BioHubNet Industry Insights

Inside the Hiring Process: Meet the Decision Makers

Open to STEM highly qualified personnel (HQP) affiliated with one of BioHubNet’s
41 partner institutions across Canada.

Register nowView scheduleView hourly agenda

Tentative event schedule

How will the event work?

  • There will be four concurrent sessions each hour, with each session limited to 20 trainees to support meaningful interaction with speakers.
  • Admission is limited to the first 80 participants each hour. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four breakout rooms with a company representative.
  • Please note that participants who arrive after the first 80 participants will be accommodated in the waiting room. When space becomes available, participants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If you are unable to attend a session due to full capacity, please note that two additional session times will be available throughout the event.
All times, sector order, speakers, participating organizations and session assignments are tentative and will be confirmed later.
Industry Insights 2026
Session 1
1:00–2:00 PM ET(10:00–11:00 AM PT)
AmacaThera
Chief of Staff
Maximum 20 participants
OmniaBio
Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition
Maximum 20 participants
Agilis Health
Vice President
Maximum 20 participants
AstraZeneca
Talent Acquisition Partner
Maximum 20 participants
Session 2
2:00–3:00 PM ET(11:00 AM–12:00 PM PT)
Eurofins CDMO Alphora Inc.
Manager, Technology Transfer
Maximum 20 participants
Spectral Medical
Manager, Reagent Manufacturing
Maximum 20 participants
Bough Biosciences
CEO
Maximum 20 participants
Deep Genomics
Senior Director of Scientific Operations
Maximum 20 participants
Session 3
3:00–4:00 PM ET(12:00–1:00 PM PT)
mDETECT
Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer
Maximum 20 participants
Sanofi
Process Validation Scientist
Maximum 20 participants
Re:Pair Genomics
CSO
Maximum 20 participants
Catalent
Director of Product Development for Canada
Maximum 20 participants

Who should attend & what you’ll learn

For STEM HQP across BioHubNet’s national network

Learn what happens before you apply for a job

Hear how roles are defined, applications are reviewed, and hiring decisions are made—from the people involved in the process.

STEM HQP affiliated with one of BioHubNet’s 41 partner institutions across Canada can participate. View the partner institution list.

Master’s studentsPhD studentsPostdoctoral fellowsResearch associatesLaboratory technicians

Registration

Registration is now open

Choose your preferred concurrent company sessions when you register. Session preferences indicate interest and are not guaranteed.

Register for Industry Insights
Abhaya Khulbe
Industry Insights
2026Session 1
AmacaThera

Session 1AmacaThera

Abhaya Khulbe

Chief of Staff · AmacaThera

Biography

Abhaya Khulbe is Chief of Staff at AmacaThera, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing an injectable hydrogel platform for localized, sustained drug delivery. He has supported the company since its early stages and officially joined in 2019.

Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, Abhaya supports the company across business operations, financial planning, organizational development, investor communications, strategic analysis, compliance, reporting, and partnership activities. He has helped develop AmacaThera’s operational structure and contributed to market analysis and diligence materials supporting its financing activities.

Abhaya brings a multidisciplinary perspective spanning finance, business operations, engineering, artificial intelligence, and digital health. He holds the CFA designation and is a licensed Professional Engineer. He earned an MBA in Finance from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence from the Schulich School of Business at York University, and an MSc in eHealth from McMaster University.

His work focuses on helping translate scientific innovation into coordinated business execution, financing, partnerships, and company growth.
Jessica Bond
Industry Insights
2026Session 1
OmniaBio

Session 1OmniaBio

Jessica Bond

Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition · OmniaBio

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Chris Czaniecki
Industry Insights 2026Session 1
Agilis Health

Session 1Agilis Health

Chris Czaniecki

Vice President · Agilis Health

Biography

Chris Czaniecki brings over a decade of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with expertise spanning medical affairs, training, and field team development. He previously served as Medical Excellence Lead, where he directed strategic initiatives to enhance the performance of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs), including the design and delivery of training programs, individualized coaching, and the optimization of medical insights to inform organizational strategy. Known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to excellence, Chris has a proven track record of building high-performing teams, strengthening scientific engagement, and driving operational impact across the medical function.

About the session

This session is designed for trainees and life sciences professionals interested in exploring career opportunities within the biopharmaceutical industry. Drawing on more than 10 years of experience working across medical and pharmaceutical roles, Chris will share practical guidance on how to translate a scientific or life sciences background into relevant industry career paths, with a particular focus on Medical Affairs. The discussion will cover available roles, the skills pharmaceutical companies look for, how to position academic and scientific experience, and practical strategies for getting a foot in the door. The session will be especially valuable for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career professionals curious about moving beyond traditional academic or research career paths.

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Jeffrey Seres
Industry Insights
2026Session 2
Eurofins CDMO Alphora

Session 2Eurofins CDMO Alphora

Jeffrey Seres

Manager, Technology Transfer · Eurofins CDMO Alphora

Biography

Jeffrey Seres is a biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing leader specializing in technology transfer, CMC strategy, GMP operations, and CDMO partnerships. He currently serves as Manager, Technology Transfer at Eurofins CDMO Alphora, where he leads the transfer and commercialization of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing processes, overseeing a portfolio of development and commercial programs.

With over 14 years of experience spanning pharmaceutical development, advanced therapies, and contract manufacturing, Jeffrey has held leadership roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Patheon, AmacaThera, OmniaBio, and Eurofins CDMO Alphora. His expertise includes technology transfer, process scale-up, project management, regulatory readiness, and cross-functional program leadership across small molecules, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and sterile products.

In addition to his industry leadership, Jeffrey is the founder of LMD Consulting, where he advises biotechnology companies, CDMOs, and sponsors on CMC strategy, GMP readiness, and manufacturing execution. He has supported organizations ranging from emerging biotech startups to global pharmaceutical companies, helping accelerate development timelines and improve operational performance.

About the session

Jeffrey will share real-world perspectives on technology transfer, GMP manufacturing, and CMC strategy gained from leading programs across pharmaceutical, biotech, and advanced therapy organizations. Attendees will learn how innovative therapies move from research into manufacturing, the challenges encountered during scale-up and commercialization, and the importance of collaboration between scientists, startups, and manufacturing partners.

This session will benefit researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals interested in bringing new health technologies to patients. Jeffrey will also take questions from participants.

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Danielle Furtado
Industry Insights
2026Session 1
AstraZeneca

Session 1AstraZeneca

Danielle Furtado

Talent Acquisition Partner · AstraZeneca

Biography

Danielle Furtado - Talent Acquisition Partner at AstraZeneca with progressive experience in strategic sourcing and recruitment at Hays. Skilled in building talent pipelines, partnering with hiring leaders, enhancing candidate experience, and delivering data-informed hiring solutions. Brings additional expertise in communications, live broadcasting, and promotions, with a proven ability to thrive in fast-paced environments.

About the session

Speaker biography, Headshot and introductions

A brief description of the organization

Overview of current opportunities

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Sagar Lahiri
Industry Insights
2026Session 2
Spectral Medical

Session 2Spectral Medical

Sagar Lahiri

Manager, Reagent Manufacturing · Spectral Medical

Biography

Dr. Sagar Lahiri received his PhD in Microbiology from the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan and the University of Toronto. Dr. Lahiri has worked in the biotechnology industry in the Greater Toronto Area for several years as a Research Scientist. He currently serves as Manager of Reagent Manufacturing at Spectral Medical Inc., a Toronto-based medical device and biotechnology company. In this role, he leads a team of scientists and technologists responsible for the development and manufacturing of recombinant protein and antibody products used by diagnostic manufacturers. Beyond biotechnology, Dr. Lahiri is particularly interested in the application of artificial intelligence and automation to transform biological research, development, and manufacturing.

About the session

Dr. Lahiri will share a hiring manager’s perspective with students preparing to transition from academia into the biotechnology and life sciences industry. The discussion will provide practical insight into what employers look for when evaluating candidates, how hiring managers assess resumes and interviews, and why strong technical qualifications alone may not always be enough to secure a position.

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Ben Kolisnyk
Industry Insights
2026Session 2
Bough Biosciences

Session 2Bough Biosciences

Ben Kolisnyk

CEO · Bough Bio

Biography

Ben Kolisnyk is a scientist and biotech founder passionate about developing transformative treatments for brain disorders. His work bridges cutting-edge biology and drug development, with a focus on targeting senescent cells, a key driver of neurodegeneration and psychiatric disease. He holds a PhD in Neurobiology and has spent his career at the intersection of neuroscience and biotech. Before founding the company in 2023, he conducted postdoctoral research in molecular and cellular neuroscience and worked at a leading biotech, where he helped translate early-stage science into therapeutic strategies.

About the session

Ben will introduce Bough Bio, discuss the company’s talent needs, and share the lens he uses to evaluate candidates when hiring. He will answer questions about his career, the company’s hiring practices, and its approach to building organizational culture.

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Marta Verby
Industry Insights
2026Session 2
Deep Genomics

Session 2Deep Genomics

Marta Verby

Senior Director of Scientific Operations · Deep Genomics

Biography

Marta Verby is Senior Director of Scientific Operations at Deep Genomics, an AI-driven biotechnology company building the BioFM (Biological Foundation Model) Platform to accelerate the discovery and design of genetic medicines. In this role, Marta leads the operational infrastructure that underpins Deep Genomics' lab-in-the-loop model, the tight feedback cycle between wet-lab experimentation and AI model training that powers platforms like BigRNA, REPRESS, and DeepADAR.

Marta's remit spans the full scope of scientific operations across Deep Genomics' two experimental sites in Toronto and Cambridge, MA, including procurement and vendor management, facilities and lab space planning, biosafety and regulatory compliance, laboratory automation and equipment engineering, and lab informatics and LIMS systems. She oversees the standardization and validation of automated workflows across both sites, drives data quality and completeness in the electronic lab notebook to ensure experimental data is audit-ready, and manages the equipment, space, and vendor relationships that keep over 10,000 square feet of lab operations running safely and efficiently.

Her work directly supports Deep Genomics' mission to generate reliable, reproducible, and scalable datasets, the evidence base the company relies on for therapeutic program advancement and for further expansions of the BioFM Platform.

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Irsa Wiginton
Industry Insights
2026Session 3
mDETECT

Session 3mDETECT

Irsa Wiginton

Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer · mDETECT

Biography

Dr. Irsa Wiginton is a translational scientist specializing in molecular oncology and diagnostic development. She is the co-founder and Chief Development Officer of mDETECT Inc., a Kingston-based biotech startup developing liquid biopsy assays to track real-time cancer treatment responses. Dr. Wiginton holds a PhD in infectious human pathogens from Queen’s University, where her postdoctoral research focused on commercializing DNA methylation-based liquid biopsy tests. Recognized for her leadership in the Canadian innovation ecosystem, she received the 2023 Mitacs Global Impact Entrepreneur Award, was named to Kingston’s 40 Under 40, and has spearheaded mDETECT’s strategic growth across major venture accelerator programs.

About the session

Irsa will discuss industry-training programs available to students, the startup ecosystem, what it takes to contribute within a small company, and how to pitch technical ideas effectively. Drawing on her experience winning multiple pitch competitions, she will share approaches for translating technology for different audiences.

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Srijit Khan
Industry Insights
2026Session 3
Sanofi

Session 3Sanofi

Srijit Khan

Process Validation Scientist · Sanofi

Biography

Srijit Khan, Ph.D. is an experienced bioprocess scientist currently working at Sanofi (Toronto). He possesses over 14 years of specialized bioprocess experience split across commercial industry and academic research.

His extensive technical background covers the entire antibody development process, ranging from antigen preparation, clone selection to downstream purification and functional analysis. He is highly skilled in bioprocess engineering principles such as scale-up, microfiltration, chromatography, and Quality by Design frameworks.

Additionally, Dr. Khan is an accomplished researcher who has published seven scientific papers focused on biomarker discovery and human immune cell receptor signaling.

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Yosuke Niibori
Industry Insights
2026Session 3
Re:Pair Genomics

Session 3Re:Pair Genomics

Yosuke Niibori

CSO · Re:Pair Genomics

Biography

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.

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Catalent
Industry Insights
2026Session 3
Catalent

Session 3Catalent

Christina Armstrong

Director of Product Development for Canada · Catalent Pharma Solutions

Biography

Christina Armstrong is a graduate from the University of Windsor with an Honours BSc in Biochemistry and currently is the Director of Product Development for Canada at Catalent Pharma Solutions. She leads a team responsible for bringing pharmaceutical and consumer health products from concept to commercialization, working closely with customers and technical experts to drive innovation and business growth. Christina brings 26+ years of experience in product development, strategic leadership, and project execution within the pharmaceutical and consumer health industry.

About Catalent

Catalent is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), supporting pharma, biotech and consumer health companies through an integrated network of 40 sites around the globe. Its mission is to develop, manufacture and supply products that help people live better and healthier lives.

About the session

September 24, 2026
3:00–4:00 PM ET (12:00–1:00 PM PT)

  • Career pathway: Christina's journey from university graduation and the opportunities that shaped her career over 26+ years.
  • What Catalent does: Its services, products and scientific connections across global sites, and their direct impact on patients.
  • STEM careers at Catalent: Opportunities in R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Engineering and Operations.

A Catalent HR partner will also join the session.

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