Kelley Parato, R&D Director, Bioprocess Engineering
Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada

Dr. Kelley Parato obtained her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from University of Ottawa in 2003 followed by post-doctoral training at the Ottawa Hospital Research Centre in the Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, where she researched how oncolytic viruses and the immune system work together to fight cancer. She has more than 15 years of experience in the development, management and evaluation of fundamental discovery and applied translational research programs in the academic, non-for profit and biotech sectors. She joined the National Research Council in 2019 to lead the Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge Program, before becoming the Director of R&D in Bioprocess Engineering at the Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre. In this current role, Kelley is passionate to foster multi-sectorial research collaborations to support the translation of scientific health research into innovative medicines, using delivery models that promote access, and via advancing biomanufacturing innovation to drive cost-effective product development, and ultimately bring benefit to Canadians.

Rob Henderson, President and CEO, BioTalent Canada

Rob led the organization’s growth into a national leader in bioscience talent development. With over 30 years of executive experience, Rob has helped connect thousands of Canadians to careers, championed workplace diversity, and advised governments on HR strategy. He’s a bilingual Quebec native, a biology graduate, and a passionate advocate for inclusion and the life sciences.

Ana McGovern, Executive Recruiter, McGovern Management Group Inc.

Ana McGovern is an accomplished Executive Recruiter and Career Coach specializing in the life sciences industry. Based in the Greater Toronto Area, Ana brings over 20 years of experience recruiting top talent across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices, with a strong emphasis on medical affairs, clinical, and regulatory roles. In recent years, she has also built deep partnerships with CDMOs in biomanufacturing—successfully placing candidates at every level, from cleanroom technicians to senior executives, including CFOs.

As a Career Coach, Ana works closely with postgraduate life science programs and biomanufacturing upskilling initiatives to help students and professionals refine their résumés, enhance their LinkedIn profiles, and excel in job searches and interviews. She has guided hundreds of emerging life science professionals and is passionate about equipping the next generation with the tools and confidence they need to launch successful careers in the industry.

Cynthia Elias, PhD, Senior Principal Scientist, Sanofi

Cynthia Elias, PhD is a Senior Principal Scientist at Sanofi and Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto. With over 25 years of experience in animal cell culture and bioprocess development, she has held leadership roles in vaccine manufacturing at Sanofi, Toronto, the NRC, Montreal and in a Cell and Gene Therapy CDMO, CCRM, Toronto. Dr. Elias also worked several years in academic research at the NRC, Montreal, leading scientific teams engaged in developing innovative technologies for animal cell culture processes; and holds dual Master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the University of Pune, India, along with postdoctoral training in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA. Dr. Elias is committed to fostering collaboration between industry and academia through education and research and has authored several publications in reputed peer-reviewed journals.

Logan Germain, PhD Candidate, Queen’s University, BioHubNet Trainee

Logan Germain is a 3rd-year PhD Candidate at Queen’s University in the Drug Development & Human Toxicology program. She conducts research on identifying early molecular markers of disease risk following exposure to environmental pollutants in an embryonic cell model. She is particularly interested in how economics and policy shape health and disease, both through a pharmaceutical and environmental protection lens. 

Neil Blackburn, PhD, Senior Director, Process and Analytical Development, OmniaBio Inc.

Neil earned his PhD from the University of Guelph and focused on protein biochemistry and immunology. His post-doctoral training at Eli Lilly and Company focused on dendritic cell tolerization and the interaction of immune cells with novel TLR ligands.  Neil next led the development and commercialization of immunochemical-based clinical assays and companion medical devices (Siemens Healthineers) before spending 14 years at Sanofi, in their vaccines division. Holding roles of increasing responsibility at Sanofi, Neil was ultimately accountable to lead transversal CMC teams tasked with ensuring the successful transfer of candidates from early development into late-stage pilot and final launch commercial facilities. He has experience developing tech transfer and PPQ strategies that take full advantage of the QbD design space established in earlier phases of CMC development. Prior to joining OmniaBio, his most recent role was in the small biotech CGT space focused on the development of two complementary assets targeting solid tumours (TILs and oncolytic viruses).

David Sealey, PhD, Director, Regulatory Affairs (Oncology), AstraZeneca Canada

David Sealey, PhD, is Director, Regulatory Affairs (Oncology) at AstraZeneca Canada where he leads a team to grow the product portfolio. Previously, he held roles in Regulatory and Medical Affairs at Johnson & Johnson. David has guided drug development programs at various stages including basic and translational research, early clinical development (IND), application for marketing authorization (NDS/SNDS), post-approval lifecycle management, and observational research (real-world evidence). He has covered multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, cardiovascular/metabolism, neuroscience and rare disease. David trained at the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research. He holds a Ph.D. (Medical Biophysics) and Hon.B.Sc. (Pharmacology) from the University of Toronto. David is a Mentor at the Health Innovation Hub (H2i), and previously served as Adjunct Professor, Graduate Professional Development (Molecular Genetics), and Mentor (University College), at the University of Toronto. David led the Science Career Impact Project, delivering transformational experiences to sciences trainees seeking careers in industry.

Lisa Wise-Milestone, PhD, P.Eng., Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships, Moderna Canada

Lisa leads the execution of the Moderna’s Canadian strategy for pandemic preparedness and domestic biomanufacturing. She is the key interface with government teams collaborating with Moderna on biomanufacturing and pandemic preparedness, driving execution of various commitments, and represents Moderna on the external governance framework established with the government. Previously, she held a multi-faceted role with the commercialization team of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. Prior to that role, she was a Manager at KPMG LLP in the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentives team. Lisa has more than 10 years’ experience in academic research settings, having completed a PhD in bioengineering from the University of Toronto and a postdoctoral fellowship at Sunnybrook Research Institute.

Helen Sarantis, PhD, Associate Director, Analytical & Quality Control, BlueRock Therapeutics

Helen Sarantis received her BSc (Hons; Microbiology) as well as her PhD (Molecular Genetics) from the University of Toronto. After her PhD, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children (Cell Biology). Helen has over 10 years of experience in the biotech industry, and has held positions in QC, QA, and R&D, supporting method and process validation, method transfers, and analytical lifecycle management, as well as safety testing and potency strategy for biologics and cell therapies. She is currently Associate Director, Analytical & Quality Control, at BlueRock Therapeutics. Helen lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters.

Jonathan Labriola, PhD, Director of Operations, Synakis, BioHubNet Trainee

Jonathan obtained his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa and doctoral degree at McGill University, with a focus on biochemistry, neurology, and immunology. He completed post-doctoral training at the Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, first in the lab of Sachdev Sidhu, where he developed skills in protein engineering and therapeutics development to treat degenerative disease, and then in Prof. Molly Shoichet’s lab, where he has focussed on protein biologic formulations to treat retinal diseases. Currently, he is a Research Associate in Molly Shoichet’s lab and Director of Operations for Synakis, an early-stage biotechnology company that is developing medical devices and formulations to treat ocular disease.

Nana Hyung-Ran Lee, PhD, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Director of Graduate Professional Development, Department of Biochemistry, Special Advisor to the Dean, Graduate Education, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Ketheisan Vigneshwaran, BMath, BEd, Career Educator, Career Exploration & Education, Student Life, University of Toronto