Previous Meetings
Career Checkup and Transitions Workshop
Wednesday, Mar 8th, 2023 at 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Stanford EVGR Building B 144 Meeting Room
Are you feeling uncertain about your current career path and considering a change? If so, this upcoming AWIS mentoring workshop with Dr. Jessica Bockhorn could be just what you need. We will discuss the steps involved in conducting a career checkup, and look at tools that can help you make the right decision for you. This workshop will also provide an opportunity to hear from Dr. Bockhorn's own experiences and insights when it comes to deciding on a new career. Whether it's an entrance to the professional world, a mid-career change, or a complete switch of direction, you'll be able to gain a better understanding of the process and what to consider when making such an important choice.
Dr. Jessica Bockhorn obtained her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Chicago. Afterward, she spent three years as a postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford Cancer Institute. During the past six years, Jessica has worked in both large and small biotechnology companies, progressing to higher-level roles in regulatory affairs. In addition to her work in regulatory affairs, she is passionate about assisting others in finding the right career and learning how to make successful career transitions
Personal Branding Workshop
Wednesday, Jan 25th, 2023 at 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Stanford EVGR Building B 144 Meeting Room
Our first in-person event is coming back this year in 2023 after 2+ years of online events!
Please join us and hear from René Shimada Siegel, a passionate, informal speaker who loves to share stories that lift and empower young women on her stories and practical tips on personal branding - a topic that is seldom discussed among professionals and scientists but is sure to help you go a long way! Coming from an Asian cultural background and being an introvert person herself, René understands the struggle to speak up as a leader. It is not easy, yet she manages to reinvent herself every day, and builds a great career, a happy family, and be an adjunct professor at San Jose State University for 7 years.
About the speaker
René Shimada Siegel is a partner for Armanino, one of the most innovative and entrepreneurial firms in the nation and a Top 20 consulting firm. A true Silicon Valley girl, René spent a decade working in Silicon Valley tech firms then founded her own consulting company Connext to support Google, Cisco, LinkedIn, Salesforce, and other clients with expert marketing and communications consultants. In February 2021, Connext merged with Armanino to make a positive impact on even more colleagues in more industries. René’s superpowers include authentic storytelling, making magical connections, and empowering the entrepreneurial spirit in others. She advocates for a diverse, inclusive, multigenerational workforce. She currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Lucas College of Business at her alma mater, San Jose State University, where she was also a public relations adjunct professor for seven years. Rene is also a member of ASCEND, the largest Pan-Asian non-profit organization for business professionals in North America, and a lifetime member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Among her public speaking experiences, René has been a featured presenter at the Public Relations Society of America International Conference and Watermark Conference for Women. She’s also been a contributing writer for Forbes and Inc.com.
AWIS Stroll at Palo Alto Baylands
Sunday, Dec, 4th at 2:30 - 4:00 PM
Meet at entrance to Palo Alto Baylands at the east end of San Antonio Road - Parking on Terminal Blvd.
Enjoy an afternoon on SF Bay by taking a leisurely walk with the opportunity to network, perhaps meet your mentor in person, and look for the resident flock of white pelicans.
Here is a map of the Baylands where we will walk. It shows San Antonio Rd exit EAST of Hwy 101 makes a sharp right as it joins Terminal Blvd.
Networking and Career Workshop
Wednesday, Nov, 30th at 7 PM
Zoom Meeting (link to be sent upon registration)
Feeling stuck in developing professional connections and getting more job opportunities? In this upcoming AWIS mentoring workshop, with Dr. Lucia Mokres as our speaker, we will dive into tips and strategies to overcome awkwardness and collecting the effective information from people you don’t know, and to explore career opportunities which seem invisible.
About the speaker
Dr. Lucia Mokres is a Life Science Consultant based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She specializes in coaching early stage companies through Stakeholder Ecosystem Discovery, allowing them to gain traction and develop an investable technology and business model. She also loves rolling up her sleeves as a project manager to help companies at all stages meet urgent R&D, regulatory, and clinical project deadlines.
Introductory Meeting to AWIS-PA
and the Mentoring Program
Tuesday, Oct 18th, 2022 at 7 - 8:30pm PDT
Location: Zoom Meeting (link to be sent upon registration)
About the panelists
Kim Williams is a stanford-trained PhD cell/molecular biologist. Kim has diverse therapeutic expertise with twenty years’ experience in biotech. Kim currently is a director in the Discovery Medicine Business Unit, at Kodiak Sciences.
Jennifer Yinuo Cao is a molecular biologist and biochemist by training. After completing her postdoctoral studies at Stanford in 2018, Jen worked in several big and small companies (e.g., AbbVie, Forty Seven Inc and Gilead) developing drugs in the oncology space. Jen is currently leading the Discovery Department at Pheast Therapeutics. Jen has been an AWIS member since 2014.
Kristel Cahyadi Tjandra is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the School of Medicine at Stanford University. Her current research focuses on the development of rapid diagnostics for infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Aside from conducting experiments, she enjoys engaging in science communication, community outreach, and education.
RESILIENCE THROUGH TURBULENCE
Presentation and mini workshop by Vinutha Mohan, MBA
These are strange times of uncertainty, anxiety and many unknowns. These are also times of self-reflection, family connection, creativity and innovations. Therefore, our well-being depends on where we direct our attention towards because “Energy flows where attention goes”. In this mini workshop, come learn many practical strategies and tools that will help you enhance your well-being, productivity and resilience.
Vinutha Mohan is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, specializing in Attachment Trauma with a Private Practice in Palo Alto and Los Gatos. She is also a Certified EMDR specialist and an EMDR Consultant in training.
Until recently, she worked at the Stanford Faculty Staff Help Center as a Staff Counselor. Vinutha offers individual counseling as well as runs Groups and occasionally is a Guest Teacher at JFK/National University. Prior to becoming a therapist, Vinutha was a senior Corporate Executive in Finance.
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Ace Your Industry Interviews
Presentation and mini-workshop by Debra Rosenfeld, MA, LMFT
Want to ace your interviews in the tech, biotech/pharmaceutical, or other industries outside academia?
This hands-on workshop will teach you what you need to know to rock your industry job interviews! You’ll learn how to prepare for an interview, understand interviewing strategy, and respond to behavioral questions. You’ll learn what employers look for and how to target your answers. Most important, you’ll get to practice interviewing and leave feeling confident about your skills!
Debra Rosenfeld, MA, LMFT
Assistant Director, Counseling and Resources, BioSci Careers Stanford Biosciences
Debra Rosenfeld's slides and handouts (including Industry Interview): Here
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Strategic Communication
Presentation and mini-workshop by Matt Abrahams
Lecturer at Stanford GSB. Co-Founder and Principal at Bold Echo Communications Solutions.
Matt Abrahams is a passionate, collaborative and innovative educator and coach. He has published research articles on cognitive planning, persuasion, and interpersonal communication. Communication Resources: Here and Here (NoFreakingSpeaking.com)
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Exploring different career paths - panel event
Join us for an exciting discussion about different career paths. Learn about the critical factors that will best prepare you for successful careers in academia and beyond academia.
Panelists include:
Elizabeth Mormino, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Stanford University.
Christine Moussion, PhD, Scientist and Group Leader, Genentech.
Sunny Jansen, PhD, Regulatory Affairs, Verily.
Anna Simonin, PhD, Senior Editor, PLOS ONE.
Kristin Abaonza, PharmD, Drug Investigator and Regulatory Officer, FDA.
Peter Cowan, PhD, Director of Conservation Science, Peninsula Open Space Trust.
Resources from Previous Meetings
Taking Charge of Personal Development
National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) Core Competencies
LinkedIn Profile Tips
Using LinkedIn to Harness the Power of Networking
Networking Tips
Networking Tips by Aparna Desai