Derek Wilson
The Mass Spectrometry Enabled Science and Engineering (MS-ESE) program held their first Academic and Industry Workshops at York University earlier this month. The two-day workshop led by program manager and chemistry Professor Derek Wilson provided graduate students with an understanding of Mass Spectrometry (MS) oriented research in both academia and industry.
The Academic Workshop involved more than 60 students from York University, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and McMaster University. The students attended talks and panels delivered by some of Canada’s top researchers and professors working in the field of mass spectrometry. In the talks, professors provided “bird’s eye” overviews of the evolution of their research programs in tandem with their careers. The panel focused on practical aspects of academic career development and research excellence. The workshop also gave students the opportunity to network with their peers and build professional connections with the speakers in attendance.
“The MS-ESE academic and industrial research workshops provided a unique and exceptionally beneficial experience for graduate trainees from across Ontario, both inside and outside the program,” said Wilson. “The feedback we got was exceptionally positive and I’m already looking forward to next year, when the CREATE program is in full swing!”
Graduate students heard from leading researchers at the workshop
The industrial workshop provided more than 70 graduate students with insight on the world of mass spectrometry outside of academia through discussions and presentations highlighting an array of technical, intellectual and interpersonal skills required for industrial research. The workshop featured talks and panels from MS-ESE’s seven industrial partners: Sanofi, Sciex, Ionics, Maxxam, Smiths Detection, Fluidigm and Algorithme Pharma along with other companies such as Apotex and Waters.
The MS-ESE program is supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program. NSERC CREATE aims to improve the mentoring and training environment for the Canadian researchers of tomorrow in areas such as professional skills, such as communication and collaboration, as well as providing experience relevant to both academic and non-academic research environments. MS-ESE is delivered under the umbrella of the Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry (CRMS) at York University.
“Both workshops were a great success and will continue to be held annually through the MS-ESE program,” said Wilson.
For more information, visit the MS-ESE program website.