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Honoring Black History Month and Women’s History Month; Connect with Top Talent at Our Statewide Career Fairs; Review Our New DEI Website and Pledge; and more.
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Exciting Things to Look Forward to in 2024
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2024. Since the new year, we celebrated a landmark heritage month and have some exciting things planned ahead. During Black History Month in February, we honored the resilience, creativity, and leadership of Black individuals and allies in our industry who are leaving an indelible mark on history. Their legacies continue to inspire and drive progress in our collective journey toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
This March, we embark on Women’s History Month—a month-long celebration of the remarkable achievements, enduring impact and invaluable contributions of women throughout history. It is a time to recognize their unwavering strength and tenacity in overcoming barriers and championing change.
Throughout these significant observances, let us reaffirm our commitment to DEI, amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and uplift the stories of those whose contributions have often been overlooked. Together, we can continue to strive for a more inclusive and equitable society where every individual can thrive and succeed.
Additionally, we invite you to review our new DEI website and pledge as part of our ongoing efforts to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.
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Jennifer Hairston
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Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Biocom California
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Honoring Black History Month
Our February Member Spotlight featured Mathew B. Mitchell, SVP of corporate development at Arialys Therapeutics, recently recognized as one of the most innovative startups of 2023 by PM360. Mathew grew up in Lompoc on California’s Central Coast in a diverse household—his father hails from Memphis, Tennessee, and his mother is from Ireland. He was enamored with science at a young age and pursued advance degrees in chemistry before beginning his nearly two-decade career in life science. He emphasizes the importance of diversity in the industry, believes in the power of proximity to drive positive change, and is devoted to giving back. “What companies and systems can do to help is continue to recognize how this race-based system we’re in doesn’t help anyone,” he says.
“I recommend folks check out A Long Talk About The Uncomfortable Truth for practical methods for dismantling these unhelpful ideologies.”
We also featured insights from Troy Barring, CEO and founder of TAB Diagnostic, on how the industry needs to be more inclusive in clinical trials. Dr. Leeno Karumanchery, co-founder of MESH/diversity, shared how leveraging behavioral sciences—and even AI and data analytics—can help build inclusive workplaces.
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Support for LGBTQIA+ Life Science Professionals
OUTbio San Diego, Biocom California, iBio, and AmpersandPeople hosted an
“I Love My Job” networking mixer for members of OUTbio San Diego—an organization for LGBTQIA+ life science professionals and allies—at Alexandria GradLabs on February 7. More than 150 people attended the event, which incorporated speed-networking Biotech Bingo and facilitated connections across the industry. OUTbio San Diego is free to join; to learn more about the organization and upcoming events, click here.
Connect with Top Talent at Our Statewide Career Fairs
The Biocom California Institute is hosting incredible career fair opportunities across San Diego and the Bay Area. Biocom California members can participate at no cost—take advantage of this opportunity to network with motivated candidates, showcase your unique company culture and seize the chance to recruit the next generation of talent. For more information, please reach out to Paulina Fonville.
Women Who Inspire
Generation STEAM, the K-12 STEAM education nonprofit affiliate of Biocom California, is celebrating International Women’s Day tomorrow with its annual Women Who Inspire Conference at UCSD Park & Market. The conference serves 200 high school girls from Title 1 schools in the San Diego Unified School District. If you are interested in getting involved in similar upcoming programs year-round or want to learn how to participate next year, reach out to Silvana DelPiccolo.
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Partners Committed to Real & Lasting Change
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Share Your News 📣
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Interested in sharing a case study or information on an initiative that your company is working on? We want to know! Click below to tell us all about it.
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Biocom California | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
As leaders in life science, we acknowledge our responsibility to provide and promote a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for our current and future workforce. Through Biocom California’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) initiative and DEI Board Committee, we are taking action to advance a welcoming and thriving life sciences industry that recognizes the value of individuals with diverse backgrounds, talents, experiences, and perspectives.
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