THE 2011 Novartis Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) will gather 60 students from top universities around the world on Aug. 29-31, at the Novartis international headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.
Karen Katrina Manalastas, a BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology summa cum laude graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman, will represent the country in the international BioCamp.
Her selection was based on academic excellence and professional focus. Novartis shoulders all travel and accommodation expenses of the selected student.
A pioneering biotechnology seminar, BioCamp is organized by research-based Novartis for entrepreneurial and postgraduate students in the natural sciences who are interested in pursuing a career in biotechnology.
Participants get an opportunity to interact with key Novartis scientists who lead the company’s unique approach to drug discovery.
They acquire an insider’s perspective on the challenges and opportunities in biotechnology today through workshops conducted by biotech leaders from around the world. The workshops are designed to give participants the tools they need to start a biotech company.
Day One of the international BioCamp will focus on biotechnology and global trends, Day Two on developing a biotechnology product, and Day Three on career opportunities in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
BioCamp delegates are selected through local BioCamps organized by Novartis in the 140 countries where the company operates.
According to Thomas Weigold, country president of Novartis Healthcare Philippines, the company conducts annual local BioCamps to develop local scientists and, ultimately, improve the quality of Philippine healthcare.
Manalastas was chosen in July from among the graduate and postgraduate students in the natural sciences who vied for the chance to represent the Philippines in the prestigious BioCamp.
Last year, Carlo Castillo, who is currently taking up Master of Science in Molecular Medicine at St. Luke’s College of Medicine, and Karen Rosal, who completed her Master in Molecular Biology at Okayama University in Japan, represented the Philippines.
Other representatives of the Philippines in the international BioCamp were Dennis Bela-Ong and Frances Vega (2006), Michael Bahrami Hessari and Carla Bianca Victorio (2007), Jun Ryan Orbina and Christina Leyson (2008) and Janill Magano and Kellsye Fabian (2009).
As in previous years, the 2011 local biotech workshop featured some of the country’s leading experts in biotechnology and other well-known personalities like Sen. Edgardo Angara, Philippine Council of Health Research and Development executive director Jaime Montoya, National Scientist Ernesto Domingo, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology deputy director Cynthia Saloma, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines deputy director general Andrew Michael Ong, Hybridigm Consulting Inc. founder and CEO Maoi Arroyo and Technology Licensing Office director Rey Garcia.
Novartis works with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in organizing the local BioCamp, as well as IP Philippines and Hybridigm Consulting.
Visit www.novartis.com.ph.