BioBash 2020 Offers Career Opportunities for Local Scientists
On February 3, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center hosted BioBash, a career networking and job fair event for life scientists. More than 150 scientists at all levels in their fields came together to get to know each other and learn about the many career opportunities in life sciences.
The event included a panel discussion featuring a diverse group of industry professionals who offered their insights and advice for the scientists on how to navigate their career journeys. Following the panel, the attendees had the opportunity to network with others in their field and shop career offerings. The job fair consisted of 14 organizations presenting a variety of employment opportunities, mostly in the St. Louis life science community. “I didn’t know anything about these companies in the St. Louis area,” said Paige Pearson, a molecular biologist at Bayer Crop Science. “I feel like a lot of young people coming out of college or my age should know about this event.”
Kiona Elliott and Ryan DelPercio, co-chairs of Committee for Scientific Training and Mentoring and lead organizers of BioBash, network with a fellow attendee at the career networking and job fair event held at the Danforth Center each year.
Another attendee, Edgar Anaya, a senior research tech at Washington University, appreciated the opportunity to interact with his fellow scientists. Originally from El Paso, Edgar describes himself as an outsider, but said that seeing people at the event from all walks of life helped give him the confidence to speak his mind. “I identify myself as latinoamericano,” he said. “So being able to see other people or see more diversity kind of gives me a little bit more comfort to open up and talk more about my ideas.”
“According to feedback I received throughout the event, from both attendees and vendors, BioBash 2020 was a success,” said Ryan DelPercio, Co-Chair of Committee for Scientific Training and Mentoring and lead organizer BioBash. “The event would not have been as successful without Director of Innovation Claire Kinlaw’s superb moderation of the panel discussion and support from many Danforth Center staff.”
A BioBash attendee visits a booth at the job fair. The annual event provides opportunities for scientists of all ages to network with their peers and make important connections with representatives of life science organizations, most of which are established in the St. Louis region. The event opens doors for job seekers and helps to burnish the region’s reputation as a center for agtech and biotech.
Through events like BioBash, the Danforth Center helps attract and retain new talent in the St. Louis community and helps further establish the region’s reputation as a center for agtech and biotech. By bringing passionate people together and offering them support, connections, and opportunities, BioBash and the Danforth Center are helping to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Danforth Center Director of Innovation Claire Kinlaw (far right) moderates the BioBash discussion panel featuring a diverse group of industry professionals. The hour-long discussion focused on how to best navigate one’s scientific career journey, with the panel offering their advice and insights. By offering career guidance to young scientists, along with opportunities and connections, BioBash and the Danforth Center are helping to inspire the scientific leaders of tomorrow.