2026 Annual Symposium & Training Week

The Future Workforce: Skills, Leadership, and Innovation in a changing world.

Registration closed

Date and timeThu, Oct 298:15 AM–6:00 PM ET
VenueChelsea Hotel Toronto · 2nd Floor, Mountbatten Salon
Capacity reached

Talent, technology, and the people moving life sciences forward.

250+Participants expected across HQP, academia, industry, training, startup, and innovation communities.
20+Exhibitor and conversation spaces are being planned to support active networking.
3Impactful panel discussions.

BioHubNet’s Annual Symposium brings Canada’s biomanufacturing and life sciences community together to connect emerging talent, training partners, innovators, industry, academia and funders for a day of cross-sectoral conversations and connections.

8:15 - 9:10

Breakfast and Registration

9:10 - 9:15

Welcome Remarks

Molly Shoichet

9:15 - 9:30

Program Impact: Year at a Glance & Looking Ahead

Yoo Jin Park

9:30 - 10:15

Keynote: Biomanufacturing & Canada: Where we are, When we need to go, and How You Are Going To Take Us There

Christopher Procyshyn

10:15 - 10:20

ENGAGE Program Highlights

10:20 - 10:55

Morning Break

10:55 - 11:00

EXPERIENCE Program Highlights

11:00 - 11:45

Panel 1: AI in the Workplace – Emerging Skills and Workforce Transformation

Molly ShoichetMorgan CrammAlice FengDimitrije JankovicMona Abu Nameh

11:45 - 11:50

EQUIP Program Highlights

11:50 - 12:30

EQUIP VentureLift Showcase

12:30 - 1:30

Lunch & Networking

1:30 - 2:15

Panel 2: Expanding Career Horizons – Discovering Hidden Career Opportunities

Darius RackusSven AnsorgeAngela DavoudJasmine Hamilton

2:15 - 3:00

Panel 3: Building Biomanufacturing Capacity in Canada

Gilbert WalkerYannick DupeGeoff EvansSamantha McWhirterChristopher Procyshyn

3:00 - 3:30

Afternoon Break

4:45 - 4:50

Closing Remarks

4:50 - 6:00

Networking Reception

Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Biomanufacturing & Canada: Where we are, When we need to go, and How You Are Going To Take Us There

Christopher Procyshyn

Technology executive and life sciences leaderFormer CEO of Vanrx Pharmasystems

Panel 1: AI in the Workplace – Emerging Skills and Workforce Transformation

How AI is reshaping roles, workflows, and the skills needed across the life sciences workforce

Morgan Cramm

Senior Director OperationsOmniaBio

Dimitrije Jankovic

Global Head of Digital Strategy and OperationsSanofi

Mona Abu Nameh

CMC Regulatory Affairs Manager | Generative AI & Agents Change Management LeadAstraZeneca Canada

Panel 2: Expanding Career Horizons – Discovering Hidden Career Opportunities

Exploring non-traditional career paths and opportunities across the broader life sciences ecosystem

Darius Rackus

Moderator · Associate Professor
BioHubNet Scientific Co-Director
BioHubNet

Sven Ansorge

Director, Technical Training and InnovationCASTL

Angela Davoud

Co-founder & CGOPeakR&D

Panel 3: Building Biomanufacturing Capacity in Canada

From innovation to scale: what it takes to build, operate, and grow globally competitive biomanufacturing in Canada

Gilbert Walker

Moderator · Professor
BioHubNet Scientific Co-Director
BioHubNet

Yannick Dupe

Head of Site Operational Excellence & Smart FactorySanofi

Samantha McWhirter

Co-founder and CEONorthMiRs

Christopher Procyshyn

Technology executive and life sciences leaderFormer CEO of Vanrx Pharmasystems

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Shadan Ashfaie

Enterprise AI Transformation & Applied AI Portfolio Leader | AdvisorAmgen (Consultant)

Enterprise AI transformation

Liz Csaszar

Director, Cell Processing LaboratoryUHN

Biomanufacturing & R&D

Angela Davoud

Co-founder & CGOPeakR&D

Venture funding

Cynthia Elias

Senior Principal ScientistSanofi

Biomanufacturing & R&D

Alex Kamp

Curriculum Development & Partnerships LeadCATTI

Biomanufacturing & R&D

Kathy Lee

Regulatory Affairs Clinical Trials AssociateAstraZeneca Canada

Regulatory affairs

Lynne Liu

Global Regulatory Affairs CMC LeadSanofi

Mona Abu Nameh

CMC Regulatory Affairs Manager | Generative AI & Agents Change Management LeadAstraZeneca Canada

Regulatory affairs

David Sealey

Director, Regulatory Affairs (Oncology)AstraZeneca Canada

Regulatory affairs

Interactive Discussion Session

Darius Rackus

Moderator · Associate Professor
BioHubNet Scientific Co-Director
BioHubNet

Cross-sector collaboration to build talent and innovation

Gilbert Walker

Moderator · Professor
BioHubNet Scientific Co-Director
BioHubNet

Building Canada's biomanufacturing capacity

Sven Ansorge

Director, Technical Training and InnovationCASTL

Garima Ghale

Associate Director, Programs & Strategic PartnershipsOBIO

Juliana Jy

Senior Program ManagerCCRM/DTBL

AI and the Future of Work in Life Sciences

Angela Shaoxu Li

Digital Product ManagerSanofi

AI and the Future of Work in Life Sciences

Jessica Tate

Vice-President, Vector Platform TechnologyCCRM/DTBL

AI and the Future of Work in Life Sciences

Training Week

October 26–28, 2026

Applied learning, professional development, company tours and networking opportunities

2025 Recap

Last year’s Annual Symposium & Training Week

2025 highlight

Watch last year’s official highlight reel.

2025 symposium report

Annual Symposium & Training Week Report

Review the outcomes and highlights from BioHubNet’s 2025 Annual Symposium and Training Week.

Download report PDF · 237 MB
Christopher Procyshyn

Keynote Speaker

Christopher Procyshyn

Technology executive and life sciences leaderFormer CEO of Vanrx Pharmasystems

Christopher Procyshyn is a Canadian technology executive and life sciences leader based in British Columbia, formerly CEO of Vanrx Pharmasystems, where he advanced automated aseptic technologies for the biopharmaceutical industry. He has contributed to Canada’s national pandemic response as a member of the federal Vaccine Task Force, supporting efforts to strengthen domestic biomanufacturing capacity and innovation. His work is grounded in deep experience across pharmaceutical manufacturing systems, robotics and automation, aseptic processing, and scalable production technologies. Chris has extensive international experience working with global biopharmaceutical companies and partners. His work focuses on bridging scientific innovation, advanced manufacturing, and policy to enhance Canada’s competitiveness in biopharmaceuticals.

Keynote session title: Biopharmaceuticals and Canada: Where we are, When we need to go, and How You Are Going To Take Us There.

Molly Shoichet

Panel 1: AI in the Workplace – Emerging Skills and Workforce Transformation

Molly Shoichet

Moderator · University Professor
BioHubNet Scientific Director
University of Toronto

Molly Shoichet is BioHubNet’s Scientific Director and a University Professor at the University of Toronto, where she holds the Michael E. Charles Chair in Chemical Engineering. Her research combines polymer science, chemistry and biology to develop biomaterials for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and targeted drug delivery. Her team designs hydrogels and other delivery platforms for applications in the brain, spinal cord and retina, and three-dimensional models to support cancer research. Shoichet has co-founded four spin-off companies. Her honours include the Order of Canada and the NSERC Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal.

Morgan Cramm

Panel 1: AI in the Workplace – Emerging Skills and Workforce Transformation

Morgan Cramm

Senior Director OperationsOmniaBio

Morgan Cramm, P.Eng., is Senior Director of Operations at OmniaBio, a Canadian cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). He brings 10 years of experience in healthcare engineering and CDMO services, spanning operations, strategic programs, engineering and product development. At OmniaBio, Morgan leads operational activities supporting the company’s cell therapy manufacturing capabilities in Hamilton, Ontario

Alice Feng

Panel 1: AI in the Workplace – Emerging Skills and Workforce Transformation

Alice Feng

Computational Scientist · HQP RepresentativeboutIQ solutions

Alice Feng is a computational scientist at boutIQ solutions, a startup developing media for cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells). She recently completed her master's degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto and works on applying computational methods and machine learning to accelerate media discovery.

Dimitrije Jankovic

Panel 1: AI in the Workplace – Emerging Skills and Workforce Transformation

Dimitrije Jankovic

Global Head of Digital Strategy and OperationsSanofi

Dimitrije Jankovic serves as Global Head of Digital Strategy and Operations at Sanofi, where he leads global digital transformation initiatives encompassing strategy, strategic partnerships, portfolio management, and operations across over $2B CAD in annual spend. In this role, he spearheads AI workflow development and the reimagining of end-to-end Level 1 business processes that are fundamental to the company's operations. As one of the founding members of Sanofi's AI Center of Excellence, Dimitrije played a pivotal role in scaling the Toronto COE from its inception to over 150 team members within three years. The AI COE builds products across the value chain, with publications and patents developed across the value chain from R&D, through manufacturing to commercialization and core data foundational platforms. With a background in biomedical and electrical engineering, Dimitrije brings a unique technical perspective to designing fit-for-purpose, innovative solutions using cutting-edge technology. Prior to joining Sanofi, he led PwC Canada's Data and AI Transformation practice, where he developed comprehensive strategies and solutions for clients across financial services, telecommunications, transportation, and various public sector organizations. Dimitrije's expertise spans digital strategy, artificial intelligence, business process optimization, and large-scale organizational transformation, making him a recognized leader in the intersection of technology and business innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.

Mona Abu Nameh

Panel 1: AI in the Workplace – Emerging Skills and Workforce Transformation

Mona Abu Nameh

CMC Regulatory Affairs Manager | Generative AI & Agents Change Management LeadAstraZeneca Canada

Mona Abu Nameh is a CMC Regulatory Affairs Manager at AstraZeneca with more than 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Alongside her regulatory expertise, she advances AI adoption across cross-functional teams in Canada and globally through capability building, change management, and practical AI solution development. Her work spans generative and agentic AI, with a focus on improving efficiency, breaking down barriers to adoption, and enabling new ways of working.

Darius Rackus

Panel 2: Expanding Career Horizons – Discovering Hidden Career Opportunities

Darius Rackus

Moderator · Associate Professor
BioHubNet Scientific Co-Director
BioHubNet

Darius Rackus is a Scientific Co-Director of BioHubNet and an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biology at Toronto Metropolitan University. His research develops miniaturized analytical tools for biology and chemistry, with interests spanning diagnostics, electrochemistry, microfluidics and single-cell analysis. Through the Miniaturization in Bioanalysis Laboratory, he works across chemistry, biology and engineering to make measurements from small samples and individual cells. Rackus earned his PhD at the University of Toronto and previously held a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Sven Ansorge

Panel 2: Expanding Career Horizons – Discovering Hidden Career Opportunities

Sven Ansorge

Director, Technical Training and InnovationCASTL

Sven has more than 15 years of experience in biopharmaceutical R&D and has led research teams in both academic and industrial/GMP manufacturing environments. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from l’École Polytechnique de Montréal and specializes in bioprocessing for the production of viral vectors, vaccines, recombinant proteins, and cell therapy products. Sven has been one of the early adopters of capacitance-based monitoring technology in cell culture and is still considered as one of the thought leaders in this area. He is passionate about the ultimate why of biomanufacturing and enjoys building bridges between academic discovery and industrial application. As Director of Technical Training & Innovation, Sven ensures that trainees receive technical training of the highest quality that is relevant to their roles in the biomanufacturing industry.

Angela Davoud

Panel 2: Expanding Career Horizons – Discovering Hidden Career Opportunities

Angela Davoud

Co-founder & CGOPeakR&D

Angela Davoud is the Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer of PeakR&D, where she helps Canadian businesses navigate the complex landscape of non-dilutive funding. Her work spans a broad range of opportunities, from SR&ED tax credits and government grants to commercialization, business expansion, and larger-scale national and international funding programs.

With two Master’s degrees in Organic Chemistry and extensive experience in commercialization, business development, and sales, Angela brings a unique combination of technical expertise and commercial insight. Her background has given her a strong understanding of both the scientific challenges behind innovation and the business realities of bringing new products, technologies, and solutions to market.

At PeakR&D, Angela works with startups, growing businesses, and established companies across industries, helping them identify funding opportunities that align with their R&D activities, commercialization plans, and long-term growth objectives. She believes that accessing government funding should be more than pursuing individual grants or tax credits; it should be part of a broader strategy that supports innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.

Angela also actively engages with founders, industry leaders, and innovation ecosystem partners, building connections and collaborations that help businesses access the resources, expertise, and opportunities they need to grow.

Jasmine Hamilton

Panel 2: Expanding Career Horizons – Discovering Hidden Career Opportunities

Jasmine Hamilton

Senior AdvisorHealth Emergency Readiness Canada-Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada

Jasmine is a Senior Advisor at Health Emergency Readiness Canada and an experienced mentor and educator. In her current role, she manages a small team and integrates her expertise in research, collaboration, and life sciences to support senior leadership. Previously, Jasmine was a Scientific Associate at the University Health Network, providing critical technical and administrative support to senior leaders—including the Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee—while collaborating with diverse research and clinical experts to achieve multi-institutional goals.

Beyond her professional roles, Jasmine is committed to community service and leadership, as reflected in her role as a mentor for the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario’s Youth Empowerment Program and her previous leadership of the Canadian Hunger Foundation’s Global Education Program in BC, for which she received the Jay Telfer Award.

She holds a Ph.D. in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine from the University of British Columbia, a certificate in Global Health Governance from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, and a BSc. in Biochemistry from Trent University.

Gilbert Walker

Panel 3: Building Biomanufacturing Capacity in Canada

Gilbert Walker

Moderator · Professor
BioHubNet Scientific Co-Director
BioHubNet

Gilbert Walker is a Scientific Co-Director of BioHubNet and a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on surface chemistry, including how synthetic nanomaterials interact with living systems and light. His group also develops scientific instruments to study these interactions, working at the interface of analytical, physical, polymer and materials chemistry.

Yannick Dupe

Panel 3: Building Biomanufacturing Capacity in Canada

Yannick Dupe

Head of Site Operational Excellence & Smart FactorySanofi

Yannick Dupe is Head of Site Operational Excellence & Smart Factory at Sanofi and a member of the Senior Leadership Team of Sanofi Manufacturing & Supply in Toronto. With 15+ years of experience across pharmaceutical and biotech operations, Yannick has led the deployment of Lean, advanced analytics, and AI-powered systems at both drug substance and drug product sites. A Chemical Engineer specialized in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yannick combines scientific rigor with hands-on operational delivery, and brings a practitioner's view on how AI is reshaping manufacturing, building resilient, patient-first operations across North America and Europe.

Geoff Evans

Panel 3: Building Biomanufacturing Capacity in Canada

Geoff Evans

PresidentEurofins CDMO Alphora Inc.

Geoff Evans is a seasoned pharmaceutical services executive with more than 30 years of experience leading growth, transformation, and innovation in the CDMO sector. As President of Eurofins CDMO Alphora Inc., he oversees strategic direction, operational excellence, and client partnership development across integrated development and manufacturing services. Geoff was a founding leader of Alphora Research Inc., a Mississauga-based organization specializing in active pharmaceutical ingredient development and manufacturing. Following its acquisition by Eurofins Scientific in 2017, he was appointed President and has since led a period of significant expansion, tripling the organization’s scale and broadening capabilities to include Solid State R&D, oral drug product development, and biologics manufacturing for monoclonal antibodies and antibody–drug conjugates. Recognized for his entrepreneurial leadership style and ability to scale scientific organizations, Geoff has built high-performing teams and launched new business platforms that strengthen client programs from early development through commercialization. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business.

Samantha McWhirter

Panel 3: Building Biomanufacturing Capacity in Canada

Samantha McWhirter

Co-founder and CEONorthMiRs

Samantha McWhirter is Co-founder and CEO of NorthMiRs and a PhD candidate in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on analysing and optimising lipid nanoparticle drug-delivery systems. She contributes to NorthMiRs' formulation team and leads the company's project management and business development. Alongside her research and entrepreneurial work, she has participated in business training, investor showcases and pitch competitions, and has held leadership and mentoring roles in scientific and professional communities.

Christopher Procyshyn

Panel 3: Building Biomanufacturing Capacity in Canada

Christopher Procyshyn

Technology executive and life sciences leaderFormer CEO of Vanrx Pharmasystems

Christopher Procyshyn is a Canadian technology executive and life sciences leader based in British Columbia, formerly CEO of Vanrx Pharmasystems, where he advanced automated aseptic technologies for the biopharmaceutical industry. He has contributed to Canada’s national pandemic response as a member of the federal Vaccine Task Force, supporting efforts to strengthen domestic biomanufacturing capacity and innovation. His work is grounded in deep experience across pharmaceutical manufacturing systems, robotics and automation, aseptic processing, and scalable production technologies. Chris has extensive international experience working with global biopharmaceutical companies and partners. His work focuses on bridging scientific innovation, advanced manufacturing, and policy to enhance Canada’s competitiveness in biopharmaceuticals.

Keynote session title: Biopharmaceuticals and Canada: Where we are, When we need to go, and How You Are Going To Take Us There.

Melissa E Anders

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Melissa E Anders

Founder, Leadership & Career CoachMelissa E Anders Coaching

Melissa Anders is a career and leadership coach who helps women trained in STEM navigate high-pressure seasons without burning out and move into their next phase with clarity and direction.

Drawing on 15 years of experience in research and healthcare, where she helped secure over $100 million in funding, Melissa understands the pressures that come with growing responsibility and the cost of constantly pushing through.

For the past 8 years, Melissa has worked professionally as a coach, helping women in STEM grow their careers without sacrificing their time, energy, or wellbeing.

Her work focuses on building the internal and external systems women need to manage demanding roles, set stronger boundaries, trust their decisions, and recognize the value they create.

She believes that success shouldn't require constant overextension. Whether women are navigating a demanding season, stepping into greater leadership, or deciding what comes next, Melissa helps them create more opportunities and impact while building careers that fit the lives they want to live.

Shadan Ashfaie

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Shadan Ashfaie

Enterprise AI Transformation & Applied AI Portfolio Leader | AdvisorAmgen (Consultant)

Shadan Ashfaie is an Enterprise AI Transformation and Applied AI Portfolio Leader and Advisor with over 20 years of experience driving technology innovation, digital transformation, and enterprise programs across life sciences, healthcare, and other industries. Her career includes a decade working in Silicon Valley, as well as extensive experience in Canada.

Her recent work focuses on scaling generative AI capabilities in global life sciences organizations, including work with Amgen. Her expertise spans enterprise AI platforms, AI governance, responsible adoption, and translating emerging technologies into measurable business value.

Throughout her career, Shadan has led complex, cross-functional initiatives, bridging technology, business strategy, and organizational change. She is passionate about helping organizations move from AI experimentation to sustainable enterprise adoption.

Having completed UC Berkeley’s Executive Leadership Program in Artificial Intelligence, Shadan is also an industry speaker and advocate for continuous learning, professional development, and bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry application.

Liz Csaszar

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Liz Csaszar

Director, Cell Processing LaboratoryUHN

Liz Csaszar is the Director of the Cell Processing Laboratory at UHN, where she is responsible for the scientific and logistical operations of the clinical Cell Processing Laboratory within the Blood and Marrow Transplant and Immune Effector Cell (BMT-IEC) program at Princess Margaret Hospital. Liz's career focus is the development and manufacturing of advanced therapies, with expertise in cell therapy process development and MSAT, and a strong interest in team leadership. Previously, Liz work as the Senior Director of Manufacturing Sciences at Notch Therapeutics, and a Process Development Manager at CCRM. Liz holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto.

Angela Davoud

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Angela Davoud

Co-founder & CGOPeakR&D

Angela Davoud is the Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer of PeakR&D, where she helps Canadian businesses navigate the complex landscape of non-dilutive funding. Her work spans a broad range of opportunities, from SR&ED tax credits and government grants to commercialization, business expansion, and larger-scale national and international funding programs.

With two Master’s degrees in Organic Chemistry and extensive experience in commercialization, business development, and sales, Angela brings a unique combination of technical expertise and commercial insight. Her background has given her a strong understanding of both the scientific challenges behind innovation and the business realities of bringing new products, technologies, and solutions to market.

At PeakR&D, Angela works with startups, growing businesses, and established companies across industries, helping them identify funding opportunities that align with their R&D activities, commercialization plans, and long-term growth objectives. She believes that accessing government funding should be more than pursuing individual grants or tax credits; it should be part of a broader strategy that supports innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.

Angela also actively engages with founders, industry leaders, and innovation ecosystem partners, building connections and collaborations that help businesses access the resources, expertise, and opportunities they need to grow.

Cynthia Elias

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Cynthia Elias

Senior Principal ScientistSanofi

Dr. Cynthia Elias 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, Dr. Elias 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. Dr. Elias 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.

Jasmine is a Senior Advisor at Health Emergency Readiness Canada and an experienced mentor and educator. In her current role, she manages a small team and integrates her expertise in research, collaboration, and life sciences to support senior leadership. Previously, Jasmine was a Scientific Associate at the University Health Network, providing critical technical and administrative support to senior leaders—including the Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee—while collaborating with diverse research and clinical experts to achieve multi-institutional goals.

Beyond her professional roles, Jasmine is committed to community service and leadership, as reflected in her role as a mentor for the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario’s Youth Empowerment Program and her previous leadership of the Canadian Hunger Foundation’s Global Education Program in BC, for which she received the Jay Telfer Award.

She holds a Ph.D. in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine from the University of British Columbia, a certificate in Global Health Governance from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, and a BSc. in Biochemistry from Trent University.

Alex Kamp

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Alex Kamp

Curriculum Development & Partnerships LeadCATTI

Alex (they/them) is a biomedical engineer and advanced therapies professional with 15+ years of experience across academia, research, and industry. Currently the Curriculum Development & Partnerships Lead at CATTI, they design and deliver hands-on and classroom training for cell and gene therapy manufacturing teams to build talent for Canada’s biomanufacturing sector.

Their career spans leadership roles in scientific research, clinical manufacturing, stem cell research (MSC and iPSC), and technology transfer, with expertise in pilot studies, GMP readiness, quality systems, and process optimization to transition therapies into regulated environments.

Alex holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University and completed a postdoc at the University of Toronto (Sefton Lab) focused on stem-cell-driven diabetes research. They are passionate about mentorship, industry-academic collaboration, and helping early-career professionals explore biotech careers. Outside of work, Alex enjoys improv and live shows.

Donghoon Lee

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Donghoon Lee

CEOOmphalos Lifesciences

Donghoon Lee, PhD, is the co-founder and CEO of Omphalos Lifesciences, an early-stage startup building a collaborative modeling and simulation ecosystem for virtual biological experimentation. He earned his BSc and PhD in Cell and Systems Biology from the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Dr. Lee is also passionate about empowering the next generation of scientists and innovators to think across disciplines, combine technical rigor with entrepreneurial judgment, and build impactful careers at the intersection of life sciences and technology. His interests also extend to dual-use technologies and their role in advancing national strategic priorities.

Kathy Lee

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Kathy Lee

Regulatory Affairs Clinical Trials AssociateAstraZeneca Canada

Kathy is a regulatory affairs professional at AstraZeneca Canada, supporting clinical trial applications and marketing authorization submissions. She obtained her PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto, where she investigated the role of G protein signaling in bone fracture repair.

Following her PhD, Kathy began her industry career in medical writing, developing scientific and medical content for provincial and national advisory boards to catalyze the clinical adoption and implementation of newly approved innovative medicines and identify unmet medical, educational, and research needs within the clinical community. She also developed medical education materials for healthcare professionals.

Driven by a keen interest in the critical role of regulatory approval in bringing life-changing medicines to patients, she pivoted to Regulatory Affairs in 2025. In her current role at AZ, she leads regulatory submissions across the drug development lifecycle from clinical trial applications (CTA, CTA-A, CTA-N) through marketing authorization (NDS, SNDS) by navigating regulatory requirements and translating scientific and clinical evidence into regulatory and submission strategies that support the development and availability of innovative therapies for patients in Canada.

Lynne Liu

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Lynne Liu

Global Regulatory Affairs CMC LeadSanofi

Lynne Liu is a seasoned Regulatory Affairs and Compliance professional with more than a decade of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, bringing a unique combination of regulatory expertise, quality and compliance knowledge, project management skills, and industry leadership. Her career has encompassed a broad range of roles across Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Development, Compliance, Validation, and Project Management, providing her with extensive experience throughout the pharmaceutical product lifecycle. She holds a Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and is both a certified Regulatory Affairs Professional (RAC) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

Lynne Liu currently serves in Global Regulatory Affairs CMC at Sanofi, where she leads global Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) regulatory strategies and manages international regulatory submissions in partnership with cross-functional regulatory, quality, and manufacturing teams. Her expertise includes Regulatory CMC submissions, Health Canada Clinical Trial Applications (CTAs), New Drug Submissions (NDSs), validation programs, compliance systems, and regulatory strategy development.

In addition to her industry role, Lynne is a professor at Seneca Polytechnic, where she is committed to helping students bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world pharmaceutical practice. Drawing on her extensive industry experience, she equips future regulatory and quality professionals with practical knowledge, current industry insights, and the skills needed to succeed in today's highly regulated healthcare environment.

Gena Markous

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Gena Markous

Life Sciences Insurance AdvisorHUB International

Gena Markous is a Business Development and Insurance Advisor in HUB International’s Life Sciences practice, where she works with life sciences companies of all stages to help them understand and manage risk, from a first shared lab space through clinical trials and commercialization.

Gena’s path into this role wasn’t traditional. She spent five years as a scientist, including work on CAR-T cell manufacturing and immunotherapy device development at Cytiva, before making a deliberate pivot into the business side of life sciences. That transition was driven by a recognition that even the most promising science can be stopped in its tracks by the operational and financial gaps that surround it.

She holds an M.Sc. in Biochemistry from McMaster University, a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Waterloo, and an Ontario Graduate Certificate in Insurance Management from Humber Polytechnic, and is a licensed insurance broker.

Gena is passionate about helping scientists at any stage explore the full breadth of careers their background can open up, including ones that don’t look like science at first glance.

Mona Abu Nameh

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Mona Abu Nameh

CMC Regulatory Affairs Manager | Generative AI & Agents Change Management LeadAstraZeneca Canada

Mona Abu Nameh is a CMC Regulatory Affairs Manager at AstraZeneca with more than 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Alongside her regulatory expertise, she advances AI adoption across cross-functional teams in Canada and globally through capability building, change management, and practical AI solution development. Her work spans generative and agentic AI, with a focus on improving efficiency, breaking down barriers to adoption, and enabling new ways of working.

Yosuke Niibori

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Yosuke Niibori

CSORe:Pair Genomics

Yosuke Niibori, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist, biotechnology entrepreneur, and the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Re:Pair Genomics Inc. He also served as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Toronto, bringing over two decades of experience spanning molecular neuroscience, viral vector engineering, and gene therapy. Working at wet-lab biology and machine learning, Dr. Niibori focuses on developing computational modeling and generative design to create next-generation therapeutics. At Re:Pair Genomics, he leads the discovery of AI-engineered, cell-type-specific promoters and precision biologic candidates designed to overcome delivery and specificity bottlenecks in genomic medicine. Having navigated the trajectory from bench discovery to startup creation, Dr. Niibori is dedicated to guiding trainees who want to bridge academic research and biotechnology entrepreneurship. He regularly shares practical perspectives on leveraging interdisciplinary computational skillsets, de-risking early-stage discoveries, and translating academic innovation into impactful clinical solutions.

David Sealey

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

David Sealey

Director, Regulatory Affairs (Oncology)AstraZeneca Canada

Regulatory leader with drug-development experience and a history of mentoring science trainees.

Morty Soley

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Morty Soley

FounderPulsera Bio

Morty holds a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Master’s in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin. He began his finance career in EY’s valuation group in Dallas, where he worked on venture capital portfolio valuations.

He is now the founder of a life sciences instrument startup building sensors with applications in cell therapy manufacturing.

Anu Vajjala

Structured Networking with Industry Professionals

Anu Vajjala

Employer LiaisonACCES Employment

Dr. Anuradha (Anu) Vajjala, PhD Life Sciences Strategist | Entrepreneur | AI & Innovation Enthusiast | Talent Development Advocate

Anu holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and brings extensive international experience spanning scientific research, entrepreneurship, and life sciences strategy consulting. She has advised global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies on primary & secondary competitive intelligence, market research, and strategic decision-making.

As Founder of Athena Advisory, she is passionate about life sciences innovation, startups, and bridging scientific discovery with commercial opportunity. Her interests extend to AI development and application, including hands-on experience training and evaluating frontier LLMs, as well as science policy and advocacy.

A passionate advocate for mentorship and career development, Anu has extensively mentored researchers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and industry professionals through pro bono initiatives and organizations such as the Life Sciences Career Development Society (LSCDS) at the University of Toronto. She has also been invited as a guest speaker at scientific forums and conferences, sharing insights on career transitions, professional development, and opportunities beyond academia.

Currently, as an Employer Liaison at ACCES Employment, Anu cultivates strategic partnerships with life sciences employers, industry leaders, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders to advance talent development and workforce integration. She spearheads employer engagement initiatives, organizes hiring and networking events, curates industry guest speaker sessions, and facilitates mentorship opportunities, helping internationally trained professionals navigate and build meaningful careers in Canada's evolving life sciences ecosystem.

Darius Rackus

Interactive Discussion Session

Darius Rackus

Moderator · Associate Professor
BioHubNet Scientific Co-Director
BioHubNet

Darius Rackus is a Scientific Co-Director of BioHubNet and an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biology at Toronto Metropolitan University. His research develops miniaturized analytical tools for biology and chemistry, with interests spanning diagnostics, electrochemistry, microfluidics and single-cell analysis. Through the Miniaturization in Bioanalysis Laboratory, he works across chemistry, biology and engineering to make measurements from small samples and individual cells. Rackus earned his PhD at the University of Toronto and previously held a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Gilbert Walker

Interactive Discussion Session

Gilbert Walker

Moderator · Professor
BioHubNet Scientific Co-Director
BioHubNet

Gilbert Walker is a Scientific Co-Director of BioHubNet and a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on surface chemistry, including how synthetic nanomaterials interact with living systems and light. His group also develops scientific instruments to study these interactions, working at the interface of analytical, physical, polymer and materials chemistry.

Sven Ansorge

Interactive Discussion Session

Sven Ansorge

Director, Technical Training and InnovationCASTL

Sven has more than 15 years of experience in biopharmaceutical R&D and has led research teams in both academic and industrial/GMP manufacturing environments. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from l’École Polytechnique de Montréal and specializes in bioprocessing for the production of viral vectors, vaccines, recombinant proteins, and cell therapy products. Sven has been one of the early adopters of capacitance-based monitoring technology in cell culture and is still considered as one of the thought leaders in this area. He is passionate about the ultimate why of biomanufacturing and enjoys building bridges between academic discovery and industrial application. As Director of Technical Training & Innovation, Sven ensures that trainees receive technical training of the highest quality that is relevant to their roles in the biomanufacturing industry.

Garima Ghale

Interactive Discussion Session

Garima Ghale

Associate Director, Programs & Strategic PartnershipsOBIO

Dr. Garima Ghale is passionate about translating scientific innovations into real-world impact. As Associate Director of Programs & Strategic Partnerships at OBIO, she supports the commercialization and scaling of health and life sciences companies. She also spearheads the OBIO Women in Health Initiative, a program dedicated exclusively to supporting women entrepreneurs in the health and life sciences sector. She teaches business model development in McMaster University’s Master of Biomedical Innovation program. Prior to joining OBIO, she was a Venture Manager at the Creative Destruction Lab (Toronto), where she evaluated technologies and supported early-stage ventures. Her expertise includes life sciences diligence, fundraising strategy, commercialization, stakeholder management, and communications. Dr. Ghale holds a PhD in Chemistry from Germany and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Her work has been published in top-tier peer-reviewed journals, including Science, Nature, and JACS, with over 1,000 citations. She is a recipient of the DFF-MOBILEX mobility grant from the Danish Council for Independent Research and was selected as one of the young scientists to attend the 59th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting.

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Ghale is a proud mom — a role she considers her most meaningful.

Juliana Jy

Interactive Discussion Session

Juliana Jy

Senior Program ManagerCCRM/DTBL

Juliana Jy is a Senior Program Manager, Technology Platforms at CCRM, where she partners with Platform Heads to shape strategy, foster collaboration across the organization and its affiliates, and lead internal initiatives. She currently serves as Program Manager for DeepTech Bio Lab (DTBL), strengthening coordination among internal teams and external partners, establishing effective processes, and aligning key stakeholders. During her nearly 10 years at CCRM, Juliana has held roles spanning operations, compliance, and program management.

Angela Shaoxu Li

Interactive Discussion Session

Angela Shaoxu Li

Digital Product ManagerSanofi

Angela Li, PhD is a Digital Product Manager in Sanofi’s Digital R&D, where she leads the development of AI-driven digital products supporting antibody and vaccine molecule discovery. Her work focuses on connecting scientific research, computational modeling, and digital technologies to accelerate biologics discovery and development.

Angela brings more than a decade of experience in biopharmaceutical R&D, spanning protein science, vaccine CMC development, advanced analytics and digital transformation. Before moving into Digital R&D, she worked in Sanofi’s Vaccines CMC organization, supporting vaccine candidates from preclinical development through late-stage development and technology transfer. Angela holds a PhD from the University of Toronto in structural biology.

Jessica Tate

Interactive Discussion Session

Jessica Tate

Vice-President, Vector Platform TechnologyCCRM/DTBL

Dr. Jessica Tate is Vice-President of Vector Platform Technology at CCRM, where she leads vector technology platform and oversees DeepTech Bio Lab (DTBL) operations. Through DTBL, she connects biomanufacturing and advanced analytics with high-performance computing (quantum computing and AI/ML) computing to address industry challenges. With over 20 years in viral vector research and a Ph.D. in molecular genetics from the University at Buffalo, she has supported more than 70 viral vector products, four reaching pivotal or commercial stages. Her experience spans process development, tech transfer and process characterization, including building teams and facilities. Her work includes several publications and U.S. patent filings.