Mini-Networking Night 2: Medical Writing, Policy, and Regulatory Affairs
Dec.
7

Mini-Networking Night 2: Medical Writing, Policy, and Regulatory Affairs

Join us at our second Mini-Networking Night of the year to network and meet professional guests in Medical Writing, Policy, and Regulatory Affairs. It will feature professionals from Klick Health, Joy Medical, Nutrasource, and Health Canada!

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, December 7th, 2023
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST
Location: Zoom

Event Agenda:

1) Opening Remarks

2) Professional Guests Introduction (15 minutes)

3) Open Q&A (5 minutes)

4) Structured Networking Sessions (4x | 15 minutes/session)

5) Open Networking (30 minutes)

6) Closing Remarks

This event was brought to you by ACTO, the #1 Learning Platform in Life Sciences.

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Mini-Networking Night 1: Pharma, Biotech and R&D
Oct.
25

Mini-Networking Night 1: Pharma, Biotech and R&D

Join us at our first Mini-Networking Night of the year to network and meet professional guests in Pharma, Biotech and R&D. It will feature professionals from ProteinQure, adMare BioInnovations, Deep Genomics Inc., FSD Pharma, BlueRock Therapeutics, and BenchSci.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at networking@lscds.org.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, October 25th, 2023
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST
Location: 144 College St, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, Room 850
Cost: $5, light refreshments will be provided
Register with the button below by Monday, October 23 at 11:59 PM

Event Agenda:

1) Opening Remarks

2) Professional Guests Introduction (15 minutes)

3) Open Q&A (5 minutes)

4) Structured Networking Sessions (4x | 15 minutes/session)

Trainees are assigned to specific tables. Professional guests will rotate, such that trainees will have an opportunity to network with all our professional attendees.

5) Open Networking (30 minutes)

Trainees are given the opportunity to interact with any of the professional guests they please.

6) Closing Remarks

Note that spots are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will prioritize registrants currently enrolled in a graduate degree (MSc, PhD, other professional degrees) or postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto. If you are accepted and do not inform the team you will no longer be attending, you may not be accepted to attend future mini-networking events.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at networking@lscds.org.

This event was brought to you by ACTO, the #1 Learning Platform in Life Sciences.

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Career Seminar: Careers in Science
Oct.
19

Career Seminar: Careers in Science

Are you wondering what you can do with your graduate degree and the skills you have gained during your studies in life sciences? Join us for an interactive session where you can explore potential career paths. We will share programs to help you discover your career options, provide resources to show what others with similar backgrounds have done, and have a detailed discussion about networking, coffee chats, and informational interviews as ways to learn more about potential careers.

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Career Seminar Series
May
17

Career Seminar Series

Interested in a Medical Writing career?

Come and discuss the career possibilities with our panelists:

  • Dr. Tyler Saumur, Medical Writer at Everest Clinical Research

  • Sahana Selladurai, Director of Medical Strategy at TANK Worldwide

  • Dr. Faraj Haddad, Assistant Professor at Western University

  • Dr. Jessie Filer, Freelance Medical Writer at Aletheia Medical Communications

Guest Bio

Dr. Tyler Saumur, Medical Writer at Everest Clinical Research

Tyler completed his MSc and PhD from the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI) at U of T in 2017 and 2021. His research focused on neurophysiological biomarkers of motor preparation and understanding how muscle function impacts our ability to regain stability after a loss of balance. In September 2021, Tyler transitioned into a role as a Medical Writer at Everest Clinical Research, where he spearheads and collaborates on various writing projects such as clinical study protocols and reports, patient narratives, and manuscripts. Tyler also takes on a supervisory role, mentoring 5 of his team members.

Sahana Selladurai, Director of Medical Strategy at TANK Worldwide

I have been working in the pharmaceutical marketing and communications field for over seven years, starting right after completing my M.Sc. in chemistry. Beginning as a medical writer, I rapidly acquired knowledge about the industry's intricacies and the role's expectations. After a few years of experience in medical writing, I decided to pursue a medical strategy position, allowing me to contribute to shaping and informing marketing and communications campaigns from the outset, rather than solely focusing on their execution.

Dr. Faraj Haddad, Assistant Professor at Western University

Dr. Faraj Haddad is an Assistant Professor at Western University and a contract Medical Communications Writer for sixsense strategy group. Dr. Haddad completed his Bachelor of Medical Mcience in 2016 and then his PhD in neuroscience in 2021, both at Western University. He then took on a 1-year teaching postdoc position, and at the same time, joined sixsense strategy group as a contract medical writer. Currently, he remains in his contract position but his primary job is as an Assistant Professor in the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences program at Western's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Dr. Jessie Filer, Freelance Medical Writer at Aletheia Medical Communications

Jessie Filer, PhD is a freelance medical writer and owner of Aletheia Medical Communications. She holds fast to truth and accuracy woven into memorable stories as the best way to advance medicine and help patients. With more than 4 years of medical writing experience, she specializes in training and education materials for diverse audiences. Jessie has written over 45 training assets spanning 19 therapeutic areas and has assisted with writing or editing on dozens of others. Learn more about her company at https://aletheiamedcomms.com/.

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Career Seminar Series: Policy and Clinical Research Careers
Apr.
18

Career Seminar Series: Policy and Clinical Research Careers

In this career seminar, we will feature Dr. Uzma Urooj and Aida Habib. Join us if you want to learn about Policy and Clinical Research and how to transition into these fields!

This event was brought to you by BioRender and the Office of Research Trainees.

Guest Speakers

Dr. Uzma Urooj, Senior Policy Advisor - Science Programs and Partnerships , Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Government of Canada

Uzma has a Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroimaging from the University of York, UK, and BSc Honors in Neuroscience and Linguistics from the University of Toronto, Canada. With experiences in research management, technology transfer, and strategy development/implementation, Uzma is currently working as the Senior Policy Advisor at Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) at the Government of Canada. Previously, Uzma has worked at the Canadian federal granting agencies (CIHR and NSERC) where she developed and implemented research funding programs, strategies and policies to support research training in Canada. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked at the forefront of mobilizing health research and developing preparedness, response, and recovery strategies for future health emergencies. Uzma is intimately involved at the interface of science and policy and is an active member of the Canadian Science Policy Community through several grass-root science policy platforms such as Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) and International Network for Government Science (INGSA). Passionate about raising the bar for research excellence and the development of the next generation of Canadian researchers, Uzma regularly participates in mentoring and career development events to impart whatever she has learned to those coming behind her. She is currently serving on the CSPC’s strategic advisory committee and chairs the ISED Professional Network. Previously, she chaired the CSPC Program Committee and CSPC Evaluation Committee, and coordinated international symposiums on science diplomacy.

Aida Habib, Clinical Operations Lead,

Roche

Originally from Syria. Moved to Canada in 2018. Have a bachelor of Pharmacy and a masters degree in Biotechnology from UTM. Have been working in clinical trial management for 3 years and did Pharma sales prior to that for a year.

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Mini-Networking Night 3
Apr.
13

Mini-Networking Night 3

Our final Mini-Networking Night of the year will provide graduate trainees and postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to meet professional guests in Medical Affairs. It will feature professionals from GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Abbott, and Bayer. This event will be In person: 144 college street Toronto M5S 3M2 Leslie Dan faculty of pharmacy Room 850


Note that spots are limited to maintain a guest-to-trainee ratio of 1:5-8 and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will prioritize registrants currently enrolled in a graduate degree (MSc, PhD, other professional degrees) or postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto. If you are accepted and do not inform the team you will no longer be attending, you may not be accepted to attend future mini-networking events.


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at networking@lscds.org.

Event Agenda:
1) Opening Remarks
2) Open Networking
Trainees are given the opportunity to interact with any of the professional guests they please.
Food and drinks will be provided during this session.
3) Structured Networking Sessions (3x | 25 minutes/session)
Trainees are assigned to specific tables and will rotate, such that trainees will have an opportunity to network with 3 different professionals.
4) Closing Remarks

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 11 at 11:59 PM

This event was brought to you by the Master of Management and Professional Accounting (MMPA) and CAMH.

Guest Speakers

Dr. Heather VanSeggelen - Senior Global Medical Affairs Manager, GSK

Dr. Michelle Dubinsky - Medical Science Liason, Boehringer Ingelheim

Angelica Giansante - Primary Care and Medical Operations Associate, Bayer

Dr. Robert Ungard - Medical Science Liason, GSK

Dr. Shadi Zarei - Freelance Medical Writer, Joy Medical

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LSCE Information Night
Apr.
5

LSCE Information Night

The Life Sciences Career Development Syndicate (LSCDS), Career Exploration and Education, and the University of Toronto (UofT) are excited to announce that the Life Sciences Career Expo 2023: Expanding Your Possibilities is open for registration! This multi-day event will be offered virtually on May 1st and May 3rd and in-person on May 4th in Toronto. To view our past programming and professional guests, please visit our archive.

This event aims to bring together life sciences trainees across Canada with educators, researchers, industry partners, and government stakeholders that have a common interest in educating and preparing the next generation for diverse careers. The expo will feature a variety of sessions aimed at educational and professional development, including keynote and career panel discussions, company spotlight presentations, professional development workshops, practice interviews, company booths, and more! Please refer to our information package here.

Info Night:

Trainees interested in learning more about LSCE 2023 are encouraged to attend our upcoming Information Night on Apr 5, 2023 at 5:00PM EST. The organizing team and faculty will overview Expo structure, session types and attending companies followed by a Q&A period.

Ticket Prices:

Use the promo code “EARLYBIRD” to redeem 50% off the ticket prices listed below

Virtual - May 1st & 3rd: $20 (students), $30 (staff, postdoctoral fellows, recent graduates)

In-person - May 4th: $30 (all attendees)

For inquiries about the event, please visit our current website or contact us at lsce@lscds.org. We hope to see you at the conference!

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ITCS Industry Seminar 2 - Marketing & Sales and Market Access
Feb.
15

ITCS Industry Seminar 2 - Marketing & Sales and Market Access

The ITCS Program is hosting the second of its lectures on careers in the pharmaceutical industry. Join us on February 15th, 2023 from 6 PM - 8 PM for a series of lectures on Marketing & Sales and Market Access. This event is open to ALL members of the LSCDS community, but it is mandatory for ITCS Trainees to attend the seminar pertaining to their assigned sector.

The Industry Seminar is brought to you by Klick Health, The Office of Research Trainees (ORT) at UHN and bioRender.

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ITCS Industry Seminar 1 - Medical & Regulatory Affairs
Feb.
9

ITCS Industry Seminar 1 - Medical & Regulatory Affairs

The ITCS Program is hosting the first of its lectures on careers in the pharmaceutical industry. Join us on February 9th, 2023 from 6 PM - 8 PM for a series of lectures on Medical and Regulatory Affairs. This event is open to ALL members of the LSCDS community, but it is mandatory for ITCS Trainees to attend the seminar pertaining to their assigned sector.

The Industry Seminar is brought to you by Klick Health, The Office of Research Trainees (ORT) at UHN and bioRender.

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Networking Reception
Feb.
8

Networking Reception

Excited to connect with leading industry professionals over food and drinks? Join us at the LSCDS Networking Reception! This is a great opportunity to meet professionals from the following sectors:

  • Medical Affairs

  • Regulatory Affairs

  • Consulting

  • Value & Evidence Division, Marketing & Market Access

  • R&D/Clinical Research

  • Venture Capital/Entrepreneurship

  • Medical writer/editor

  • Data Science

  • Policy

Event details:

  • Date/Time: Feb 8th, 5:30-8pm

  • Location: Hart House (Great Hall)

  • Fee: $10

Agenda:
5:30-5:40 - Opening Remarks

5:40-6:10 - Structured Session One

6:15-6:45 - Open Networking (Food and Drinks!)

6:50-7:15 - Structured Session Two

7:20-7:45 - Open Networking

7:50-8:00 - Closing remarks

The LSCDS Networking Receptions is brought to you by the Master of Management & Professional Accounting and The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. This event was organized by the LSCDS Networking team: Celene Titus, Jon Lacanlale, Sarah Cash, and Céline Cuinat Cuinat!

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Interview Workshop
Jan.
18

Interview Workshop

NOTE: The workshop date has been changed to Jan 18.

Join us to learn how to strengthen your interview strategy! In this session, we will be covering:

  • Interview Basics

  • Formats, Preparation, Question Types, and STAR(R) method

  • Strategies to prepare for interviews for fostering interview readiness

  • Understanding your rights & navigating disclosure

About our Speaker: Hannah Stevenson (she/her), is a Career Educator with Career Exploration & Education. She collaborates with University of Toronto students and recent alumni as they build their future in our changing world. Whether learners are looking for a job, considering further education, or determining what you they can do with their degree – they can meet with a Career Educator for support. Hannah brings an anti-oppression framework to her role and seeks to support students and recent alumni to build a career that honours and integrates their whole, authentic selves.Make it stand out

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Career  Seminar Series: Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital
Dec.
14

Career Seminar Series: Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital

In this career seminar, we will feature Michael Do, Dr. Kenneth Grisé and Livia Guo. Join us if you want to learn about Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital and how to transition into these fields!

This event was brought to you by BioRender and the Office of Research Trainees.

Guest Bio

Michael Do

CTO and Co-Founder, MedEssist

Michael is a pharmacist & software engineer who’s managed an independent community pharmacy for close to 10 years before founding pharmacy technology company, MedEssist. As the CTO & co-founder of MedEssist, Michael combines his pharmacy experience with his programming skills to lead the clinical and engineering teams. MedEssist's mission is to create a more accessible, equitable, and personal health care system through the modernization of local community pharmacies.

Dr. Kenneth Grisé

Venture Capital Investment Associate, Sixty Degree Capital

Ken is an investment associate with the healthcare team at Sixty Degree Capital. He leverages his scientific and market expertise to guide investments into biotechnology and healthcare companies that he believes are developing the most innovative technologies and will have the most profound impacts on the lives of patients. Previously, Ken has worked on: drug discovery for regenerative medicine applications with Endogena Therapeutics, the development of a cell therapy for diabetes with Sernova Corp, and stem cell-based approaches to treat degenerative diseases of the retina and the brain with the Neurobiology Research Group at the Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research at the University of Toronto. Ken is also passionate about scientific outreach and education, and acts as a scientific consultant for the entertainment industry. Ken holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics form the University of Toronto, an M.Sc. in Kinesiology from Western University, and a B.Sc. in Physiology & Psychology from Western University.

Livia Guo

Software Product Manager, Nicoya Lifesciences

After graduating from the Pharmaceutical Sciences Master Program at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, Livia Guo co-founded LSK Technologies - a medical device company with the vision of democratizing access to lab-quality diagnostic tests. Over the span of 3 years, Livia acted as the COO to help design, develop, and commercialize two versions of their low-cost point-of-care product - PLUM and PLUM-HT. The company was later acquired by Nicoya Lifesciences in 2022, where Livia currently works as a software product manager to develop their flagship SPR product - Alto.

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Mini-Networking Night 2
Dec.
6

Mini-Networking Night 2

Our second mini-networking night of the year will provide graduate trainees and postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to meet professional guests in Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship. It will feature professionals from Sixty Degree Capital, Noetic Fund, SyntheX Inc and Amplitude Ventures.

Note that spots are limited to maintain a guest-to-trainee ratio of 1:5-8 and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will prioritize registrants currently enrolled in a graduate degree (MSc, PhD, other professional degrees) or postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto. Your spot in the event is confirmed only when you receive an email by December 2, 2022 containing your breakout room assignment and the Zoom Link. Please ensure you check your junk mail. If you do not receive this information, unfortunately, the event capacity has been reached and we are unable to accommodate any additional participants. Please be considerate when registering for this event. If you are accepted and do not inform the team (networking@lscds.org) you will no longer be attending, you may not be accepted to attend future mini-networking events.

In preparation for the event, you are encouraged to read the guests' bios below to develop tailored questions and facilitate more meaningful conversations.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at networking@lscds.org.

Event Agenda:

1) Opening Remarks and Guest Introductions (5-10 minutes)

2) 3x Structured Networking Sessions (25 minutes/session)

Trainees are assigned to a Zoom breakout room and a professional will rotate into the room for each session, such that trainees will have an opportunity to network with 3 different professionals.

3) Closing Remarks and Open Networking Session (25 minutes)

Trainees are given the opportunity to interact with any of the professional guests they please.

This event was brought to you by the Master of Management and Professional Accounting (MMPA).

Guest Bio

Dr. Maria Soloveychik

Co-founder, CEO, SyntheX Inc.

Dr. Maria Soloveychik is the co-founder and CEO of SyntheX, a therapeutics company working on accelerating drug discovery using synthetic biology with an internal oncology pipeline. SyntheX was founded in 2016 and is based in San Francisco. Maria has obtained her PhD from the department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto, where she discovered novel pathways linking metabolism and epigenetic signaling. Maria was previously a research scientist at a structural genomics consortium, where her work led to the determination of numerous structures and identification of several drug candidates.

Robin Gao

Associate, Sixty Degree Capital

Robin is a Principal at Sixty Degree Capital, investing mainly in Biotech and also general Healthcare innovations. Before joining, Robin worked for biotech and medical device startup operating roles. Previously, he worked for Apotex's research division as well as also performed HIV vaccines and MRI contrast agents research at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Sri Teja Mullapudi

Science Lead, Noetic Fund

With a goal of improving the mental health treatment landscape, Teja is a Principal with Noetic and has helped raise and deploy $60M+ in venture capital in the mental health sector across therapeutics, devices, digital modalities and currently serves in board roles for early-stage companies. Previously, he co-founded & led business development for a stealth neuropsychiatry-focused biotech; and is experienced in early stage investment opportunity analyses across therapeutic areas from TIAP (MaRS Innovation). Teja has a Ph.D. (summa) in biology from the Max Planck Society, and is trained as a Biotechnology engineer from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India.

Dr. Ali Tehrani

Partner, Amplitude VC

Dr. Ali Tehrani has a Ph.D in Microbiology from UBC (2003) and a Masters in Biochemistry form UMass Amherst (1996). He has served as a member of Amplitude’s Board of Advisors since 2020 and is also on the Boards of Nanology Labs and Creatus Biosciences. As a staunch advocate for the development of Canada’s biotech sector he volunteers on the Boards of BIOTECanada and CQDM and mentors at Toronto’s Creative Destruction Lab. He co-founded Zymeworks in 2003 and led the company as President and CEO from inception to clinical validation, through an IPO, and to a peak $1.9B valuation. He stepped down as President and CEO at Zymeworks in January 2022 and joined Amplitude Ventures as Partner in February 2022.

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ITCS Information Night
Nov.
30

ITCS Information Night

The Industry Team Case Study (ITCS) is a program designed for trainees to develop professional connections and gain practical, marketable experience relevant to roles within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors . Over the course of 5 months, invited trainees will work in teams to conceptualize, develop, and deliver an industry-related project under the direct mentorship of an industry advisor.

Who its for:

University of Toronto graduate students

What to get out of it:

Develop industry-relevant and marketable skills, improve soft skills including team work and leadership, network with industry advisors, explore career paths in life sciences, create a portfolio-worthy project deliverable

Program Logistics:

  • Information Night: Wednesday November 30th, 2022 (Zoom)

  • Launch Event: Monday January 23rd, 2023 (In-person tentatively)

  • Industry Sector Seminars: Thursday February 9th, 2023 & Wednesday February 15th, 2023 (Zoom)

  • Engagement Meetings:

    • Wednesday March 1st, 2023 (Zoom)

    • Wednesday March 29th, 2023 (Zoom)

    • Wednesday April 26th, 2023 (Zoom)

  • Showcase: Monday May 15th, 2023 (In-person tentatively)

Interested in learning more about ITCS for this year? Register below for our Information Night!

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Mentorship Information Night
Nov.
23

Mentorship Information Night

The mentorship program is a six-month engagement, where graduate students and post-docs are paired one-on-one with industry professionals to learn more about their career of interest, and how they transitioned from graduate school to industry.

Format: Virtual (via Zoom). The event link will be emailed to registered attendees on the day of the event.

To participate: Register to attend the Information Night to learn more about the mentorship program, key dates, and application process. The session will also include perspectives from previous mentors/mentees, and how this program aided their transition into the industry.

Please note:
This program is available to UofT Trainees only.

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Online Presence Workshop
Nov.
10

Online Presence Workshop

Join us to discuss components of developing a professional identity (your research, your expertise, etc.) that you would like to represent online. We will discuss the different online platforms (websites, blogs, social media) that will help you connect with your audience.

In this workshop, you will learn how to…

  • Describe your professional identity

  • Identify different and preferred mediums to communicate your professional identity

  • Create a plan to communicate your professional identity online

  • Connect with academics and/or professionals online

This event was brought to you by BioRender.

About our Speaker: Hannah Stevenson (she/her), is a Career Educator with Career Exploration & Education. She collaborates with University of Toronto students and recent alumni as they build their future in our changing world. Whether learners are looking for a job, considering further education, or determining what you they can do with their degree – they can meet with a Career Educator for support. Hannah brings an anti-oppression framework to her role and seeks to support students and recent alumni to build a career that honours and integrates their whole, authentic selves.

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Career Seminar Series: Pharma and R&D
Oct.
19

Career Seminar Series: Pharma and R&D

The LSCDS is excited to invite you to our upcoming Career Seminar! We present to you careers in Pharma and Research & Development (R&D), featuring Katrina Innanen, Dr. Elissa Currie and Dr. Mohammad Ebrahimzadeh. Join us if you want to learn about Pharma and R&D and how to transition into these fields!

This event was brought to you by BioRender.


Guest Bios

Katrina Innanen

R&D Clinical Specialist, Myant Inc

Katrina is a University of Toronto MHSc in Medical Physiology graduate. She is currently a Clinical Specialist currently working at Myant inc, a company that creates medical-grade smart clothing. Katrina is a competitive track and field athlete and photography enthusiast.

Dr. Elissa Currie

Data Extraction Scientist, Benchsci

After completing her PhD in the Department of Molecular Genetics at UofT, Elissa became a postdoctoral fellow for 10 months before leaving to join BenchSci as a Data Extraction Scientist. At BenchSci, Elissa is able to utilize her expertise from graduate school while also becoming a subject matter expert in numerous exciting areas of research and development. She works on a dynamic, fast-paced team with an amazing group of people.

Dr. Mohammad Ebrahimzadeh

Scientist, Lucid Psycheceuticals Inc.

Dr. Mohammad Ebrahimzadeh is a scientist with expertise in neuropharmacology, neurology, and mental health at Lucid Psycheceuticals Inc. (a subsidiary of FSD Pharma). FSD Pharma (NASDAQ, CSE, and FRA) is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel drugs for inflammatory, neurogenerative and mental health disorders. He has been a project manager and a contributor to multiple preclinical R&D and clinical drug development projects (FDA and Health Canada). Mohammad has worked for and collaborated with different multinational biopharmaceutical companies and academic institutions including Lundbeck, Allergan, Gedeon Richter, Penn State University, the Ontario Brain Institute, and Parkinson’s Canada. He holds an MSc in medical physiology and a PhD in neuroscience from the Royal Mental Health Centre in Ottawa. Mohammad has been an advocate for Patient- and family-centered care and has been a board member on two advisory committees in the Royal Mental Health Centre. He loves canoe camping, biking, hiking, and movies made by the Coen brothers, and the Wachowskis.


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