6-WEEK VIRTUAL biotech CAREER ACCELERATOR

Launch Your Career in Biotech & Life Sciences

STEM Connect is a virtual, 6-Week Career Accelerator (July 9 - Aug 13) designed to help students & early-career professionals explore career pathways in biotech and life sciences, strengthen their professional network, and gain real-world industry insight through curated sessions, industry engagement, and community.

Included with MelanInScience Membership · $150 for non-members

JOIN THE 2026 COHORT
SPONSOR A STUDENT

STEM Connect is part of the MelanInScience Ecosystem. All participants receive full member access.

Explore Careers in Biotech, Build Industry Connections, and Accelerate Your career Growth!

Connect with Industry Professionals

Engage directly with scientists, founders, operators, and leaders across biotech.

Explore Biotech Career Pathways

Learn about both technical and non-technical roles across the life sciences ecosystem.

Build Your Professional Brand

Strengthen your resume, networking approach, LinkedIn presence, and career positioning.

Grow with Community

Join a cohort of ambitious students and emerging professionals navigating biotech careers together.

The STEM Connect Program

6 Weeks. live Virtual Sessions.

Led by real biotech professionals, each session is designed to provide real-world insight into biotech careers while building professional confidence and community.

Participants will also gain access to a supportive network of peers and professionals across the life sciences ecosystem.

Program Format

  • Weekly Live Sessions

  • Thursdays: July 9 – Aug 13 · 4:00–5:30 PM PST

  • On-going asynchronous support

By the end of the program you will:

  • Understand how the biotech industry operates end-to-end

  • Learn how to position yourself for science career pathways

  • Build real relationships within the industry

  • Develop communication skills for high-impact environments

To receive your end-of-program certificate, participants must attend at least 5 of the 6 live sessions.

Pricing:
Included with your MelanInScience membership at no additional cost · $150 for non-member participants

Enrollment is now open!

JOIN THE 2026 COHORT

Program outline

JOIN THE 2026 COHORT!

Welcome 2026 industry partners & SPEAKERS!

2026 industry partners

  • Sanofi

    Sanofi is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth.

  • Bio-Techne

    Bio-Techne empowers researchers by providing high-quality reagents, instruments, custom manufacturing, and testing services with our family of brands.

2026 program speakers

  • Dr. Carmen Banks, Ph.D.

    Founder, MelanInScience

    Senior Scientist, Root Applied Sciences

  • Aneesa Valentine

    Senior SciOps Engineer, DataJoint

  • Jasmine Muse

    Sr Manager, Global Regulatory Affairs, CMC, UCB

  • DR. Michelle Collins, PHD, MBA

    Senior Director, Strategic & Innovation Development, Bio-Techne

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The STEM Connect is a career development program designed to expose students & early career professionals to careers in biotech, biopharma, and related STEM industries. The program bridges the gap between academic training and industry careers through educational programming, professional development, and direct engagement with industry leaders.

  • Nope, the program is open to everyone!

    We welcome students and professionals of all levels and backgrounds, including STEM and non-STEM!

  • To receive your end-of-program certificate, you’ll need to attend at least 5 of the 6 live sessions.

  • Absolutely! All programming is virtual and timezone-inclusive when possible.

  • Plan for 1.5 hour per week, plus self-paced professional development assignments.

  • Participants will gain:

    • Insight into diverse career pathways across the life sciences ecosystem

    • Professional development skills (career navigation, networking, personal branding)

    • Direct engagement with industry professionals and companies

    • Expanded professional networks and access to workforce opportunities

  • Once registered, you will receive a calendar invite and virtual meeting link for all your chosen sessions, as well as access to our private slack channel.

  • Although we do recommend joining the MelanInScience Professional Network to get the most out of the program and to receive access to all of our other events, resources, and community offerings — membership is not required to participate in the program.

    Join the Community Today: https://melaninscience.memberful.com/

    Non-members are welcome to register at a rate of $150 per participant.

    MelanInScience members receive access to the Accelerator at no additional cost as part of their membership.

  • For questions about the UC Davis STEM Connect Program, please contact Carmen at: melaninscience@gmail.com

Ready to

KICKSTART

YOUR Biotech CAREER?

Join the 2026 cohort today!