The ‘Beyond Books’ Panel Discussion brings together an impressive line-up of alumni panelists who have all applied their biology degrees in various entrepreneurial ventures. These range from research, teaching, and applied science. Bringing together graduate and undergraduate students, alumni, postdoc fellows and professors in biology, the event promotes the recently established Biology Undergraduate-Graduate Student Mentorship Initiative, now also partnering graduate students with alumni mentors.
Program: Beyond Books Alumni Panel Discussion
Organizing Committee
Chair: Arun Dayanandan, Vice-President Internal Affairs, Biology Student Association
Members:
Carol Zastavniouk, President, Biology Graduate Student Association
Alexandra Baird, President, Biology Student Association
Jamie Allan, Vice-President Academic Affairs, Biology Student Association
Event Coordinator: Marian Pinksy
Photographer: Franco Alo Photography
Videographer: Ryan Gelinas
Opening Remarks
MC: Aphrodite Salas, CTV News Montreal
Dr. Kim Sawchuk, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies (Concordia University Faculty of Arts and Science)
Dr. Amir Aghdam, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Postdoctoral Studies (Concordia University School of Graduate Studies)
Dr. Patrick Gulick, Chair (Concordia University Biology Department)
Dr. Selvadurai Dayanandan, Graduate Program Director (Concordia University Biology Department)
Panelists:
Dr. Sherin Al-Safadi (Keynote)
Dr. Sherin Al-Safadi completed a B.Sc in Anatomy and Cell Biology, an M.Sc in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, an MBA and a PhD in Biology, with a focus in the field of Neurobiology. As a Medical Science Liaison at Bayer, Sherin’s career interests lie in creating value-driven innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, by bridging the gap between R&D and commercialization. A sports enthusiast and dedicated philanthropist, Sherin has strong aspirations for a better world.
Dr. Mona Hamzeh
Senior Advisor, Strategic and Institutional Research Initiatives, Concordia University
Dr. Tonia De Bellis
Professor, Biology Department, Dawson College
Ms. Caroline Bilhete
Alumni, Biology, Concordia University
Mrs. Sandra Chiovitti
Quality Assurance Manager, InSymbiosis
Dr. Lauren Segall
Research Facilitator, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University
Mr. Robert Carson,
Departmental Teaching and Instrumentation Laboratory Technician, Biology Department, Concordia University
Beyond Books 