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Transitions Program

The Transitions Program aims to help prepare early career scientists for the next stage of their careers and broaden the national chemistry network. The Transitions Program strives to expose early career scientists to the diverse array of careers possible with a chemistry degree and create the opportunity to showcase local innovation.

Monday, Jun. 3

Community involvement breakfast

Monday, Jun. 3
7 – 8 AM CT

Location: Meeting Room 5

A key catalyst in your transition from academia to industry is getting involved in your community! By taking action in your community, you will position yourself to meet countless like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds, who by working together, become an indispensable member of your network. Not to mention, volunteering is an excellent way to improve your non-technical skills. Join us on the morning of Monday, June 3rd to learn ways to get involved in different opportunities within the CIC: Local Sections, Student Chapters, and Member Resource Groups such as Canadians Working for Inclusivity in Chemical Sciences, Engineering and Technology Network (CWIC) and Pride. Enjoy a light breakfast, sign up to volunteer, and make friends with other conference delegates before heading to the first day of technical sessions – space is limited.

Sponsored by:

How to network workshop

Monday, Jun. 3
8:00 -9:20 AM CT

Location: Meeting Room 5

Networking is an essential job search tool and important for career planning and career management.  Attend this workshop to learn strategies and approaches to support your experience at this conference and beyond.

Presented by: University of Manitoba Career Services within the Career, Community & Experiential Learning Centre supports students and alumni with career planning, job search, networking, interview preparation, resumé, CV and cover letter development. They offer individual appointments and workshops on these topics and more, and host a wide range of supportive online resources.

Exploring careers outside of the laboratory panel discussion

Monday, Jun. 3
3:40 – 5:20 PM CT

Location: Pan Am Room

Join the conversation! This panel will showcase career options for chemists curious about applying their skills and training outside of the traditional academia or industry paths.

Panelists:

ChemJobber
Bio: Chemjobber is a commentator on chemistry jobs, writing for chemists of all experience levels who want to find their first job, meet their next mentor, or radically reevaluate their careers. His data-oriented approach has made him a sought-after speaker, visiting US and Canadian universities to help young chemists think about what their career path looks like, what the current job market looks like, and how to face the ever-evolving future of the global chemical enterprise. He is employed in the chemical manufacturing industry, helping to deliver pharmaceutical ingredients to the customer on the ton scale, initially from the laboratory and now in a leadership position. Working in industry since 2009, he has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry (total synthesis of natural products) and did his postdoctoral fellowship as an industrial postdoc at Pfizer in synthetic methodology. 

Chemjobber blogs at chemjobber.com. Since 2008, the blog covers the chemistry employment market, chemical safety and other issues of important to chemists and the chemical enterprise. He has written extensively for Chemistry World and Chemical and Engineering News. 

Charles GrossCharles Goss, WSP Canada Inc.
Bio: After completing his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, Charles Goss joined WSP Canada Inc. where he is now the Water Treatment Team Lead for the Prairies and Nunavut regions. During his academic and professional career, Charles has focused much of his work on improving drinking water conditions in northern communities across Canada.

Charles has been directly involved in a number of drinking water emergencies in north related to the impacts of climate change including the 2019 Iqaluit Water Shortage Emergency and the Cross Lake Water and Wastewater Emergency Plan in 2021.

Matt ZamoraMatt Zamora, Nanalysis
Bio: As a trailblazer in the realms of chemistry and business, Dr. Matt Zamora embodies the spirit of exploration and innovation. Hailing from the dynamic landscapes of the East Coast, Dr. Zamora’s career path was circuitous, and never followed the typical story beats of oft-cited “plan”.

Matt pursued a BScHon degree with the esteemed Steve Westcott at Mount Allison University, followed by a PhD at the University of Alberta under the mentorship of Marty Cowie. His academic pursuit continued with a transformative postdoctoral stint at Tokyo University of A&T, broadening horizons and embracing cultural exchange. He also pursued other postdoctoral collaborations with Paul Hayes as well as Cathleen Crudden.

However, a pivotal career shift beckoned as he transitioned from the laboratory to the vibrant world of business, joining Nanalysis in 2016, a leading manufacturer of benchtop NMR systems. Starting humbly as a Sales Representative, Dr. Zamora swiftly ascended the ranks to assume the role of Sales Manager, and ultimately as the company’s Director of Sales, supervising a global sales team for NMR and MRI sales.

Under Dr. Zamora’s sales leadership, Nanalysis has flourished, evolving into a publicly traded entity and cementing its status as an industry leader. Dr. Zamora continues to spearhead transformative sales initiatives towards aggressive growth and dominating market share.

Matt’s unconventional journey, fraught with struggles & challenges, stands as a testament to the limitless possibilities that await those who dare to venture beyond the confines of the laboratory.

Embrace curiosity, seize opportunities, and forge your own path to success.

Jennilee Gavina, Gilead Sciences Inc

Bio: Jennilee is a proud Winnipegger with a double major in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Winnipeg. She completed her PhD in Analytical Chemistry from McMaster University with a focus on separation science and bioanalytical screening techniques before spending time at Health Canada as a Visiting Fellow. Here she supported risk assessment and hazard identification of environmental chemicals and food biomonitoring in the Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Exposure and Biomonitoring Division.

Jennilee is currently a Director in Analytical Operations and Development at Gilead Alberta ULC, a role that has taken her away from routine bench work despite being responsible for many lab activities. In her role she supports analytical aspects of clinical drug substance manufacturing and development from early phase through to commercialization. This includes supporting marketing authorizations and regulatory inspections, as well as cross-functional collaborations with many formally trained scientists in non-lab-based roles. She is an advocate for Women in Science and an active member of Women at Gilead Canada.

Moderated by:

Deborah Nicoll-Griffith, CIC Chair

Publishing in chemistry – panel and discussion

Monday, Jun. 3
3:40 -5:20 PM CT

Location: Meeting Room 5

Publishing is an essential part of being a scientist. However, understanding where to start and how the system works can be daunting for new chemists. This panel will strive to unwrap the dos and don’ts of publishing your researcher and answer questions you have about the publishing process. Aimed at graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other early career researchers, this panel will walk you through tips of being an author, from developing to submitting your article, and tips on being a reviewer, from an overview of the peer review process (i.e., what happens when you submit your paper) to how to construct a useful review and respond to reviewers’ comments.

Join Canadian Journal of Chemistry Editors-in-Chief Stacey Wetmore and Yining Huang for a hosted panel and Q&A with editors and board members from a broad range of chemistry journals. Presented by Canadian Science Publishing.

Tuesday, Jun. 4

Transition: chemist to entrepreneur (Tuesday AM1)

Tuesday, Jun. 4
8 – 9:20 AM
Location: Meeting Room 5

Join us for a full day of events centered around chemists and their start-ups!

Special guest: Santhosh Kallivalappil PhD,  Executive Director of Research and Development, Novel Biotechnologies Inc.
(8 – 8:40 AM CT)

Bio: Santhosh Thomas Kallivallipal is Executive R&D Director at Novel Biotechnology Inc., located at the University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne Campus in Winnipeg, Canada. With over 20 years of experience in academic and industrial research and development related to regenerative medicine product development, Dr. Kallivallipal earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Cochin University of Science & Technology in India. His doctoral work focused on the neuroendocrine pathway of diabetes progression to identify treatment strategies that could help address the challenges of treating diabetes in India’s growing population. During his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Kallivallipal studied pulmonary hypertension and neural stem cells, particularly interested in understanding chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and treating neurological diseases. These are two critical healthcare challenges faced by lower-middle-income countries, including India. Dr. Kallivallipal still collaborates with faculties at his alma mater in India. Dr Kallivallipal is committed to developing sustainable, accessible, and cost-efficient cell and gene therapy. He hopes to utilize his skills and experience to support product development to enhance healthcare access and economic empowerment. To this end, he conceptualized and developed the NBx™ technology platform for pDNA manufacturing, accelerating cell and gene therapy (CGT) product development and potentially making CGT products more accessible to lower-middle-income countries, including India. His work and the team at Novel Biotechnology Inc. reflect a commitment to bridging gaps in the biotechnology industry that prevent cell and gene therapy products from being accessible to lower-middle-income countries due to high treatment costs.

Start-up Talk: Alvin Zhou, Atop Materials. (8:40 – 9 AM CT)

Abstract: Waterproof coatings have been widely used across multiple fields, including outdoor apparel, maritime engineering, and construction, playing an indispensable role in enhancing the integrity, durability, and functionality of a wide array of materials and structures. These coatings are crucial for maintaining performance and extending the lifespan of products in various environments, from harsh weather conditions to aquatic settings. Conventionally, water-repellent coatings have relied on the use of PFCs (per- and polyfluorochemicals), which pose significant environmental and health risks such as cancer and fetal defects. Due to the inconsiderate use of PFCs, it has accumulated in almost all water sources globally and is detectable in 99% of living creatures. In response to these concerns, Atop Materials Inc. has introduced an innovative water-repellent coating that adopts a 100% fluorine-free, environmentally friendly formula. This unconventional coating is produced via a proprietary, rapid one-step chemical reaction, at a relatively low cost. The coating can be applied to a broad range of surfaces (e.g., fabric, wood, paper, glass, and plastic) via spray or dipping method and delivers exceptional water repellency unmatched in the industry. Additionally, Atop’s coating technology features a distinctive encapsulation ability, enabling the integration of dyes and fluorescent particles, further broadening its application potential.

Start-Up Accelerator Talk: Maedeh Ramezani, Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. (9 – 9:20 AM CT)

Abstract: KPM-Accelerate is a division of Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. (KPM) that helps bring process scale-up considerations and commercialization guidance to early-stage chemistry-technology (chemtech) ventures.  KPM is a Canadian firm located in Kingston (Ontario) with 20+ years of expertise advising clients in the mining and resources sectors, as well and industrial chemistry, recycling processes, and the clean-tech industry on process development.  KPM-A leverages these capabilities to support and advise start-ups. KPM-A provides desktop studies and mentorship services to entrepreneurs commercializing technologies at TRL 2-4 who are seeking 3rd party validation or guidance.  The accelerator focuses on providing clarity on process, economics, and direction to help ventures raise the funds necessary to finance their scale-up.

Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. (KPM): KPM is a Canadian firm located in Kingston (Ontario) that specializes in chemical process development and scale-up for a wide range of industries.  They are a global leader in process development with 20+ years of experience advising start-ups, SMEs, and multinationals in the mining and resources sectors, as well and industrial chemistry, recycling processes, and the clean-tech industry.  KPM owns and operates 40,000+ sqft of office, laboratories and development bay space dedicated to process scale-up, mini-piloting, pilot testing, and demonstration plants.  The company employs 60+ chemist, engineers, scientists, and technologists that provide complete scale-up support including process modelling and flowsheet development, techno-economic studies, and experimental development and demonstration.  

Transition: chemist to entrepreneur (Tuesday AM2)

Tuesday, Jun. 4
9:40 – 10:40 AM
Location: Meeting Room 5

Panel discussion: Entrepreneurship and Failure

Panelists:

Chris Caputo, York University & Bic
Bio: Dr. Christopher Caputo is an Associate Professor and Tier II Canada Research Chair in the Department of Chemistry at York University. He earned his Honours BSc from the University of Windsor and his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto. He further advanced his research as an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University. Outside academia, Dr. Caputo has made significant strides in industry; he was the Director of Research and Development at the Toronto-based startup, Inkbox, which pioneered semi-permanent tattoo technology and was acquired by BIC in 2022. Following the acquisition, he serves as the Chief Science Officer for Skin Compatible Technology at BIC. Dr. Caputo’s diverse experiences have shaped his research group’s interests, which focus on both fundamental main-group chemistry and the entrepreneurial application of chemical discoveries for commercialization.

Santhosh Kallivallapil, Novel Biotechnologies
Bio: Santhosh Thomas Kallivallipal is Executive R&D Director at Novel Biotechnology Inc., located at the University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne Campus in Winnipeg, Canada. With over 20 years of experience in academic and industrial research and development related to regenerative medicine product development, Dr. Kallivallipal earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Cochin University of Science & Technology in India. His doctoral work focused on the neuroendocrine pathway of diabetes progression to identify treatment strategies that could help address the challenges of treating diabetes in India’s growing population. During his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Kallivallipal studied pulmonary hypertension and neural stem cells, particularly interested in understanding chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and treating neurological diseases. These are two critical healthcare challenges faced by lower-middle-income countries, including India. Dr. Kallivallipal still collaborates with faculties at his alma mater in India. Dr Kallivallipal is committed to developing sustainable, accessible, and cost-efficient cell and gene therapy. He hopes to utilize his skills and experience to support product development to enhance healthcare access and economic empowerment. To this end, he conceptualized and developed the NBx™ technology platform for pDNA manufacturing, accelerating cell and gene therapy (CGT) product development and potentially making CGT products more accessible to lower-middle-income countries, including India. His work and the team at Novel Biotechnology Inc. reflect a commitment to bridging gaps in the biotechnology industry that prevent cell and gene therapy products from being accessible to lower-middle-income countries due to high treatment costs.

Brenna Brown, Calgary One Health Laboratories
Bio: Dr. Brenna Brown is the CEO and Cofounder of Cohlab (Calgary One Health Laboratories), a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. After completing her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Alberta, Dr. Brown worked for Mitacs Inc. as a Business Development Specialist at the University of Calgary. It is this experience that gave Dr. Brown her first experience of the exciting world of innovation, tech transfer, and industry-academic collaborations. From there, Dr. Brown worked as the Business Development Representative and then Regional Manager for Paracel Laboratories in Calgary, establishing the laboratory in a new business market. Since leaving Paracel in 2018, Dr. Brown has been employed as the National Laboratory Services Manager for Brenntag Canada, where she has built a strong Laboratory Services team across Canada. It is the culmination of Dr. Brown’s experience in organic, analytical, and environmental chemistry, business development and sales, and her experience in building and managing different laboratories that inspired Dr. Brown, along with her two co-founders to start Cohlab in the spring of 2023.

Facilitator: Daniel Heschuk, Program Development Specialist, Science Innovation Hub
Bio: Daniel Heschuk works as the program development specialist at the Faculty of Science’s Innovation Hub at the University of Manitoba. Over the course of his undergraduate and graduate research, he grew progressively more involved in industry partnerships and research commercialization. In the last year of his MSc., unsure of where his career was headed, he took part in the Lab2Market program allowing him to practice entrepreneurship and connect with a broader innovation ecosystem. Daniel now works to demonstrate the value of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking for science faculty and students, particularly as a means to create a positive societal and/or environmental impact.

Entrepreneurship hack-a-thon

Tuesday, Jun. 4
2 – 5 PM
Location: Meeting Room 5

Think entrepreneurship might be for you? Let’s test that hypothesis! Join experts from UM for an exciting hack-a-thon to build your entrepreneurial skills through experience. In small groups, you’ll be equipped to solve a real-world problem, pitch your solution, network with others, and compete for the coveted Chemistry Cup!

*No preparation necessary!

Hack-a-thon Outline:

  • Meet your small working group
  • Receive training in entrepreneurial competencies
  • Apply training to industry-provided challenge with help from mentors
  • Pitch your best solution in less than 2 minutes with no visual aids   
  • Receive advice and supports on how to continue on an entrepreneurial journey 

Facilitators: 

Christa Kruck, Business Development Officer, Faculty of Science
Daniel Heschuk, Program Development Specialist, Science Innovation Hub
Rajeev Koyal, Program Manager, IDEA Start!
Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist, Entrepreneurship, The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

Professional headshot photobooth


Tuesday, Jun. 4
9:20 AM -7:20 PM CT

Location: Hall C


The professional headshot booth is back by popular demand. Our attendees want up-to-date executive headshots to help them shine in the online world!

Sponsored by:

DuPont logo

How to get the most out of your FTIR spectrometer


Tuesday, Jun. 4
9:40 -11:20 AM CT

Location: Pan AM Room


Presenter:
Sergey Shilov PhD, Bruker Optics, USA

In this educational presentation you will learn how to:

  • Optimize FTIR spectrometer settings (spectral resolution, acquisition speed, apodization function, etc.) to get the best results
  • Expand the capabilities of your spectrometer
  • Identify chemical compositions, monitor chemical reactions

Examples of applications will include spectroelectrochemistry, polymer science, and surface analysis.

Meet and greet – Industry x early career talent

Speed networking

Tuesday, Jun. 4
7:30 – 9 PM CT

Location: Meeting Room 5

Mingle with DuPont, and other industry representatives at this speed networking event. Catalyze your career transition by practicing your flash introductions and making new valuable connections with CSC 2024 delegates! One drink ticket per person, space is limited. Apply for your position today.

Also part of Empower the Next Generation of Leaders.

Sponsored by:

DuPont logo

Wednesday, Jun. 5

Culture of Lab Safety Panel Discussion

Title: Explosions, Burns and Lacerations: Only Incidents in the Building

Wednesday, Jun. 5
9:40 – 11:20 AM CT
Location: Meeting Room 5

Attention Chemists:

Channel your inner detective and help us investigate a series of cases, curated from real life examples of safety incidents in both academic and industrial settings. This interactive session will focus on best practices for root cause analysis and the implementation of corrective actions. We hope everyone comes away with a deeper understanding of how incidents can occur, what to do when one happens, and, most critically, what can be done to prevent incidents in the first place.

Sponsored by:

Brenntag

Industry tour: National Research Council (NRC), advanced manufacturing research facility

Wednesday, Jun. 5
12:30 – 4 PM CT
Location: Off-site

Don’t miss out on your chance to get a sneak peek of a federal research lab. This is a prime opportunity for early career professionals eager to work in the government sector. Register to visit the NRC. Spots are very limited.

Itinerary:

12:30 PM CT: Meet at the Southeast Concourse, First Floor, North Building, RBC Convention Centre
(Note: The bus will not wait to accommodate those who are late)

4 PM CT: Estimated return to RBC Convention Centre

Company description: Our Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility at Winnipeg researches Multilayer Polymer Films for Sustainable Food Packaging and evaluates materials biodegradation, Metal 3D Printing, Polymer/Composite 3D Printing, and Process Digitalization Technologies

NSERC Discovery Grant Session

Wednesday, Jun. 5
12:30 – 1:30 PM CT
Location: Meeting Room 3

This session will provide an overview of the results of the Discovery Grant 2024 competition as well as news from NSERC.

Facilitator: Rachel Klassen

Rachel Klassen is the Lead Program Officer for the Chemistry Evaluation Group of the Discovery Grants program at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). She has been working at NSERC for 2 years, bringing prior program experience from interdisciplinary Tri-Agency programs as well as the Canadian and international research communities.

An Open Discussion with ACS Publications Editors, presented by ACS on Campus

Wednesday, Jun. 5
1 – 2 PM CT
Location: Meeting Room 2

Join us for an interactive discussion with Editors from several ACS journals, including ACS Catalysis, ACS Sensors, ACS Applied Polymer Materials, Biomacromolecules, and ACS Applied Nano Materials. Enjoy coffee and pastries, meet ACS Editors, and glean publishing and professional development insights.