iSciWNY and UB’s CBLS to honor future life sciences professionals at induction ceremony

BUFFALO, N.Y. – iSciWNY and the University at Buffalo’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences (CBLS) will celebrate the next generation of life sciences professionals at an induction ceremony for the 2017 class of the West Seneca Central School District Academy of Life Sciences.

These high-school sophomores will graduate with a New York State Regents diploma that includes an expanded certificate in life sciences studies.

iSciWNY is UB’s comprehensive, life sciences workforce development program introduced in 2008 and dedicated to preparing all Western New Yorkers – not just scientists – for new positions in Buffalo Niagara’s growing life sciences industry.

The ceremony will take place Dec. 10 from 4:45-6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the CBLS, 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo.

Sandra Small, PhD, CBLS business development associate and lead coordinator for iSciWNY, will host the ceremony.

“With iSciWNY, these students can find a career path that works for them,” Small said. “Life sciences is more than a lab coat. Students can choose a career in a wide range of fields including, but not limited to, manufacturing, engineering and business.”

Students will also hear from life sciences professionals Norma Nowak, PhD, director of science and technology at CBLS, and Kelly Cycon, PhD, director of the virology department at ZeptoMetrix, about their experiences working in the life sciences field. The ceremony will conclude with Colleen Christmann, academy director, who will formally welcome the students into the Academy of Life Sciences.

This ceremony is part of the monthly Life Sciences Commercialization Lecture Series, hosted by the CBLS.

CBLS is a hub for life sciences innovation and technology-based economic development. Leveraging our resources, we drive scientific discovery, facilitate collaboration among academia, industry and the public sector. We help companies get the funding they need to thrive, scientists gain access to world-class facilities and create employment and investment opportunities that improve human health. Stay connected with the CBLS on Twitter @UB_CBLS.