Opening Welcome & Plenary Session: ONE HEALTH: Biotechnology of Food, Water, and the Environment (Details and Bios)
Grand Ballroom A-F
Coffee/tea available starting at 7:30am.
One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach of working at the local, regional, national, and global levels with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Both field and the built environment in which humans and animals and thrive are not different and the impact of climate and ecological changes on food, air, soil, and water quality affect animals, humans, and plants in surprising similar ways. To ensure optimal health and wellness, all components and segments must be accounted for in public health planning, policy development to manage health programs, nutrition, disease surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment.
Introduction by Ikhide Imumorin, Executive Director of CSUBIOTECH
Speakers:
Dr. Tamu Green, Equity and Wellness Institute, Sacramento, CA Food Access and Equity
Dr. Kenneth Lamb, Dept of Civil Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona Water Mgt and Healthcare
Dr. Matthew Gribble, Dept of Preventive Medicine, UC San Francisco Environmental Health
Session is open to all symposium participants.
| 8:30 - 10:30 am
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What is Biotech anyway?
Grand Ballroom A-F
A session designed to introduce the subject matter of biotechnology, and its impact on society. Discussion around the use of biotechnology as the application of biological processes, organisms, or systems to develop products or technologies for specific applications, typically in fields like medicine, agriculture, and environmental management. Using examples from medicine, agriculture, and environmental management, this session will provide an exciting kaleidoscope of how the combination of biology, technology, and engineering is used to create solutions to improve human life and the planet, as well the economics and policy that shape how biotechnology is deployed.
Hosted by: Jim Cooper, Blue-X Paula Fischhaber, CSU Northridge
Speaker:
Jim Cooper, CEO, Blue-X
Jim Cooper is currently CEO of Blue-X, an integrated consulting, research, development, and venture advisory with work spanning the Indo-Pacific region, working with a global network of entrepreneurs, industry influencers, and corporate partners to accelerate the adoption of transformative climate impact solutions, drive market growth, and create profitable collaborations. The Blue-X team works at the nexus of Oceans-Food-Water-Energy. He is also co-founder and CTO of Braid Theory, an early-stage startup advisory and consulting group located in Los Angeles. Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, and master’s in political science and economics from Cal State Los Angeles, a certificate in molecular biology techniques from University of Sydney, and a certificate in venture investing from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Session is open to all symposium participants.
| 10:45 - 11:30 am
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Return on Investment (ROI) for Industry Partnership: Bridging the Gap: Industry Gains from Campus Partnerships
What does industry want from our partnership with the CSU? As industries face rapid innovation cycles and evolving workforce demands, partnerships with academic institutions offer unique advantages. This panel will explore the diverse ways that companies benefit from engaging with campuses, including not only research and development insights and collaborations, but also talent pipeline creation, name recognition, and the acceleration of technology transfer. Current CSU partners will share real-world examples of successful collaborations, discussing how these partnerships lead to valuable intellectual property, customized workforce training, and shared facilities. We will also dive into the mutual value of student internships and explore other areas of interest such as joint grant proposals.
Hosted by:
Jackie Trischman, CSU San Marcos
Ikhide Imumorin, CSUBIOTECH
Speakers: TBA
| 10:45-11:30 am
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Lunch
Royal Ballroom, South Tower
| 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
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Don Eden Graduate Student Research Award - Finalist Talks
Grand Ballroom A-F
Award Chair: Jason Burke, CSU San Bernardino
Award Finalists: Nadeem Halasah, Cal Poly Pomona Timothaus Haddad, San Diego State University Angel Magaña, CSU Fullerton Yi Shen Lee, CSU East Bay Luis Lopez, CSU Dominguez Hills Session is open to all symposium participants.
| 1:00 - 2:30 pm
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Faculty Short Talks
Grand Ballroom A-F
Hosted by: Math Cuajungco, CSU Fullerton
Speakers:
Sagil James, CSU Fullerton Lin Jiang, San José State University
Maricela Maldonado, CSU Long Beach
| 2:45 - 3:45 pm
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Student Workshop: Graduate School Information Session (Details)
Garden 1-3
Have you ever wondered if graduate school is right for you and how to succeed once you’re there? This year’s graduate student information session has a round-robin format where you will rotate through a series of topic tables and can have your questions about Ph.D. programs answered. During the session you will have the chance to speak with CSU faculty who have advice about graduate school and with graduate school recruiters from campuses such as UCLA, UC Davis, and UC San Diego, among others. We will kick things off with an introduction from Nouneh Boodaghian, an alum of CSU LA, who is currently a PhD student at UC Riverside. Nouneh will host a table to answer questions from a student’s perspective. Finally, have you ever considered returning to a CSU as a faculty member? Representatives from the Chancellor’s office will be there to provide opportunities for funding while an undergrad or during your PhD.
Session Topics: • CSU Alumni – Nouneh Boodaghian (CSULA alum), PhD Student at University of California-Riverside • Preparing for Graduate School: How, When, and What to Do? • Selecting the Graduate School or Program (that is a good fit) • How to Find or Choose a Mentor (and select the best one) • Work-Life Balance (during and after graduate school)
• Where Will a PhD (or MS) Degree Take Me (and how do I find a job afterwards)?
• “Always writing” (a strategy to crank out a great thesis)
• CSU Office of the Chancellor • San Diego State University • University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Irvine • University of California, Los Angeles
• University of California, San Diego • University of Southern California • Keck Graduate Institute • ExFAB Biofoundry
| 4:00 - 6:00 pm
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Student Workshop: Career Networking Session
Pacific Room, North Tower, 2nd Floor
This career networking session allow participants to interact and exchange information, advice, and opportunities to advance student careers in biotechnology. Discussions cover career preparation strategies, seeking out and networking for job opportunities, collaborations, internships, or career growth. Participants will be given opportunities to meet and engage with others through informal, one-on-one conversations or small group discussions with industry professionals or invited successful alumni who will share their experiences, offer career advice, and discuss trends in their field.
Speakers:
Aras Sheikhi, Janus Innovation Hub Halle Redfearn, Onego Bio John Conklin, Jexa Analytics Runqhuan Zhang, Premium Discovery Group Caitlyn Hyde, Lonza Biologics Dana Zhang, Snap Scientific Venture Partners Lital Gilad-Shaoulian, Purpose Bio
| 4:00 - 6:00 pm
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Student Workshop: Career Networking Session Booths
Terrace Room, South Tower
| 4:00 - 6:00 pm
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Faculty Workshop: Development & Fundraising for Faculty
Pacific Room, North Tower, 2nd floor
This workshop is designed to introduce faculty members to the world of fundraising and development, and the fundamentals of raising funds and building sustainable development strategies. It will cover the essential strategies, tools, and techniques for securing funding, build donor relationships, and create long-term financial sustainability. Faculty will become aware of the techniques, tools and strategies used for development and fundraising and how they can contribute to this effort at their institutions.
Speakers:
Carrie Stewart, CSU Office of the Chancellor Melissa Watkins, CSU Office of the Chancellor Mike Helé, CSU San Marcos
| 4:00 - 6:00 pm
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Dinner & Awards
Royal Ballroom, South Tower
| 6:00 - 7:30 pm |
First Poster Session
Grand Ballroom E-G & Hall
Posters Numbers 1 - 110
| 7:30 - 9:00 pm |