. Conferences provide a huge opportunity for you to associate a face with your name and make a strong positive impression by communicating effectively, being respectful, displaying a positive attitude, and appearing motivated. The best time to network at these events is between sessions or during the social hour. It is during this critical window that you should be shaking hands, introducing yourself, talking about your interests, and exchanging business cards. Communicating with individuals on the web is the optimal way to follow up with these new connections. You can send them an email referencing the conversation you had in person. This is a great way to help them remember who you were, and put a face to your email. In addition, you should look to expand your digital network by adding these connections to your profiles on websites such as LinkedIn and inDegree.  LinkedIn is a very useful tool for reading the resumes, accomplishments, goals, and recommendations of others who have obtained a career you are interested in pursuing. InDegree allows you to network with graduate students and simultaneously search directly for jobs in your field online. In addition, depending on your areas of expertise, here are a few websites you may want to check out to help you get started:

• doostang.com
• xing.com
• visualcv.com
• jobsboard.biocareercenter.com
• bio-link.org
• fobip.org/alumni.

Sustain Your Network

Just because you’ve found a job, doesn’t mean you’ll have that job forever, especially in the current labor market. Make sure you follow up with your most valuable connections at least once a month. Some ways to reconnect with a contact are by sending them an article that they may find interesting or relevant, asking for career advice, or sending a holiday greeting.

There are many benefits to having a wide network. However, the quantity of your connections is not nearly as important as the quality and depth of your relationship with each individual. Ideally, you should offer to assist your contacts in a meaningful way – however, if you do not know how you can assist them now, you should still ask. This will go far in showing them that you are motivated in helping them, which adds value to your relationship. In return, a strong connection could potentially open doors for you by writing a recommendation (online or hardcopy), act as a mentor, or potentially hire you in the long run.

Overall, Networking is critical to your long term success. It is known that most jobs are actually unadvertised, and that these positions are filled by people who have built relationships with an employer or their representatives. Having a strong network with will help you find out about these positions and get hired.

About the Authors

Matthew A. Engel is a PhD candidate at Stony Brook University in the Department of Biomedical Engineering pursuing interests in intellectual property and management consulting. Alexander Miningham, founder and CEO of inDegree, is an entrepreneur focused on advancing career opportunities for graduate students.

Senior Analyst
Pharmaceutical/Biotech Competitive Intelligence Consultancy
CIS Life Sciences

Revised Posting – *Multiple Openings*

A rapidly growing, global competitive intelligence/strategy consultancy, specializing in the pharmaceutical sector is looking to recruit multiple Senior Analysts at various levels of experience. Candidates must have a thorough knowledge of the pharmaceutical/biotech sector with proficiency in pharmaceutical clinical development, product marketing/commercial development or reimbursement/access.

The candidate should be able to demonstrate the necessary attributes needed to be a successful analyst – inquisitive, analytical, good oral/written communication skills, sense of urgency, good judgment and a professional demeanor. An advanced science degree is required (M.S., Ph.D., M.D., Pharm.D.). Experience in pharmaceutical industry within the marketing or clinical development functions and knowledge of foreign languages is an advantage, but not required.”

The successful candidate will work out of our Mt. Olive, NJ office and will be responsible for the professional execution of client project work within a team environment.  This will include desk-based research and medical meeting attendance. The ability to have meaningful communication with leading scientists, clinicians and pharmaceutical executives is mandatory. Regular U.S. and European travel will be required.

Competitive Salary plus Benefits

Interested candidates should email their C.V. and letter of interest to CIS Life Sciences at the following address:  recruitmentus@brggroup.com

Senior Research Scientist – Applied DNA Sciences

Stony Brook, Long Island, New York

Applied DNA Sciences seeks a Senior Research Scientist to work as part of its scientific team responsible for the development and advancement of the company’s DNA security technologies and systems. The position will involve performing a range of scientific and biotechnology analyses to support the company’s commercial programs and to provide a scientific interface with customers. As an important contributor to the business, our Senior Research Scientist will be involved in prototyping products for a wide range of commercial applications, as well as implementing protocols for sample preparation, amplification, DNA sequencing using molecular biology techniques.

Outstanding candidates must have proven experience in molecular techniques. These should include but are not limited to: DNA isolation, cloning, DNA transformation, plasmid isolation and purification, digestion, primer design, polymerase chain reaction, DNA gel electrophoresis, DNA purification from agarose gels and PCR products, and capillary electrophoresis and sequencing. Additional expertise in other disciplines is a plus.

Position and Education Requirements
Masters or PhD in Molecular Biology, Genetics, or related fields is preferred, with solid experience in PCR amplification, CE analysis and DNA sequencing. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S., and able to travel to foreign countries as needed.

The best candidate must be capable of performing work with minimal supervision, have up-to-date knowledge and skills in DNA analysis, superior organizational ability and excellent communication skills. Candidates must perform work in a team environment to support current client projects to a successful conclusion. They should possess the ability to learn new methods and techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, keep accurate records, transcribe data, comply with quality control and safety procedures, work in an organized manner, and follow instructions and company policies.

Excellent written and report writing, communication and presentation skills are essential. Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as part of a team is a must. Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and other relevant scientific software is required.

The position provides excellent opportunities for growth and development in a growing and expanding company. We offer a competitive salary, medical and dental benefits, and a unique working environment. Applied DNA Sciences is an equal opportunity employer.
Please send a cover letter and CV to:

Human Resources
Applied DNA Sciences
25 Health Sciences Drive
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Fax Number:631-444-8848
E-mail address: hr@ADNAS.com

Research Associate – Applied DNA Sciences

Stony Brook, Long Island, New York

Applied DNA Sciences seeks a Research Associate to work as part of its scientific team responsible for the development and advancement of the company’s DNA security technologies and systems. The position will involve performing a range of scientific and biotechnology analyses to support the company’s commercial programs. As an important contributor to the business, our Research Associate will be involved in assisting the Senior Scientists with prototyping products for a wide range of commercial applications, as well as implementing protocols for sample preparation, amplification, DNA sequencing using molecular biology techniques.

Outstanding candidates must have proven experience in molecular techniques. These should include but are not limited to: DNA isolation, cloning, DNA transformation, plasmid isolation and purification, digestion, primer design, polymerase chain reaction, DNA gel electrophoresis, DNA purification from agarose gels and PCR products, and capillary electrophoresis and sequencing. Additional expertise in other disciplines is a plus.

Position and Education Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, or related fields is preferred, with solid experience in PCR amplification, CE analysis and DNA sequencing. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S., and able to travel to foreign countries as needed.
The best candidate must be capable of performing work with minimal supervision, have up-to-date knowledge and skills in DNA analysis, superior organizational ability and excellent communication skills. Candidates must perform work in a team environment to support current client projects to a successful conclusion. They should possess the ability to learn new methods and techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, keep accurate records, transcribe data, comply with quality control and safety procedures, work in an organized manner, and follow instructions and company policies.

Excellent written and report writing, communication and presentation skills are essential. Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as part of a team is a must. Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and other relevant scientific software is required.

The position provides excellent opportunities for growth and development in a growing and expanding company. We offer a competitive salary, medical and dental benefits, and a unique working environment. Applied DNA Sciences is an equal opportunity employer.

Please send a cover letter and CV to:

Human Resources
Applied DNA Sciences
25 Health Sciences Drive
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Fax Number: 631-444-8848
E-mail address: hr@ADNAS.com