SBME PROPELS

SBME Propels

Launched in partnership with e@UBC in 2021, SBME Propels is an extracurricular series of workshops, seminars and panels designed to build fluency for trainees, staff and faculty in partnerships, translation, leadership, pedagogy and to prepare graduates for careers across the BME space. Propels has been designed to help you learn the skills you need to translate innovations, build your career, become an effective leader and create lasting partnerships.

Propels Streams

Innovation & Partnerships

Learn the processes behind building and maintaining research partnerships, and master the ins and outs of knowledge translation and commercialization. Give your innovation the support it needs to make an impact.

How do you know if your research is a drug target? | Tuesday, October 17 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Discover the key criteria and considerations for identifying potential drug targets within your research. Explore the factors that make a molecule or biological pathway a viable candidate for drug development. Learn how to evaluate the feasibility, specificity, and therapeutic potential of your research findings, and gain insights into the essential steps for translating your discoveries into innovative medical interventions.

Commercial Evaluation of Technologies | Wednesday, November 29 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Evaluating research innovations for commercial potential.

Getting Your Ideas into Practice | Tuesday, February 13 | 12:00 pm – 1:00
Technology transfer, company creation, knowledge exchange; presented by a panel of researchers who have taken each path

Company Creation 101 | Tuesday, March 12 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Identifying the problem you seek to address; competitive analysis and target market considerations; pitching your compelling story.

BME Career Pathing & Practical Skills for Trainees

Discover how to build a fulfilling career in the BME field and the essential skills required to do it.

Career Paths in MedTech | Tuesday, October 3 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Explore the various career paths available to biomedical engineering graduates within the medical technology sector.

Career Paths in AI | Wednesday, November 8 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Explore the various career paths available to biomedical engineering graduates within AI & Medicine.

Navigating the Biomedical Job Market: Understanding industry demands and how to position oneself for success | Tuesday, November 21 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Marketing yourself effectively as a biomedical engineer; creating a strong application: CV and cover letter basics; interview prep and best practices.

Career Paths in Biotech | Tuesday, November 28 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Explore the various career paths available to biomedical engineering graduates within the Biotech industry.

Alternative Careers in Biomedical Engineering | Date TBD | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

From Lab to Industry: Navigating the Transition | Tuesday, March 19 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Explore strategies for transitioning academia to a successful career in industry, and hear from SBME alumni who’ve made the transition.

Professional Skills

Develop new professional skills to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Effective Communication for Biomedical Engineers | Tuesday, October 10 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Enhance your communication skills by adapting and crafting your message for different audiences. Learn active listening, concise messaging, and effective discussion techniques for successful collaborations in academia and industry.

Project Management Essentials | Wednesday, November 22 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Master key project management principles for successful execution of biomedical engineering projects. Develop skills in planning, resource allocation, risk assessment, and problem-solving to ensure project success.

Mindfulness for Biomedical Engineers | Thursday, February 15 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Learn stress management and mindfulness techniques for enhanced cognitive function and resilience. Join life sciences, yoga and mindfulness expert Søs Skovsø for this two-part series.

Collaborative Engineering: Team Dynamics in Industry | Tuesday, March 5 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Explore teamwork dynamics in industry settings. Learn communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making strategies for productive cross-functional collaborations.

Leadership and Pedagogy

Real leadership is a skill set that you must learn and practice. Discover how to effectively create, lead and grow a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence. Science is a human endeavor, and great leaders learn to put their people first.

Leading Teams: Principles of Effective Leadership | Wednesday, November 1 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
The panel aims to provide attendees with insights into the principles of effective leadership from diverse perspectives within the scientific community. It will serve as a platform for emerging researchers, established scientists, and STEMCELL leadership to share their experiences, challenges, and strategies in leading teams. The discussion will cover topics such as personal leadership journeys, principles of effective leadership, mentorship, adaptability, ethical leadership, and the unique challenges and opportunities of leading scientific teams. There will also be a dedicated Q&A session for attendees to engage with the panelists.

Mentorship Matters: Unlocking Potential | Friday, November 3 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Explore the power of mentorship in this dynamic workshop and panel discussion. Join mentors and mentees from SBME’s Career Accelerator program, a collaborative initiative with STEMCELL Technologies and Advice to a Scientist, as they share their experiences and insights.
Discover how mentorship can shape your career, empower you to explore diverse pathways, and develop essential skills.

Creating a Culture of Innovation | Tuesday, March 26 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Learn how to foster a culture of innovation within your team or organization. Explore strategies for promoting creativity, embracing risk-taking, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. Understand the role of leadership in creating an environment where novel ideas can thrive, leading to the development of groundbreaking solutions and advancements in the field of biomedical engineering.