Ready to Break into the BIOTECH Industry?

Meet the people who hire, build your network, and connect directly to industry leaders across the biotech and biopharma industry—all in one 6-week virtual experience.

Career Roundtables

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Resume Workshop

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Lab Tours

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Industry connections

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Career Roundtables 〰️ Resume Workshop 〰️ Lab Tours 〰️ Industry connections 〰️

Cohort Begins July 9 • Limited Seats Available

Included with MelanInScience Membership · $150 for non-members

JOIN THE 2026 COHORT
SPONSOR A STUDENT

STEM Connect Program

Explore Careers in Biotech, Build Industry Connections, and Accelerate Your Career Growth!

Direct Access to Industry Leaders

Get direct access to scientists, operators, and industry leaders working across biotech and biopharma.

Unlock the Hidden Biotech Job Market

Hear directly from hiring managers, scientists, and industry professionals about how careers are built in biotech.

Stand Out Before You Graduate

Build the resume, LinkedIn profile, networking strategy, and career skills that help you stand out.

Build Relationships That Open Doors

Join a cohort of ambitious students and emerging professionals navigating biotech careers together.

The STEM Connect Program

6 Weeks. live Virtual Sessions.

Led by real biotech professionals, each session is designed to provide real-world insight into biotech careers while building professional confidence and community.

Participants will also gain access to a supportive network of peers and professionals across the life sciences ecosystem.

Program Format

  • Weekly Live Sessions

  • Thursdays: July 9 – Aug 13 · 4:00–5:30 PM PST

  • On-going asynchronous support

By the end of the program you will:

  • Understand how the biotech industry operates end-to-end

  • Learn how to position yourself for science career pathways

  • Build real relationships within the industry

  • Develop communication skills for high-impact environments

To receive your end-of-program certificate, participants must attend at least 5 of the 6 live sessions.

Pricing:
Included with your MelanInScience membership at no additional cost · $150 for non-member participants

Enrollment is now open!

JOIN THE 2026 COHORT

Program outline

  • Join professionals from Sanofi to get an inside look at how the biopharma industry operates, from early discovery through commercialization. Participants will explore major sectors, industry trends, company structures, and how scientific innovation moves from the lab to real-world impact.

  • Learn from Bio-Techne how to navigate the broad range of careers within biotech, including scientific, operational, and business-focused roles. This panel focuses on identifying your strengths, understanding role types, and positioning yourself strategically for internships and early-career opportunities.

  • Participate in interactive roundtable discussions with professionals working across biotech and biopharma. Participants will rotate between small-group conversations focused on areas such as R&D, clinical operations, regulatory affairs, bioinformatics, quality, manufacturing, and business strategy, gaining direct insight into day-to-day work, career pathways, and industry experiences.

  • Item description

  • Success in biotech requires more than technical skills. This session explores workplace communication, networking, professionalism, navigating team dynamics, and the “hidden curriculum” that often shapes career advancement but is rarely formally taught.

  • Develop the skills needed to communicate confidently and professionally in scientific spaces. Participants will learn how to build a strong personal brand, improve LinkedIn presence, craft compelling introductions, and communicate effectively with industry professionals and leadership.

  • Join us for an interactive Resume Lab designed to help you strengthen how you communicate your skills and impact. Hear from industry experts during lightning talks, then receive personalized feedback on your resume in small-group breakout sessions to improve your applications and interview readiness.

  • Prepare for the biotech hiring process with practical guidance on resumes, interviewing, networking, and standing out as a candidate. This session includes strategies for behavioral and technical interviews, recruiter insights, and how to approach applications with confidence.

JOIN THE 2026 COHORT!

Welcome 2026 industry partners & SPEAKERS!

2026 industry partners

  • Sanofi

    Sanofi is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth.

  • Bio-Techne

    Bio-Techne empowers researchers by providing high-quality reagents, instruments, custom manufacturing, and testing services with our family of brands.

2026 program speakers

  • Adam Edwards

    U.S. IPA-Payer & Reimbursement Lead | Vaccines, Sanofi

  • Allie Boutin

    Director, Lead, US Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy, Rare Disease, Sanofi

  • Diego Perez Gamboa

    Senior Associate Scientist II, Immunology & Inflammation, Sanofi

  • Sandra Casiano

    Head of Global Scientific Communications, Sanofi

  • Therese

    Therese Ogbonna Dodds

    Community Development Account Manager, S. California & Hawaii, Sanofi

  • Dr. Michelle Collins, PHD, MBA

    Senior Director, Strategic & Innovation Development, Bio-Techne

  • Richard Brooks, PHD

    Senior Director, Commercial Leader, Spatial Biology, DivisionBio-Techne

  • Adeola Adeyemo, PHD

    Manager, Technical Support, Bio-Techne

  • Jackie Akech, PHD

    Senior Manager Professional Assay Services, Bio-Techne

  • Aneesa Valentine

    Senior SciOps Engineer, DataJoint Founder @ Impakt Bio

  • Jasmine Muse

    Sr Manager, Global Regulatory Affairs, CMC, UCB

  • Chandllor Huff, MPH

    Sr. Clinical Research Associate, Denali Therapeutics

  • Sharvari Akre-Bhide

    Clinical Trial Manager
    Denali Therapuetics

  • Subana Paramuthevar

    Founder @ Olai Recruitment & DEI Leader

  • Carmen Banks, PHD

    Founder @ MelanInScience

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The STEM Connect is a career development program designed to expose students & early career professionals to careers in biotech, biopharma, and related STEM industries. The program bridges the gap between academic training and industry careers through educational programming, professional development, and direct engagement with industry leaders.

  • Nope, the program is open to everyone!

    We welcome students and professionals of all levels and backgrounds, including STEM and non-STEM!

  • To receive your end-of-program certificate, you’ll need to attend at least 5 of the 6 live sessions.

  • Absolutely! All programming is virtual and timezone-inclusive when possible.

  • Plan for 1.5 hour per week, plus self-paced professional development assignments.

  • Participants will gain:

    • Insight into diverse career pathways across the life sciences ecosystem

    • Professional development skills (career navigation, networking, personal branding)

    • Direct engagement with industry professionals and companies

    • Expanded professional networks and access to workforce opportunities

  • Once registered, you will receive a calendar invite and virtual meeting link for all your chosen sessions, as well as access to our private slack channel.

  • Although we do recommend joining the MelanInScience Professional Network to get the most out of the program and to receive access to all of our other events, resources, and community offerings — membership is not required to participate in the program.

    Join the Community Today: https://melaninscience.memberful.com/

    Non-members are welcome to register at a rate of $150 per participant.

    MelanInScience members receive access to the Accelerator at no additional cost as part of their membership.

  • For questions about the UC Davis STEM Connect Program, please contact Carmen at: melaninscience@gmail.com

Ready to

KICKSTART

YOUR Biotech CAREER?

Join the 2026 cohort today!