A Message from the SBN Director, Corporate Relations

Students, mentors, and sponsors - greetings! As we embark on the second decade of the SBN’s existence, there is much work to be done to ensure the continued growth of this great non-profit organization. The upcoming 2011-2012 season is a very exciting time for the Network. A talented new team of SBN Execs will be showing off their passion for biotechnology by planning more top-notch events, the kind that keeps students coming back year after year. Cliché  or not, I have to say that we wouldn’t be able to pull off these first-rate networking and career-building events without the continued support we receive from our sponsors. We really couldn’t.  I urge you to take a moment to find out more about our sponsorship program and our individual sponsors here. By clicking on the logos, you can find out more about what each supporting company/organization does.

“Inspire. Educate. Connect” has been the motto we stand by, as we continue to develop a network for the students, run by the students. I myself am proud to say that the SBN has enriched my life in ways that I never could have predicted. From my early beginnings of attending the odd SBN event, to becoming an Event Liaison to plan events as part of the SBN Executive Team, my relationship with the SBN has been a long and wonderful journey over the last 5 years. Funny enough, as I write this message, I am but a few clicks on the mouse away from no longer technically being a student. You see, last week I defended my PhD thesis, and after a few last administrative formalities, I will officially be finished with my program. While many people in my shoes would take this transition period to maybe throw a little party and wave goodbye to being part of a “student group” like SBN, I see this next phase of my life as being a tremendous opportunity to continue contributing to the organization that has inspired my career direction like no other. It was the environment provided by the SBN that nurtured my entrepreneurial spirit, culminating in me starting a company this past February. I will be writing more about my business endeavours in the months to come, but suffice it to say, as I develop fundraising skills in raising money for my new venture, I will also put these abilities to the test in generating money for SBN initiatives.

I take this opportunity to let you know how much I look forward to working with you in helping the SBN have its most successful year yet.

                                                                                                Andrew R. Tait _{BSc, MSc, PhD}