Bioscience

BioTalent Canada is collaborating with the Canadian Society of Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST) to allow us to join their online mentoring site – Make Possible. Aside from future local chapter events co-organized by PEI BioAlliance and BioTalent Canada, this online tool is a great way for us to connect on a virtual mentorship platform at any time.

The Canadian Society of Women in Science and Technology, SCWIST, is a professional network founded 35 year ago and promotes, encourages and empowers women and girls in science, engineering and technology. SCWIST is located in Vancouver, BC; however, it recently launched the Make Possible virtual mentorship platform nationwide with funding through Status of Women Canada.

Make Possible is a free mentoring network to advance professionals with careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) virtually or in person. This online platform allows women to become a mentor, mentee or both with other professionals across Canada. In addition to its focus on mentorship, Make Possible is an excellent tool to create valuable network connections and access best practices to help Canadian women achieve their career aspirations.

In the upcoming months, Make Possible will have a “Groups” feature that will allow us to set up a BioTalent Canada group. We will let you know when that advanced feature is available. Take the site for a test run and give us your feedback.

To create an account on Make Possible, please follow the link:

Any questions? Please contact Vivian Beer, PEI BioAlliance, [email protected].

PEI BioAlliance
National Bank Tower
134 Kent Street, Ste. 302
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
C1A 8R8

• UPEI:  Bachelor, Masters and PhD programs
• Holland College Bioscience Technology program
• UPEI/Holland College Bachelor of Bioscience degree program is offered jointly by UPEI and Holland College:
  • Option No. 1: Students, who have completed the college’s Bioscience Technology program, are given a two-year credit towards a B.Sc. at the university.
  • Option No. 2: Students take general science courses in their first year at UPEI, and then apply for the program at Holland College. If accepted, students follow a specified course of study at the university for their second year, attend the Bioscience Technology program at the college in their third year and return to UPEI for their fourth year.
  • On the job training will be provided to all students
• Atlantic Veterinary College Masters and PhD programs

Susan Rowe, Chief Operating Officer for Island Abbey Foods, says her team has grown to approximately 70 employees in 2015. “Our senior management team has an equal balance of men and women who are dedicated to growing the business.”

“Our company offers on-the-job training opportunities and co-op placements. We advocate that students need to learn to apply classroom theory to practical work experience. We support graduate mentorship programs to help new grads gain experience in the workforce.”

Dr. Jennifer Slemmer, Instructor at the Bioscience Technology program at Holland College, says the program attracts both male and female students.  Jennifer would like to see more networking events where people can meet face to face. “Personal meetings foster connections, and make people feel welcome and supported to move forward in the sector.”

Maureen Mix is the Human Resources Manager for Elanco Canada Ltd. on PEI. She says the company makes a conscious effort to recruit women into the industry. “Our organization has a 50/50 split of male to female employees at our sites across PEI as well as within our Canadian affiliate.”

Tracey Jewells-Treige, Associate Director of Projects for Sekisui Diagnostics P.E.I. Inc., started working in the industry over 25 years ago as a Medical Laboratory Technologist.  She graduated from the Medical Laboratory Technology program at the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology.

“Back then, the majority of those in the program and those working in the hospital lab were women.  Many already had a Science degree but needed more focused training in order to gain employment.  Female science graduates now have a multitude of options.”

Katherine Ballem is a Unit Manager in Manufacturing at BioVectra. Katherine says the PEI BioAlliance does a fantastic job in creating networking and mentoring opportunities.

“Women are graduating from science, engineering, math and computer science programs in large numbers, but it is not clear how many women are going on to careers in those fields or whether they are choosing other fields.”

Katherine Ballem says the PEI BioAlliance does a fantastic job in creating networking and mentoring opportunities.

Maureen Mix says her company’s top female talent appreciate the various career opportunities made available to them. “In discussion with associates, many indicate that in-house mentoring and professional development opportunities have influenced their career decisions within the organization. We strongly encourage our female leaders to build strong internal and external relationships; these networks are invaluable to our future leaders.”

Susan Rowe says she strongly believes in mentoring students.  “Our company offers on-the-job training opportunities and co-op placements. We advocate that students need to learn to apply classroom theory to practical work experience. We support graduate mentorship programs to help new grads gain experience in the workforce.”

Jennifer Slemmer would like to see more networking events where people can meet face to face. “Personal meetings foster connections, and make people feel welcome and supported to move forward in the sector.”

For bioscience networking opportunities, visit https://peibioalliance.com/events.