BioConnect 2011 is the 2nd Annual McGill Inter-Disciplinary Biotechnology Symposium.

It is themed “bridging the gap between the industry and academia,” and it is designed specifically to maximize the networking opportunities of participants. The symposium is run entirely by the graduate students of biotechnology from the McGill Applied Master’s of Science program. The success of the inaugural BioConnect symposium that strived to “connect the dots” of biotechnology will be a building stone for this year’s endeavor, which will include speeches, followed by an informal get-together with wine and cheese, company presentations, and posters displaying academic and industry research by the MScA Biotechnology students in 2011. Thus, we are hoping that BioConnect 2011 will provide a unique interaction opportunity for professionals and graduate students alike, encompassing all areas of biotechnology, regulatory, and finance sectors from private companies, government and university laboratories.

Our Vision
In this annual event run entirely by graduate students, we strive to construct a networking platform with professionals from biotechnology and various supporting fields (regulatory, financial, information technology sectors) to bolster dissemination of knowledge, to promote awareness of local and international challenges in biotechnology, and to facilitate discussion on addressing them in a sustainable manner.

Our Mission
BioConnect challenges biotechnology graduate students to think outside “the lab” and consider the ramifications of their research in a broader societal context. Through a sustainable focus on the vibrant local biotechnology communities, and with an international perspective, we invite academic and industry leaders in research and business, as well as students, to contribute their expertise and enthusiasm to a discussion on the present state of affairs in biotechnology. All the while, our long-term goal is to forge lasting partnerships with to the biotechnology community throughout Canada, and beyond.