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Elena Groppa

i2I

University of British Columbia Biomedical Research Centre

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Faculty of Medicine

“The i2I program is perfect for people like me who are deeply involved in science, and who want to look for opportunities in the business world. A program like this opens your mind and teaches you that there is another world of possibilities outside of the lab.”

Dr. Elena Groppa always possessed a keen interest in how scientific innovations are freed from the lab and brought to market. When she completed her PhD, she explored graduate business programs to help her apply an entrepreneurial mindset to her work in vascular biology, cell and gene therapy, and regenerative medicine. Her search led her to the SFU Beedie Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology Commercialization, and the Invention to Innovation (i2I) program. As an i2I student, Elena gained business skills that bridge the gap between science-based solutions and the needs of the marketplace.

My experience at SFU Beedie

It was great to change my scientific mindset and mix it with the business side, which is a unique opportunity for a scientist. The small class format allows you to have in-depth interactions with your professors both in and outside of the classroom, and you are very involved in an interactive type of lecture.

During the course, you're required to work on an innovative idea, which allows you to put into practice all of the things that you have learned. The graduate certificate at SFU Beedie offers an opportunity to delve into a new world and translate science into viable business opportunities.

My Journey

I completed my PhD in vascular biology and my postdoc in the same field. As much as I like academia, I am always considering other options, including moving into the corporate sector. Scientists often think just about publication, but our ideas have potential in the world outside the lab. As biomedical scientists, we want to produce something that benefits society, and that can’t happen if we keep thinking just about publication.

The program gave me a greater awareness about what I want to do. Now more than ever, I am looking at science from a business perspective, and my goal is to go into business development in a startup, or big Pharma in business development.

Highlights

My project, a new drug to treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, was the winner in the Emergent Ventures category at the Venture Pitch Competition. When I began the program, I already had it in my head as something I wanted to explore. Now my innovation idea is part of a collaborative research initiative and a partnership between academia and a private company.

I am thankful to Dr. Elicia Maine, who created and is responsible for the program. She was so helpful before I entered into the program and after she was very supportive, as were all of the other professors. They not only taught us, but they also helped us to establish networking skills and encouraged us to join conferences or get involved in presentations to investors.

Where I am today

Elena is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Faculty of Medicine at The University of British Columbia Biomedical Research Centre.