Industry Insider Fall 2021: A Look at Careers

Get the inside scoop on the jobs you want!

Industry Insider:  A Closer Look at Philanthropy Careers

September 22, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Interested in working in the non-profit sector and exploring a career in fundraising? Wondering what else you can do with your graduate or law degrees and which skills are most helpful in the field of philanthropy? Come to this Industry Insider talk where Alysa Batzios will share her insights and answer your questions.

Biography

Alysa became a professional fundraiser after graduating from McGill’s Faculty of Law. She now has extensive experience raising money for higher education, healthcare, politics, and the arts.

Industry Insider: A Closer Look at Ghostwriting Careers

October 6, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Do you enjoy working independently? Seeking to apply your humanities research skills? Ever find yourself losing track of time while writing?

Biography

When Emily Donaldson left McGill with a PhD in 2016, she envisioned finding a job teaching or maybe doing social sciences consulting. When she stumbled upon an opportunity in ghostwriting (also known as collabo), she was intrigued and somewhat skeptical. Why would anyone want to write without being recognized? The answers, she has since found, are myriad. She now works as a full-time ghost writer. And she hasn't looked back.

Dr. Donaldson studied social anthropology and archaeology at Harvard, the University of Chicago and McGill, where she became a Vanier Scholar in 2013. She secretly enjoyed writing her doctoral thesis, which explored sustainability and the spiritual power of heritage in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. Her subsequent book, "Working with the Ancestors" (University of Washington Press, 2019), gave her a taste of what it means to be an author. She has previously worked as an archaeologist, landscape historian, assistant museum curator and freelance researcher. Like most people, Emily had barely heard of ghost writing before she stumbled into it in 2018. She is excited to share what she has learned about this little-known field, including the process and the skills you need to become a ghost writer.

Emily C. Donaldson (she / her)
MA, PhD Anthropology
Website<http://www.emilydonaldson.org>
Marquesas Blog<http://www.facebook.com/MarquesanNow>

Industry Insider: A Closer Look at Broadcast Journalism Careers

October 13, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Interested in a closer look at video-journalism, reporting daily news, with a specialization in producing arts & entertainment segments for TV & Radio, come listen to Christine Long who will address the role of media literacy & critical thinking skills needed in this profession.

Biography

Christine Long has a BA in English Literature & a Certificate in Public Relations Management from McGill. She was at CKUT for one year which launched her career! She also worked at CHOM as a DJ while finishing her undergraduate degree.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-long-1152a329/

Bobby Kemp is a Screenwriter and Film Producer who is currently in his final year of study at McGill University majoring in English Drama and Theatre and minoring in World Cinemas and Quebec Studies. He has created several film projects in collaboration with Television McGill (TVM) as well as through his own production company, Deepest Blue Pictures. His original comedic pilot script, “Skating By”, was a semi-finalist for the prestigious Sundance’s 2020 Episodic lab. Bobby is currently interning with the renowned Montreal Improv as a Communications Specialist.

Industry Insider: A Closer Look at Cultural Consulting Careers

October 20, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Wondering what Cultural Sector Consultants do? Then what our guest, Natalie Lynn Maclean at Lord Cultural Resources has to share will be of particular interest to you.

Moderator: Hannibal de Pencier

Hannibal de Pencier is a writer, curator, and 1st year MA student of art history researching literary spectacle and 19th century technologies of vision.  He is passionate about community oriented creative engagement and interested in museums and publishing careers.

Biography

Natalie MacLean is a Cultural Sector Consultant at Lord Cultural Resources. She uses her research and analytical skills to provide clients with important data and analysis, leading to practical and actionable solutions. Her clients at Lord span North America and have included The California State Library Collections Preservation Study, Natural History Museum of Utah, Bronzeville Center for the Arts, Museum of Northern Arizona, St. Lawrence Market, and Ajax Public Library. Natalie holds a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, an MA in Art History from York University, and an MBA specializing in Arts, Media, & Entertainment Management from the Schulich School of Business. Her graduate research focused on the impact of social media use on visitor experience in museums and galleries, and the management of contemporary art galleries.

Previously, Natalie worked as a curator at WRECK CITY, an independent arts organization in Calgary, Alberta that organizes art events in underutilized urban spaces. She has also worked as a co-director of Pith Gallery and Studios, an arts hub focused on providing resources to emerging artists. Her background in visual arts and self-organized, DIY arts initiatives informs her work with cultural organizations today."

Industry Insider: A Closer Look at Careers in Film and Television and Beyond

October 27, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Interested in learning more about how your creative, writing, and business skills can be used to build a career in film, television, and other arts?

Come learn more from Christos Sourligas on how and have your questions answered.

Moderator: Bobby Kemp is a Screenwriter and Film Producer who is currently in his final year of study at McGill University majoring in English Drama and Theatre and minoring in World Cinemas and Quebec Studies. He has created several film projects in collaboration with Television McGill (TVM) as well as through his own production company, Deepest Blue Pictures. His original comedic pilot script, “Skating By”, was a semi-finalist for the prestigious Sundance’s 2020 Episodic lab. Bobby is currently interning with the renowned Montreal Improv as a Communications Specialist.

Biography

Christos Sourligas is an award-winning and bestselling author, award-winning filmmaker, actor, innovator and disruptor. His debut feature ELEPHANT SHOES was the darling of the film festival circuit, winning awards and selling out screenings across the world. His second feature film HAPPY SLAPPING was the world’s first feature shot entirely on smartphones. Christos’ short film PARK EX. was awarded the Canadian Multicultural Award by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. He produced the documentary DOCKSIDE TO BEDSIDE: 100 YEARS OF HERZL about Canada’s first free family medical clinic which premiered on CityTV. He produced and directed the lifestyle series GEEK ME! for Bell Media and MONTREALERS for Videotron. Christos recently co-authored a #1 bestselling cookbook with his mom based on her Greek food recipes and is distributed worldwide through publishing behemoth Simon & Schuster. He also stars in nationally-renown filmmaker Tony Asimakopoulos’ short film, MOONSHADOWS.

In his previous career, Christos worked as a comedy television series distributor and producer. During his 12-year tenure as Vice President, Television Sales for the world-renowned comedy production company Just For Laughs, television properties entered the homes of over 1.5 billion television viewers worldwide, the shows airing in over 140 countries and on 100 airlines. What’s more, when JUST FOR LAUGHS GAGS was licensed to ABC (USA), it became the first made-for-Canada television series ever to be broadcast on a primetime US network. Following that, Christos went on to work for prestigious production companies such as QuebeComm, Encore Television, Dakota Pictures (Los Angeles), and Media Ranch.

For over 20 years, he’s been mentoring emerging and veteran filmmakers, storytellers and other creatives. Christos has also served as a volunteer with various awards events and festivals (International Emmy Awards, Banff World Television Festival Awards, ACTRA Awards, Yorkton Film Festival, Amerasia Film Festival, Professional Writers Association of Canada), and non-profit organizations (Montreal Film Group, Youth Employment Services, French for the Future) in various roles including programming and promotion, as a board member, jury head and juror. As well, he’s an advisory committee member for Water For African Women; a Senegalese non-profit organization that enhances the economic development, dignity and quality of life for West African women and their families through solar-powered market gardens which grow harvests of food and related returns.

One Man Band Films Inc. 3618-B Aylmer Street, Montreal, QC H2X 2C2

W: www.onemanbandfilms.com
IG: www.instagram.com/christossourligas/
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/christossourligas

Industry Insider: A Closer Look at Data Science

November 3, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Join Managing Principal Lisa Pinheiro and Upamanyu Pathare, Data Scientist from Analysis Group to hear about what a Data Scientist does day-to-day, the impact they have on business decisions, and how they help organizations solve real-world problems through the power of Data Science.

Speaker:

Biography

Upamanyu Pathare, M.F.E., Data Scientist

Upamanyu is a data scientist with extensive experience in the application of advanced machine learning and statistical techniques to problems in business, finance, litigation, and health economics. He has worked on full-stack data science platforms and designed data pipelines that include data ingestion, transformation, analytics, and visualization. He is highly experienced in developing human-machine interfaces that can leverage domain experts’ feedback to augment and improve artificial intelligence prediction outcomes. Prior to joining Analysis Group, Upamanyu worked in the risk analytics department of BlackRock, Inc, where he analyzed forex hedging and carry strategies. Upamanyu holds a Master of Financial Engineering (M.F.E.) degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Joint Honours degree in Mathematics and Economics from McGill University.

Lisa Pinheiro, M.Fin., Mathematical Finance, Princeton University

Ms. Pinheiro has an extensive background in quantitative analysis and statistical modeling, which she has applied to various practice areas, including finance, intellectual property, biostatistics, and antitrust. In finance, she focuses on cases involving allegations of market price manipulation, misleading communications, excessive mutual fund fees, and mortgage-backed securities litigation. She has also applied survey analysis and statistical modeling to various intellectual property cases, including patent disputes among smartphone manufacturers, copyright tariff setting for musical works, and patent infringement in the pharmaceutical industry. She has extensive experience analyzing clinical trial, registry, and insurance claims data for both litigation and research purposes and has published manuscripts on pharmacoeconomic issues. In the antitrust field, she has led and managed US and Canadian cases and supported multiple experts in matters involving competition in the online search engine industry, class certification, and cartel and price-fixing allegations. Ms. Pinheiro has also coauthored expert reports and testified on questions relating to the modeling and calculation of royalties and damages.  Prior to joining Analysis Group, Ms. Pinheiro served as executive director of the finance group of CIRANO, where she conducted applied research projects in collaboration with private and public partners, including work on hedge funds, style analysis, credit and operational risk, and the development of integrated risk management tools for practical applications.

Moderator: Xiaomeng Wang

My name is Xiaomeng, I am originally from China, I came to Canada five years ago. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student at UdeM, I am in my fourth year of study. My work focuses on the development of biosensors which I believe has a high value for future medicine. I enjoy hiking and meeting friends.

Industry Insider: A Closer Look at Pharma Careers

November 10, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Want to learn more about medical affairs roles including MSL, Medical Education and global medical affairs?

Come to hear what May Shawi, PhD Global Medical Affairs Leader, Rheumatology Director at The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson has to say & answer your questions.

Biography:

May Shawi, Global Medical Affairs Leader

May currently works at Janssen as a Global Medical Affairs Leader. May started her medical affairs career in Canada as a Medical Science Liaison in Rheumatology and has held different leadership roles over the last decade at Janssen.  Prior to joining Janssen, May worked in Discovery at Novartis and established her own organization BioTech Annecto. May has a solid academic background having obtained her Doctor of Philosophy Degree from McGill in Experimental Medicine and her Masters in Biotechnology from Harvard University. She is currently Vice President and board member of Princeton Landing and a board member Emeritus of the NJ STEM scholars.

Moderator: Jenise Chen

Jenise is a final year PhD candidate at the University of Toronto in the Department of Chemisty under the supervision of Professor Shana Kelley. She is passionate about developing products and technologies for sensing and diagnostics that can positively impact the health and lives of people. Outside of research, Jenise is a freelance artist and a plant enthusiast. She is also an avid rock climber and budding kickboxer.

Industry Insider: A Closer Look at CEGEP Teaching Careers

November 17, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Wondering what it’s like to teach at a CEGEP? Would you like to know how to get in?  Listen to what Carmen Leung has to say and have your questions answered.

Speaker:

Biography

Carmen Leung obtained her B.Sc. in biochemistry at the University of Manitoba and then her M.Sc. in organic chemistry at the University of Toronto. She then spent 12 years as a pharmaceutical research scientist at AstraZeneca in drug discovery. Following her career in the industry, she joined the Department of Chemistry at Dawson College in 2012 and has since really enjoyed teaching and engaging with Cegep students.

Moderator: Daniel Knight

My name is Daniel Knight and am currently an MSc candidate in my hometown of Ottawa, ON. I’ve recently completed an Honours Chemistry degree at Carleton University, and have stayed to pursue an MSc in Chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Maria DeRosa. My research will investigate the therapeutic effects of aptamers in preventing aggregation of IAPP in diabetic patients. I am passionate about ALS research, the outdoors, and sports!

Industry Insider: A Closer Look at Venture Capital Careers

November 24, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Ever wonder what a VC does? Interested in learning more?  Stefan Larson, PhD has been on both sides of the fence, as a startup founder and CEO and as a biotech VC investor for over a decade. He'll share his advice for those contemplating a VC career & answer all the questions you're too afraid to ask!

Biography:

Stefan joined Sectoral Asset Management in 2018 as Partner - Private Equity, responsible for leading biotechnology private equity investments. Stefan is a member of the firm’s Management Committee. He serves as a director on the boards of Pipeline Therapeutics, Prilenia Therapeutics, Amolyt Pharma, and Turnstone Biologics.

Stefan graduated in 1997 from McGill University with a B.Sc. in Biology, and in 1999 from University of Toronto with an M.Sc. in Molecular and Medical Genetics. He completed his Ph.D. in Biophysics at Stanford University in 2004.

Prior to joining Sectoral, he was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and later Venture Partner with Versant Ventures, where he led the establishment of their Toronto-based Discovery Engine and was the founding CEO of Northern Biologics. He was also a cofounder of two medical device companies: Perimeter Medical Imaging, and Tornado Spectral Systems. He began his career at McKinsey & Company in San Francisco and Toronto.

Moderator: Daliah Farajat

Daliah Farajat is from Montreal and did her undergraduate degree in biochemistry at Concordia University. She is currently in her second year of the PhD program in chemistry at McGill University. For fun she enjoys doing science outreach events, reading sci-fi novels and eating tasty food.

Industry Insider: A Closer Look at Science Communication Careers

December 1, 2021
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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Interested in learning more about various roles in the science communication sector?  Come listen to what Rina Gandhi, Director of Content, IC Axon , Elizabeth Li, Writer Team, IC Axon Lead & Allen Scholl, Senior Medical Writer, IC Axon do on a day to day basis & answer your questions. Find out more about how to apply your life sciences graduate studies away from the bench.

Speakers & Biography:

Rina Gandhi, Director of Content

Rina earned her MSc in Neuroscience in 2006, after which she continued to work as a Research Assistant until joining IC Axon as a Medical Writer in 2008. At IC Axon, Rina combined her interests in science with her passion for communication and creativity to develop sales training content for pharmaceutical sales representatives. Over the last 13 years she took on numerous product launch projects in multiple therapeutic areas and rounded out her skill set with a certificate in instructional design and a PMP; she is now the Director of the Content department, where she leads a team of nearly 50 Medical Writers, Medical Editors, and support staff.

Elizabeth Li, Writer Team Lead

Elizabeth Li is an alumnus of McGill University with a B.Sc. in Biochemistry (’13), followed by an M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry (’16). She joined IC Axon in 2016 as a Medical Writer where she leveraged her scientific literacy and communication skills to developing medical training for pharmaceutical sales representatives. Fast forward to today, she is a Writer Team Lead, managing several writers of her own in addition to supporting projects with her subject matter expertise in hematology-oncology. In her spare time, she applies the instructional design principles gleaned from her role at ICA to developing activities for her Girl Guides unit.

Allen Scholl, Senior Medical Writer

Allen Scholl earned his BSc. in Physiology (2016) and his MSc. in Cell Biology (2019) from McGill University. Following grad school, he wanted to get away from the lab bench, but was still interested in pursuing a career in science and medicine. He decided to enter the world of scientific/medical communications and joined IC Axon in the spring of 2019. Now in the role of Senior Medical Writer, he is very glad he made this move early in his career and enjoys creating a variety of learning tools for pharmaceutical sales representatives and executives across several disease states. Outside of the office, you can find Allen running, reading, learning how to cultivate a bonsai tree, or answering questions incorrectly in pub trivia.

Ever wonder what a VC does? Interested in learning more? Stefan Larson, PhD has been on both sides of the fence, as a startup founder and CEO and as a biotech VC investor for over a decade. He'll share his advice for those contemplating a VC career & answer all the questions you're too afraid to ask!

The Zoom meeting link will be sent to all registrants in advance of the course start time. You will need to sign-in to the event using your McGill email address.