Career Development Symposium

This unique annual symposium, organized by the Postdoctoral Association (PDA) since 2017 and now in collaboration with Your Future in Science, gathers postdocs and grad students from across the greater Chicago area and country to connect, network, collaborate and learn about different PhD career paths. The goal of this event is to educate postdocs and grad students about careers in academia, industry, communications, business, and beyond. We bring in outstanding speakers and panelists to come share their experience to inspire budding postdocs and graduate students into fulfilling careers.

 

The 8th Annual Career Development Symposium was held on Friday, September 13th, 2024 in the Thompson Rooms at UIC Student Center West.

2024 Career Development Symposium Heading link

The 2024 Career Development Symposium will be held on Friday, September 14, 2024 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm in the MM Thompson Rooms in Student Center West. The event features a keynote address by Sandra Torres; Career Track Panels including entrepreneurship, applying your skills to industries you may not have considered, and making the transition from academia; as well as sign-up for professional headshots, networking, interactive workshop, and more!

 

2024 Career Development Symposium: Thank You to Our Sponsors! Heading link

UIC Office of Career Services logo
UIC Office of Career Services
Career Services empowers you to find your fit in the world of work. We offer one-on-one advising, career preparation programs, and events to help connect you with opportunities.
UIC Office of Technology Management Logo
UIC Office of Technology Management
OTM commercializes research & educational activities at UIC. Our mission is to encourage innovation, enhance research, and facilitate economic development through the transfer of intellectual property.
Proteintech Logo
Proteintech
As a company founded by scientists, Proteintech Group recognizes the tireless efforts and sacrifices made by researchers to advance scientific discovery.
HappiLabs Logo
HappiLabs
By supporting scientists, we’re helping everyone on the planet benefit from their inventions and discoveries. The HappiLabs mission is to improve the happiness of scientists and the quality of their research.
CHIentist Logo
Chientist
CHIentist is a grassroots initiative that seeks to create a sense of community and build new connections among life scientists and professionals in the Chicago area by encouraging networking on a regular basis.
New England BioLabs Logo with Monarch Butterfly
New England Biolabs
Founded in the mid-1970s as a collective of scientists committed to developing innovative products for the life sciences industry, NEB is now a recognized world leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications.

CDS 2024 Agenda Heading link

Event TimeProgram
9:30-10 amRegistration and check-in
9:30 am-5 pmProfessional Headshot sign-up, sponsored by UIC Career Services. Slots will be given on a first come, first served basis. Headshots will be held on Wednesday, September 18 from 12-2 pm in SCW
10-11 amOpening Remarks by Joanna Groden, PhD, UIC Vice Chancellor for Research

Interactive Workshop: Elevate Your Interview Game-A STEM Professional's Guide with Merle Ward, MBA, Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor at UL Research Institutes

Join UL Research Institute's Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor, Merle Ward, for an empowering workshop designed to help STEM professionals stand out with confidence in their interviews. "Elevate Your Interview Game" is a dynamic conversation that will guide you through refining your interview approach, preparing effectively, and articulating both your soft and technical skills in impactful ways. With Merle Ward's insights, you'll learn how to communicate your contribution and worth with strength and respect, setting yourself up for success and career offers. Don't miss this transformative opportunity to enhance your interview skills and advance your scientific career.
11 am-12 pmCareer Panel 1: Entrepreneurship

Dimitra Georganopoulou, PhD, General Partner at Qral Ventures

Amanda Maldonado, PhD, Innovation Portfolio Manager at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Karol Sokolowski, PhD, Director of Strategic Growth at Portal Innovations
12-1 pmNetworking lunch
1-2 pmPanel 2: Applying Your Skills to Industries You May Not Have Considered

Kyle Dolan, PhD, Head of Science and Innovation at British Consulate-General Chicago

Timothy Duncan, PhD, Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at the US Food and Drug Administration

Noah Metoki-Shlubsky, PhD, Technical Project Manager, Center for Translational Data Science at the University of Chicago
2-3 pmPanel 3: Making the Transition from Academia

Jonathan Bisson, PhD, Senior Software Engineer at Collaborative Drug Discovery

Schnaude Dorizan, PhD, Venture Acceleration Manager at MATTER

Svetlana Kurilova, PhD, Associate Technology Manager at UIC Office of Technology Management
3-3:15 pmCoffee and networking break
3:15-4 pmKeynote Address by Sandra Torres, MBA, Business Marketing Manager at Western Digital, Founder/CEO of LaterAcademia, and Women In Bio Chicago Co-Chair
4-5 pmNetworking Reception hosted by CHIentist with raffle from Proteintech

Past Symposia Heading link

The 7th annual UIC PDA Career Development Symposium was held on Friday, September 15, 2023 at UIC Student Center West.

TimeProgram
10:30-11:00 amRegistration and check-in
11:00 am-12:00 pmOpening Remarks: Dr. Joanna Groden - Vice Chancellor for Research at UIC

Keynote Address: Dr. Azurii Collier - Director, Enterprise Innovation at AbbVie
12:00-1:00 pmLunch
12:00-5:00 pmProfessional headshots for 50 attendees. Slots will be given on a first come, first served basis at check-in!
1:00-2:00 pmPanel 1: Careers in Science Outreach and Communication

• Kate Golembiewski, MS - PR and Science Communications Manager at The Field Museum
• Dr. Priya Mathur - Senior Publications Manager at AbbVie
• Dr. Rob Mitchum - Director of Research and Science Communications at UIC
• Dr. Alexandra “Sasha” Prokuda - Executive Director of the Chicago Council on Science & Technology (C2ST)
• Dr. Mohana Ray - Associate Director, Scientific Communications at HDMZ
2:00-3:00 pmPanel 2: Research Careers On and Off the Bench

• Dr. Mitch Connolly - Data Bioinformatician at ACL Laboratories
• Dr. Carrie Franzen - Principal Scientist, Head of Modeling Lab Biorepository at Tempus Labs Inc.
• Dr. Elizabeth Glover - Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UIC
• Dr. Shrikant Pandya - Data Scientist and Machine Learning Engineer at Ascension Data Science Institute
3:00-4:00 pmPanel 3: Careers in Business of Research

• Dr. Brian Bunker - Staff Data Scientist at Intelligent Medical Objects
• Dr. Michael Fitzsimons - Director of Research Programs and Business Development, Center for Translational Data Science at The University of Chicago
• Dr. Elizabeth McMath - Senior Director, New Program Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Chicago Biomedical Consortium
• Dr. Amanda Schalk - Co-Founder and COO of Enzyme By Design and Research Assistant Professor at UIC
4:00-5:00 pmInteractive Workshop-Interviewing for Industry Positions: Dr. Afrida Rahman-Enyart - Product Manager at Proteintech
5:00-6:30 pmNetwork Reception with CHIentist

The sixth annual UIC PDA Career Development Symposium was held on Friday, September 16, 2022 at UIC Student Center West.

CDS 2023 Agenda

TimeProgram
11:30 am-12 pmRegistration, check-in, and lunch. To guarantee a boxed lunch, you must register by Friday, September 9th.
12:00-1:15 pmOpening Remarks: Dr. Joanna Groden – Vice Chancellor for Research, UIC

Academic Keynote Address: Dr. Melanie McReynolds - Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Pennsylvania State University

Introduction to the Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC) and Entrepreneurial Fellows Program by Dr. Michelle Hoffmann, CBC Executive Director
1:15-2:15 pmPanel 1: Academic Careers and Supporting Academic Research

• Dr. Rao Kotamarthi - Senior Scientist in the Environmental Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory
• Dr. Lara Leoni - Technical Director of the Integrated Small Animal Imaging Research Resource at University of Chicago
• Dr. Sarah O'Brien - Director of Research Development at UIC
• Dr. Ming Wu - Research Scientist, Associate Professor of Bioengineering, UIC and Adjunct Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, NU
2:15-3:15 pmPanel 2: Careers in Physical Sciences and Engineering

• Dr. Ana Moraes - Principal Chemist at Ecolab
• Dr. Javier Tiffenberg - Scientist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Associate Fellow at Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics UChicago
3:15-4:15 pmPanel 3: Careers in Industry On and Off the Bench

• Dr. Ivelisse Cajigas - Senior Scientist at Abbott
• Dr. Adam Kailiang Li - Sr. Technical Account Manager at GenScript
• Dr. Jackee Sanchez - Medical Science Liaison at AstraZeneca
• Dr. Pam Schilling - CEO at Archer Career
4:15-5:00 pmIndustry Keynote Address: Dr. Donald Cheatem - Product Development Clinical Lead, Bermekimab CMO, Janssen Pharmaceuticals of Johnson and Johnson
5:00-6:30 pmNetwork Reception with CHIentist

The fifth annual UIC PDA Career Development Symposium was held virtually September 20th-24th, 2021.

DateTimeProgram
Monday, September 13, 20214:00-5:00 pm CTPre-CDS Workshop: Developing, Enhancing, and Leveraging your LinkedIn Profile

Lauren Celano, Co-Founder and CEO, Propel Careers
Monday, September 20, 202112:30-2:00 pm CTOpening Remarks: Dr. Joanna Groden – Vice Chancellor for Research, UIC

Opening Industry Keynote Address: Dr. Jim Audia – Founder and President of Audia Consulting, LLC, Distinguished Scientist at FLARE Therapeutics, and former director of the Chicago Biomedical Consortium

Title: Reflections on a Career in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Tuesday, September 21, 20214:00-5:00 pm CTCareers at Core Facilities Panel

• Dr. Jiwang Chen - Director, Cardiovascular Research Core, Research Resources Center, UIC
• Dr. Jesse Cushman - Neurobehavioral Core Director, The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• Dr. Alvaro G. Hernandez - Director of DNA Services, UIUC
• Dr. Maria Sverdlov - Director, Histology Core, UIC
5:00-6:00 pm CTInformal Networking with Panelists
Wednesday, September 22, 20214:00-5:00 pm CTMedical Science Liaison Career Panel

• Dr. Adriana Bora - Medical Science Liaison, Neurology at Sanofi Genzyme
• Dr. Denise Briggs - Medical Science Liaison at AbbVie
• Dr. Mitch R. D'Rozario - Malignant Hematology Medical Science Liaison at Genentech
• Dr. Sadie Nennig - Medical Science Liaison, Neurology at Bristol Myers Squibb
5:00-6:00 pm CTInformal Networking with Panelists
Thursday, September 23, 20219:00-9:45 am CTCoffee Conversation with UIC Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Joanna Groden
4:00-5:00 pm CTIndustry Postdoc Panel

• Dr. Nabeelah Kauser - Former Postdoc at Merck and Scientist at Mersana Therapeutics
• Dr. Lluc Mosteiro - Postdoctoral Scientist at Genentech
• Dr. Frank Olechnowicz - Former Postdoc and now Scientist at Behr Paint Company
• Dr. Lindsay Stolzenburg - Former postdoctoral Scientist at AbbVie Genomics Research Center and Scientist at Exicure
5:00-6:00 pm CTInformal Networking with Panelists
Friday, September 24, 202110:30 am-11:45 am CTAcademic Keynote Address: Dr. Antentor "AJ" O. Hinton Jr. - Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University

Title: Becoming Visible in STEM While Finding Your Niche

Closing Remarks

The fourth annual UIC PDA Career Development Symposium was held virtually September 21st-25th, 2020.

DateTimeProgram
Monday, September 21, 20209:30-10:30 amOpening Academic Keynote Address: Zorina Galis, PhD – Chief, Vascular Biology and Hypertension Branch at National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH
Tuesday, September 22, 202011:00-11:45 amCoffee Conversation with UIC Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Joanna Groden
4:00-5:00 pmCareers in Academia Panel

• Craig Goergen, PhD - Leslie A. Geddes Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University
• Briana Konnick, PhD - Associate Director, Graduate Career Development at University of Chicago
• Mark Maienschein-Cline, PhD - Director of the Core for Research Informatics at University of Illinois at Chicago
• Giselle Sandi, PhD - Deputy Division Director at Argonne National Laboratory
5:00-6:00 pmInformal Networking with Panelists
Wednesday, September 23, 20204:00-5:00 pmIndustry and Business of Science Career Panel

• Brian Haldeman, PhD - Field Application Scientist at Cytiva
• Shyama Majumdar, PhD, MBA - Science Venture Lead at University of Chicago
• David Ryba, PhD - Scientist I, Pharmacology at MyoKardia
• Eric Schiffhauer PhD - Scientific Collaboration Director at Northwestern University
5:00-6:00 pmInformal Networking with Panelists
Thursday, September 24, 20204:00-5:00 pmScience Communications Career Panel

• Minsu Kang, PhD - Senior Medical Science Liaison at Biogen
• Kristoffer Myczek, PhD - Senior Medical Writer at Virgo Health
• Ana Vicente Sanchez, PhD - Scientific Associate at PrecisionValue
• Natasha Wadlington, PhD - Medical Writer at SB Pharma Solutions
5:00-6:00 pmInformal Networking with Panelists
5:00-6:00 pm Virtual Booth with Lynn Hazan & Associates
Friday, September 25, 202011:30 am-1:00 pmClosing Remarks by UIC Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Joanna Groden and Keynote Address by Jim Sullivan, PhD -Chief Executive Officer at Chamisi & Vanqua Bio
Title: Delivering Transformative Medicines; Great Science and Teamwork as the Key Ingredients

The third iteration of the annual UIC PDA Career Development Symposium was held on Friday, September 13th, 2019.

This annual symposium, organized by the Postdoctoral Association (PDA) since 2017, gathers postdocs and graduate students from across the greater Chicago area to connect, network, collaborate and learn about different PhD career paths. The goal is to educate postdocs and graduate students about careers in academia, industry, communications, business, and beyond. The PDA brings in outstanding speakers and panelists to come share their experience to inspire budding postdocs and graduate students into fulfilling careers.

September 13, 2019
12:00pm – 7:00pm

University of Illinois at Chicago
M.M. Thompson Room ABC
Student Center West
828 South Wolcott Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612

Schedule:

12:00pm
Inauguration of Symposium and Opening Remarks

  • Joanna Groden, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research, UIC
  • Peyton Bohnsack, PhD, Chair, 2019 Career Development Symposium Executive Committee

12:30pm
Keynote Address

Adam Ruben, PhD, writer, comedian, storyteller, science communicator, and molecular biologist

1:30pm
Lunch Break and Informal Networking with Speakers, Sponsors, and Panelists

2:30pm
Career Track Panels

3:30pm
Coffee Break

4:00pm
Career Track Panels

5:00pm
Reception and Networking Event

Friday, September 14, 2018
Student Center West
828 S. Wolcott Ave
Chicago, IL 60612

This unique symposium gathered postdoctoral fellows and graduate students from across the greater Chicago area to connect, network, collaborate and learn about different career paths emanating from their postdoctoral experience.

Schedule:

12:00pm
Inauguration of Symposium and introductory remarks

Mitra Dutta, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research, UIC

Luisa DiPietro, DDS, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, UIC

12:15pm

Career choices for PhDs – Opening the doors of opportunity

Melanie Sinche, NCC, Director of Education, Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine

1:15pm

Lunch Break and informal networking with speakers and panelists

2:00pm

Career Track Panel Discussion (first iteration)

1. Careers in Academia

Panelists: Jody Martin, PhD; Valerie Miller, PhD; Kathleen O’Hagan, PhD; Amynah Pradhan, PhD

2. Business & Entrepreneurship Careers

Panelists: Garry Cooper, PhD; Melissa Maderia, PhD; Rama Sashank, PhD

3. Science Communication Careers

Panelists: Kim Fischer, PhD; Jeff Mosenson, PhD; Vidhya Sivakumaran, PhD; Stacey Tobin, PhD

4. Industry Careers

Panelists: James E Audia, PhD; Jeffrey Knight, PhD; Mario Neto, PhD; Andy Vick, PhD

3:30pm

Coffee break

4:00pm
Career Track Panel Discussion (repeat)

1. Careers in Academia

Panelists: Jody Martin, PhD; Valerie Miller, PhD; Kathleen O’Hagan, PhD; Amynah Pradhan, PhD

2. Business & Entrepreneurship Careers

Panelists: Garry Cooper, PhD; Melissa Maderia, PhD; Rama Sashank, PhD

3. Science Communication Careers

Panelists: Kim Fischer, PhD; Jeff Mosenson, PhD; Vidhya Sivakumaran, PhD; Stacey Tobin, PhD

4. Industry Careers

Panelists: James E Audia, PhD; Jeffrey Knight, PhD; Mario Neto, PhD; Andy Vick, PhD

5:30pm

Closing remarks and reception

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Student Center West
828 South Wolcott Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612

This unique symposium will gather postdoctoral fellows and graduate students from across the greater Chicago area to connect, network, collaborate and learn about different career paths emanating from their postdoctoral experience.

Schedule:

12:00pm
Inauguration of Symposium and introductory remarks
  • Mitra Dutta, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research, UIC
  • Robert A. Barish, MD, MBA, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, UIC
12:15pm
Grab the Bull by the Horns – Taking Steps to a Fulfilling Career in Science
Keynote Speaker: Joanne Kamens, PhD, Executive Director, Addgene
1:15pm
Lunch Break and informal networking with speakers and panelists
2:00pm
Future of scientific research and role of junior researchers: get in the driver’s seat!
Guest Speaker: Gary McDowell, PhD, Executive Director, Future of Research (FOR) Inc.

2:50pm
Coffee Break

3:00pm

 

Career Track Workshops (First Choice)
1. Industry Careers: Industry Research, Research Scientist, Regulatory Affairs
2. Science Communication Careers: Science/Medical Writers, Medical Science Liaisons, Science Communicator
3. Business and Science Careers: Consultants, Venture Capitalists & Private Equity, Technology Transfer & Commercialization
4. Careers in Academia: Core Facility, Program Director, Research/Teaching Faculty

4:00pm
Break

4:10pm
Career Track Workshops (Second Choice)
1. Industry Careers: Industry Research, Research Scientist, Regulatory Affairs
2. Science Communication Careers: Science/Medical Writers, Medical Science Liaisons, Science Communicator
3. Business and Science Careers: Consultants, Venture Capitalists & Private Equity, Technology Transfer & Commercialization
4. Careers in Academia: Core Facility, Program Director, Research/Teaching Faculty
5:10pm
Closing Remarks
5:20pm
Reception and Networking Event – Organized by Chicago based Scientists, CHIentist
CHIentist is a grassroots initiative that seeks to create a sense of community and build new connections among life scientists and professionals in the Chicago area by encouraging networking on a regular basis. Our organization provides a platform for in-person and virtual communication, exchanges of ideas and opportunities, and the maintenance of interpersonal bonds that support future career endeavors. CHIentist helps to bridge the gap between long separated groups under a common interest in science and a desire for a collaborative and nurturing community in Chicago.