(GUELPH CHAPTER) Women in Science: Breaking the Glass Ceiling

This month, we are celebrating Women's Day early by highlighting remarkable women in STEM. Join us Thursday February 25th from 7pm - 8pm to hear journeys from four women in STEM who are currently working in industry. We will be highlighting the importance and value of women in science and hope to inspire and motivate graduate students to pursue a career in industry. Discuss your successes, obstacles and barriers, and learn about industry opportunities from our all-women panel! All are welcome!

Barbora Hrapkova, Product Manager at BD

With an undergraduate degree in Life Sciences from Queen’s University, Barbora has always been very passionate about healthcare. After graduation, she began to explore how healthcare and business intersect through marketing roles in the medical device industry. Barbora then joined the MBA with co-op program at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. Through this program, she has gained experience in both community and academic hospitals, as well as healthcare supply chain. She leverages her business skills and knowledge of the healthcare system in her role as a Product Manager in the Medical Device industry.

Kyla Cochrane, Research and Bioinformatic Manager at Nubiyota LLC

Kyla completed her PhD at the University of Guelph studying the fundamental aspects of Fusobacterium nucleatum and its role in human infection within the gut microbiome, particularly in patients suffering from colorectal cancer. Following her PhD studies, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the BC Cancer Agency. Currently, Kyla is working as a Research and Bioinformatics Manager at Nubiyota, a pharmaceutical/biotechnology company based at the University of Guelph. Nubiyota is currently commercializing live microbial therapeutics in Phase I and Phase II human clinical trials to treat various diseases such as gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, anxiety and depression, and metabolic syndromes. Working in a startup has given Kyla an exciting and diverse list of responsibilities ranging from data analysis to liaisoning with clinicians. 

Sarah Farr, Associate at Genesys Capital 

Sarah joined Genesys Capital in 2020 as an Associate, bringing to the team eight years of experience at the bench in laboratory research and discovery. Before Genesys, she worked as a Business Development Officer in the Industry Partnerships & Commercialization office at the Hospital for Sick Children, where she identified commercial opportunities, managed industry partnerships, and handled the Research Institute’s intellectual property. She also led company creation efforts around a lead spin-off opportunity, including engagement of investors, pharma partners, and KOLs. Sarah received her PhD from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto where she studied the effects of an anti-diabetic hormone on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. She also has a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) with a minor in Biochemistry from McMaster University.

Krista Coventry, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Source Nutraceutical Inc.

Krista is the director of regulatory affairs at a contract research organization.  She specializes in strategic planning for health product commercialization and has broad expertise in the critical evaluation of evidence-based clinical research and she continues to expand her expert knowledge of acts, regulations, policies, and guidelines relating to various types of products. Krista has presented regulatory perspectives on various health sector themes and industry conferences, workshops and seminars. She has also authored regulatory-themes articles for several leading industry publications. Krista is currently completing her PhD in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences with a focus on clinical research pertaining to health benefits and consumer awareness of functional foods and natural health products. 

Session Objectives:

• Learn about the importance and value of women in science across varying fields
• Discuss your successes, obstacles, and barriers in science and business-related careers
• Discover career opportunities for graduate students in industry
• Connect with like-minded graduate students

This is a FREE event

A Zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the event.