The Future Science Leaders (FSL) program, presented by Acuitas Therapeutics, is an after-school enrichment initiative for teens that nurtures creativity, fosters a lifelong community of like-minded peers, and engages curious minds in scientific research.
FSL students meet weekly from September through April to learn from industry experts and to develop their own interests and skills. Future Science Leaders can be a multi-year program in which students who have completed the Year 1 ‘Discover’ program can apply for the specialized ‘Innovate’ program in Year 2.
Early experiences in STEAM workplaces — that’s science, technology, engineering, art & design, and math — positively impact STEAM career choices. To that end, “A big thing we do in the program is connect students with researchers and STEAM professionals to get better insight into their education and/or work,” says Sean Lipsit, former Future Science Leaders Program Manager.
“Acuitas Therapeutics, Amgen, and STEMCELL Technologies are all places we visited this year to meet their scientists and staff,” continues Sean. “Students say it’s one of the best aspects of being in the program!”
Indeed, the students were buzzing the entire bus ride home from STEMCELL Technologies’ facility in Burnaby. “I have never seen so many kids eager to get their hands on a 384-well plate with liquid in it before,” recalls Sean fondly. Students had the opportunity to use the robot liquid handler at STEMCELL’s lab and made fun designs including Pikachu!
For any young person contemplating a future in STEAM, FSL is a great way to open doors. We reached out to potential local employers to hear what they had to say about pursuing a career in the life sciences.
Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc.
Acuitas is a Vancouver-based biotechnology company with a global reputation for developing and optimizing lipid nanoparticle delivery systems for nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
On an FSL field trip to Acuitas HQ, one of the most interesting points students learned was how you don’t have to be a scientist to make science happen — something Miranda Lam, K.C., President & Chief Legal Officer, echoes:
“In a biotechnology company, groundbreaking discoveries are the product of an entire team rowing together. Scientists drive the science — and their work is ultimately able to find its way to patients, with the support of other disciplines, like human resources to attract and retain the brightest minds; finance to ensure that resources are allocated wisely; legal to navigate complex agreements and regulations and to protect innovations; operations to keep labs running smoothly; and business development to connect discoveries with the partners who can bring them to market.
“Each discipline adds a vital piece to the puzzle. Science, in this context, is very much a team sport — every advancement depends on collaboration, coordination and the unique expertise of people across functions, all united by the shared mission of turning ideas into therapies that can change lives.”
Amgen
As one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, present in more than 100 countries and with a global team of 28,000 employees, Amgen is well-placed to know what it takes to make it in the life sciences industry.
We asked Chadwick King, Associate Vice President at Amgen, what young people can do to prepare themselves to enter the STEAM workplace:
“Success in STEAM is not just about being good with tech,” says Chadwick. “It’s about staying curious, thinking critically, and working with people from different backgrounds. Join projects, volunteer, or find internships that challenge you.
Don’t be afraid of mistakes, because resilience and creativity matter as much as skills. In a fast-changing world, your real edge is curiosity and the courage to keep learning.”
STEMCELL Technologies
STEMCELL Technologies, which develops cell culture media, cell separation systems, instruments and other reagents for use in life sciences research, is Canada’s largest biotechnology company.
“The next generation of scientists won’t just be confined to labs,” says Dr. Sharon Louis, STEMCELL’s Senior Vice President of Research and Development. “They will harness technology to augment their critical thinking to solve the real challenges of our world, which include curing diseases and protecting the planet.
“To thrive, scientists of the future will need not only analytical skills and the ability to apply artificial intelligence, but also strong people and communication skills for effective collaboration. Their career journeys will rarely be linear, so adaptability will also be essential, as will the curiosity and courage to keep learning.”