KGI and Amgen Join Forces for SLAS Networking Event
Keck Graduate Institute and Amgen are partnering to offer students face-to-face networking and valuable tips from front-line professionals at a special Feb. 4 event held during the inaugural meeting of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) in San Diego.
"SLAS Quenches Graduate Students' Thirst for Knowledge" is a mixer for 100 KGI, University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University graduate students and post-docs, held at Thomas Jefferson School of Law on Feb. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students will gain real-world insight on how to launch and build successful careers in laboratory science and automation from three industry-leading scientists in Southern California, followed by a wine and cheese networking reception.
Daniel Sipes, co-chair of the SLAS2012 Scientific Program Committee and director of advanced automation technologies at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, will present "From Lab to Leader: Love Your Job and Never Work a Day in Your Life." Craig Schulz, who manages the research and automation technologies group at all Amgen research sites, will deliver "I Have My Degree, Now What? Using Networking, Collaboration and Seeking Opportunities to Start and Advance Your Career."
Louis Shamel (MBS '09), a mergers and acquisitions associate at Life Technologies, will discuss "The Value of Cross-Functionality in the Life Sciences Industry." James D. Sterling, KGI's vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event.
"KGI is particularly pleased with this partnership because Amgen employs more KGI graduates than any other company and has been involved in a multitude of activities at KGI over the years," said Sterling.
The larger SLAS2012 conference, from Feb. 4 to Feb. 8, represents the first combined annual conference and exhibition to be held after the Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA) and the Society for Biomolecular Sciences (SBS) merged in 2010. SLAS, http://www.slas.org, is an international community of more than 15,000 individual scientists, engineers, researchers, technologists and others from academic, government and commercial laboratories. The organization's mission is to provide a forum for education and information exchange, improving the practice of laboratory science and technology.
About 5,000 people are expected to attend the conference, which will feature more than 300 posters, 275 exhibitors, 130 scientific presentations, 20 short courses and 15 SLAS special interest group meetings.
"The conference emphasizes new scientific approaches to laboratory research while the trade show is an invigorating marketplace of products ranging from the smallest components to large integrated laboratory instruments," said Sterling.
SLAS2012 combines activities for working professionals and the next generation of scientifically sophisticated and managerially savvy leaders. Students will have access to career coaching sessions, resume and cover letter writing workshops and refresher courses on networking and interviewing skills.
More than 60 KGI students will participate in SLAS2012. For many, it will be their first time attending a large professional conference and trade show, Sterling noted, helping them focus their planned course of study and identify corporate internship opportunities.
By Margie Fishman