Events

Pre-registration for this event is closed. Walk-in registrations will be accepted onsite. Payment is due at the registration desk. If you have any questions, please contact the office at Office@ISPEBoston.org. 

WHEN: Thursday, June 13, 2024 | 4:00 – 6:30 PM

WHERE: 100 Chestnut Street, Somerville, MA 02143- 1st Floor Café

This brand new building isn't featured on Google Maps yet. View the new building here: https://www.100chestnutstreet.com/

100 Chestnut Street is easily accessible by MBTA Green Line Extension- East Somerville & Somerville Community Path. Complimentary public garage parking & onsite street parking within 100 Chestnut.

PROGRAM DETAILS: 
Do you find yourself thinking most peoples’ careers are linear and yours is a windy road? Are you wanting to embrace other areas of interest but not sure how to change your path? Join a panel of life science professionals sharing different perspectives of navigating the planned & serendipitous trajectories-- and how they ended up in the positions they are in! 

AGENDA:
4:00-4:30 Arrival and Tour/ Networking
4:30-5:30 Panel 
5:30-6:00 Networking

REGISTRATION FEES:
Members: $30
Non-Members: $50
Emerging Leaders Members: $20
Student Members: FREE  

PANELIST:
Michele Picard, Sr. Director, Facilities and Laboratory Operations at Kymera Therapeutics
Divya Krishnamurthy, Sr. Director Workplace Operations at Lyndra Therapeutics
Gianna Ferron, New England Biopharma Sales Executive at 10x Genomics
Moderator: Jennifer Reilly, President at Safety Partners

PANELIST BIOGRAPHIES:

Michele Picard, Kymera Therapeutics
As Sr. Director of Facilities and Lab Operations Michele oversees daily internal operations at Kymera including capital projects, facilities, laboratory, and operations.

During her 30 years in research both at the bench and in leadership positions she has managed laboratory buildouts, relocations and supervised laboratory and vivarium operations in addition to her research responsibilities. Her experience building two start-up companies and establishing operational programs and policies were the catalyst for her transition into operational roles.

Michele began her career at Boston University Medical Center and Avant Immunotherapeutics studying infectious diseases and Immunology. She was a founding scientist at Momenta Pharmaceuticals and later at Genocea Biosciences where began the transition to a fully operational role.

Michele holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Clark University and a Master of Science degree in Public Policy from the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

Divya Krishnamurthy, Lyndra Therapeutics
Divya Krishnamurthy is currently Senior Director, Workplace Operations and Safety at Lyndra Therapeutics where she oversees all aspects of health and safety, GMP and n-GMP Facilities Operations, and DEA controlled substances compliance across all Lyndra sites.

Divya obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University and began her career in academia as Research Assistant Professor at the University of Utah and the Harvard School of Public Health. She then made a transition to a career in EHS in roles with increasing responsibility and leadership, most recently as Director Global EHS at Ultragenyx, where she seamlessly integrated best practices, optimized EHS operations, and maintained the highest standards of safety and efficiency across all Ultragenyx sites. Before Ultragenyx, Divya was at Alkermes where she led the development and management of EHS programs ranging from pilot, kilo lab and large-scale chemistry and biology.  Prior to that she was a safety consultant at Safety Partners.

Leveraging over 20 years of diverse experience across biotech and pharma, as both a scientist and seasoned environmental health and safety (EHS) leader, Divya is passionate about creating and sustaining fully integrated, fit- for-purpose programs that keep people safe and healthy with a positive impact to our environment, while ensuring efficient operations.

Gianna Ferron, 10x Genomics
Gianna received her B.A. in Biology from Boston University in 2020 with a hands-on focus in neuroscience. After graduating, she joined a small biotech company as an associate scientist and moved into a scientist role. Gianna then took a project management focus to work directly with many pharmaceutical companies, catalyzing her transition to a business development position within the same company. She began an evening MBA program and transferred to a biotech and pharmaceutical sales executive role at 10x Genomics shortly before receiving her master’s degree at the end of 2023. In a few short years, Gianna has built both an expansive professional network and deep foundational knowledge across both science and business.

Moderator: Jennifer Reilly, Safety Partners
As President and Chief Operating Officer, Jennifer manages the daily operations of the company, including client service, service delivery, recruiting, sales, Quality, Research and Training and daily business operations. Leveraging over 25 years of experience in health and safety and lab operations, Jennifer has developed, managed, and implemented client programs specializing in radiation, chemical, and biological safety while taking on increasing operational responsibilities at Safety Partners.

Prior to joining Safety Partners in 2007, Jennifer spent five years at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA, where she served as Senior Laboratory & Safety Manager for the laboratory facility.  She developed and maintained its environmental health and safety program as well as managed the animal care facility.  Prior to Alnylam, Jennifer held research positions at Biogen, Inc., Curis, Inc. (formerly Ontogeny, Inc.), and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Jennifer received a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Biology from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Saint Anselm College.