Group Events
In addition to challenging internship opportunities, Project Onramp provides its scholars with opportunities to learn from industry professionals throughout the summer. In addition, the cohort of students gets a chance to network with many employees of our partner companies as well as with each other. The summer “mixers” forge bonds that last beyond a single summer!

May 28, 2020
Internship Bootcamp
The virtual bootcamp, run by Bottom Line, prepared students for a very unusual summer internship experience. Almost all of our internships this summer were “remote-work” positions. Students got started on the right foot with inspiration from keynote speaker Imran Babar, PhD, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, Tiburio Therapeutics.

June 17, 2020
Going Virtual: Networking, Getting Hired and the Next Normal Workplace
Industry experts like Susan O’Connor and Betsy Cutting (Beam Therapeutics), Crystal Riley (Enspira) and Jessica Sousa (MassBio) addressed the challenges of networking, onboarding and remote work in the “next normal” workplace. Interns networked virtually with peers and experts after the session.

June 24, 2020
Lunch and Learn: Moderna Therapeutics
The team from Moderna gave students insight into their company, and their work during the Covid-19 pandemic. Students were able to ask questions of the Moderna team about the rewards and challenges of their work.

July 1, 2020
What are the Prospects? The impact of the coronavirus crisis on biotech: opportunities and possibilities
Rob Perez of General Atlantic, Amir Nashat of Polaris Partners and Aremin Hacobian of Third Rock Ventures gave students perspective on the industry in 2020 and beyond. Students asked questions, and networked after the virtual session.

July 8, 2020
Lunch and Learn: Halloran Consulting Group
The team from Halloran presented a “day in the life” of a life science industry consultant. Students were able to get a glimpse into the work, and hear about the career journeys of founder Laurie Halloran and her incredible colleagues.

July 15, 2020
Career Skills: Tips and Best Practices
Industry professionals like Rachel Kohn (The Bowdoin Group), Jennifer Peterson and Tracy Nicholson (Third Rock Ventures) gave students advice on finding their authentic voice, and standing out in a professional setting. Students were able to ask questions, and hone skills that will be critically important as they start their careers.

July 22, 2020
Lunch and Learn: QuenchBio
CEO Samantha Truex and the team at QuenchBio gave students an inside look at the company and its work. The presentation was followed by a Q&A where students were encouraged to ask about the company, and each presenter’s personal career path.

July 29, 2020
Careers in the Life Sciences
A conversation with CEOs Chip Clark (Genocea Biosciences) and Rene Russo (Xilio Therapeutics) was followed by small group discussions for students with over a dozen industry volunteers about career paths in the life science industry. The volunteers included Catherine Cushenberry (Pear Therapeutics), Courtney Utsey (Enzyvant), Michele Rhee (X4 Pharmaceuticals), Shana Walrond (Bristol Myers Squibb), Andrew Rodriguez (Millipore Sigma) Susu Wong (Tomo360), Ornella Nelson (Abbvie), Rosana Kapeller (Rome Therapeutics), Juan Betanzo (Celsius Therapeutics) and Forest Sun (Flagship Pioneering). These small groups were able to delve more deeply into individual student questions, and more easily forge connections with the volunteers.

August 5, 2020
Lunch and Learn: Life Science Cares
Led by Sarah MacDonald of Life Science Cares, industry professionals who have roles in corporate social responsibility explained how they create impact in their work, and discussed how young professionals can volunteer in the workplace. Alex Schuman (Alexion Pharmaceuticals/Alexion Charitable Foundation) and Sasha Purpura (Food for Free) answered the many questions that interns had. This was a well-attended session that highlighted the interest of interns in corporate social responsibility.

August 12, 2020
2020 Internship Showcase
The showcase was a virtual celebration of a challenging summer, and of the incredible work that interns did despite these challenges. Remarks by CEO David Lucchino of Frequency Therapeutics kicked off the event, and preceded the presentation of summer work by each of the interns. The mood was celebratory as the intern cohort congratulated each other on getting through summer 2020!
Project Onramp is ready to break down barriers and speed students from low-income backgrounds to success—while helping our member companies build the statewide labor pool and boost diversity.
- PROGRAM CONTACT:
- Lila Neel
- lila@lifesciencecares.org
Lila Neel
lila@lifesciencecares.org