BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//BioNJ - ECPv6.17.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:BioNJ
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://bionj.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for BioNJ
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261204T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261204T144500
DTSTAMP:20261028T162943Z
CREATED:20260612T165847Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261028T162943Z
UID:18323-1796373000-1796395500@bionj.org
SUMMARY:2026 BioNJ Inspiring STEM Conference
DESCRIPTION:INFORM\, INVOLVE\, INSPIRE\n\n\n\nFriday\, December 4\, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.Genmab\, 777 Scudders Mill Road\, Bldg. 1\, 4th Floor\, Plainsboro\, NJ 08536Members $295\, Future Members $395\n\n\n\n\nRegister Today!\n\n\n\nBecome a Sponsor\n\n\n\n\nJoin us on December 4 for BioNJ’s Inspiring STEM Conference — our signature event celebrating innovation\, fostering meaningful collaboration and empowering the next generation of STEM leaders and changemakers. \n\n\n\nBuilding on our theme of INFORM\, INVOLVE and INSPIRE\, this year’s Conference will focus on Building the Foundations for Success in STEM\, exploring the knowledge\, skills and experiences that open doors to opportunity and lay the groundwork for future success. \n\n\n\n                \n                \n                            \n                            \n                    \n        \n\n                                        TimeCheck Out the Agenda\n\n\n\n        \n            8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.\nRegistration & Networking Breakfast \n        \n            \n            9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.\nWelcome & Opening Remarks \n\nDebbie Hart\, President & CEO\, BioNJ\nChris Cozic\, Executive Vice President\, Chief People Officer\, Genmab\n\n        \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n                \n                \n                            \n                            \n                    \n        \n\n                                        Time BE INFORMED: EDUCATIONAL TOPICS\n\n\n\n        \n            9:15 a.m.– 10:00 a.m.\nOpening Keynote: Beyond the Lab – Essential Skills for STEM Leadership and ImpactAs scientific innovation accelerates\, technical expertise alone is no longer enough. Today's STEM leaders must navigate communication\, influence\, finance\, public engagement and strategic decision-making. This session will explore the foundational skills that enable professionals to amplify their impact and lead meaningful change. \n        \n            \n            10:00 a.m.– 10:45 a.m.\nPanel: How Science Gets Funded – Understanding the Financial Ecosystem Behind Innovation \nFrom venture capital and angel investing to public funding and IPOs\, scientific breakthroughs require investment to reach Patients. This session will demystify funding pathways and provide insight into how investment decisions are made. \n  \nTopics for Discussion: \nVenture capital\, angel investing\, and strategic partnerships\nPublic vs. private funding models\nWhat investors look for when evaluating opportunities\nFundraising lessons from biotech entrepreneurs\nTranslating scientific value into business value\nCareer opportunities at the intersection of science and finance\n\nPanelists: \n\nJosh Barer\, Managing Director\, Astr Partners \nYidian Liu\, Co-Founder & COO\, PolyGone Systems\nAriane Vasilatis\, Ph.D.\, CEO & Co-Founder\, Zena Therapeutics\n\n        \n            \n            10:45 a.m.– 11:15 a.m.\nNetworking Break & Exhibitor Showcase \n        \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n                \n                \n                            \n                            \n                    \n        \n\n                                        Time BE INVOLVED:   INTERACTIVE TOPICS TO PROMOTE ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS/STEPS FOR ALL\n\n\n\n        \n            11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.\nInteractive Workshop: Telling the Story of Science \nEffective communication is essential for building trust\, advancing innovation and engaging diverse audiences. Participants will work through practical exercises on translating complex scientific concepts into compelling and accessible stories. \n  \nTable Discussion Themes: \n\nCommunicating with non-scientific audiences\nBuilding trust in science\nStorytelling for leadership and influence\nCommunicating innovation to investors and policymakers\nMedia\, public engagement and advocacy\n\n        \n            \n            11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.\nIntroduction of Workshop / Table Discussion Topics \n        \n            \n            12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.\nLunch & Table Discussions/Workshop & Exhibitor Showcase \n        \n            \n            1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.\nDebrief on Table Discussions/Workshop \n        \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n                \n                \n                            \n                            \n                    \n        \n\n                                        TimeBE INSPIRED: INSIGHTS TO INSPIRE \n\n\n\n        \n            1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.\nUpdate on Women-Centered Research & InnovationExplore the latest advances in women-centered research and innovation\, highlighting emerging discoveries\, evolving approaches and opportunities to address longstanding gaps in women’s health. Hear how researchers and industry leaders are driving progress toward more inclusive research\, better health outcomes and a healthier future for women. \n\nSpeaker:\n\nElizabeth Garner\, M.D.\, CEO\, Sena Therapeutics\n\n        \n            \n            2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.\nPanel: Uncharted Paths – Unexpected Careers Making a Difference in STEM \nMany of today's most impactful STEM careers are not found in traditional career maps. Hear inspiring stories from professionals who built successful careers in fields\, such as market access\, policy\, entrepreneurship\, corporate affairs\, Patient advocacy\, business development and innovation. \n  \nTopics for Discussion: \n\nNavigating non-linear career journeys\nLessons learned from career pivots\nBuilding influence beyond your technical role\nThe growing importance of cross-functional leadership\n\nPanelists:\n\nMaureen Cruz\, Ph.D.\, Principal\, Faegre Drinker\nJayne Gershkowtiz\, Chief Patient Advocate Emerita\, Amicus Therapeutics\nShannon Wisniewski\, Board Secretary\, Executive Director\, Business Development & Program Management\, Starton Therapeutics\n\n        \n            \n            2:45 p.m. \nClosing Remarks \n        \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosh BarerManaging DirectorAstr Partners  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChris CozicExecutive Vice PresidentChief People OfficerGenmab & Board Chair\, BioNJ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMaureen Cruz\, Ph.D.PrincipalFaegre Drinker \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nElizabeth Garner\, M.D.CEOSena Therapeutics \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJayne GershkowtizChief Patient Advocate EmeritaAmicus Therapeutics \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDebbie HartPresident & CEOBioNJ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYidian LiuCo-Founder & COOPolyGone Systems \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAriane Vasilatis\, Ph.D.CEO & Co-FounderZena Therapeutics \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShannon WisniewskiBoard SecretaryExecutive DirectorBusiness Development &Program ManagementStarton Therapeutics
URL:https://bionj.org/event/2026-bionj-inspiring-stem-conference/
LOCATION:Genmab\, 777 Scudders Mill Road\, Plainsboro\, NJ\, 08536\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bionj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IWSTEM.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR