Welcome to �the ITCS Information Night!
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Industry Team �Case Study
2025 Information Night
Life Sciences Career Development Syndicate
Welcome! Let’s get started with some housekeeping:
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THE PROBLEM
A need for experiential learning programs
Agenda
Advisor Representative Panel
SECTOR INTRODUCTIONS
THE PROGRAM
Program applications and expectations
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Q&A Period
THE PROBLEM
A need for experiential learning programs
Agenda
Advisor Representative Panel
SECTOR INTRODUCTIONS
THE PROGRAM
Program applications and expectations
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Q&A Period
A large percentage of life science graduate Trainees are seeking employment outside academia
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Employment outside of academia
Employment in academia
*10,000 PhD's project (2022)
60%
40%
A survey of U of T PhD graduates from 2015-2021 indicated that
Graduate students may lack industry experience sought out by employers
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What employers look for
Project management skills
Industry knowledge and insights
Examples that demonstrate you can contribute to their success
Relevant professional experience
Graduate student transferable skills
Critical thinking
Data analytics
Verbal and written communication
Teamwork and leadership
Problem-solving
*BioTalent Canada: Survey of 573 bio-medical employers (here)
How will you stand out?
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THE PROBLEM
A need for experiential learning programs
Agenda
Advisor Representative Panel
SECTOR INTRODUCTIONS
THE PROGRAM
Program applications and expectations
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Q&A Period
Industry Team Case Study (ITCS)
To provide an opportunity to simulate working in industry, which will enable the development of industry-relevant professional skills and marketable experiences
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OUR MISSION
Meet the ITCS Executive Team
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Advisory board members
Meagan Arbeau
ITCS Associate 2025-2026
Michelle Wang
ITCS Associate 2025-2026
Sara Pour
ITCS Associate 2025-2026
Mei Yu
ITCS Co-lead 2025-2026
Christopher Casciaro
ITCS Co-lead 2025-2026
Veda Maharajh
Pharma Leader Commercial Marketing/Sales
Kinza Maxood
Director, Science & Regulatory
ITCS Trainee teams are paired with an industry Advisor to investigate a challenge
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Trainee
Team
1. As a team, identify a business or policy challenge relevant to the Advisor’s industry
2. Investigate a challenge by
conducting analyses and/or informational interview
3. Present findings and key takeaways at advisor meetings & final showcase
4. Dedicate 3-5 hours/week
TRAINEES ARE
EXPECTED TO:
Industry
Advisor
Giving feedback on project scope, feasibility and relevance to industry
Guiding project development
Directing Trainees to relevant resources
ADVISORS PROVIDE
SUPPORT BY:
You!
Industry Sectors: Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Market Access, Commercialization Operations and Marketing or Early Phase Development
ITCS program structure: Pipeline Projects
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Trainee
Team
Industry
Advisor
You!
Devise a Medical Affairs project with your advisor
Team 1 A Team 2 A Team 3 A Team 4 A
Medical Affairs Regulatory Affairs Market Access Commercialization Operations
and Marketing
Project “A”
Gather and share insights with the rest of the teams in your pipeline
Present your project at the ITCS Showcase with the rest of your pipeline
Team 1 A: Medical Affairs
ITCS Benefits Trainees
ITCS - a stepping stone to industry familiarity
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Build relationships with industry professionals and future industry peers
Investigate potential career paths and explore personal fit and preference
Acquire specialized knowledge and develop understanding of industry sector
Simulate and explore industry practices, work flows and structures
ITCS Benefits Trainees
ITCS - Where are they now?
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Employment Outcomes of Life Science Industry Job Simulation Program Alumni at the University of Toronto—Where are They Now? David Sealey, Anne Meyer-Miner, Katelyn Kozma 2021
Main Conclusions:
ITCS application process
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December 4th | December 8th | December 23rd | January 4th | ______ | January 26th | January 29th |
Information Session | Applications Open | Applications Close | Program Acceptance Teams Assignment Advisor Matching | Launch Event | ||
Eligibility: Current U of T graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Graduate alums are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to current Trainees
Application:
You are here!
Key ITCS Events
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Month
January
February
March
April
May
LAUNCH EVENT
Meet your Advisors
Jan 29th
PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE
Meet teammates
Create project pipeline
Create team charter
Early Jan
INDUSTRY SEMINARS
‘Industry 101’ seminars on each sector
ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS
Formal monthly progress meetings
with sector Advisor panel
March 5th
March 26th
April 15th
SHOWCASE EVENT
Present final project
Network with participants and industry experts
May 14th
MENTORSHIP MEETING 1
Meet 1-1 with your Advisor
Week of
Jan 26th
MENTORSHIP MEETING 2
Meet 1-1 with your Advisor
Week of
May 18th
Check-ins with the ITCS Exec Team
ITCS application process
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December 4th | December 8th | December 23rd | January 4th | -------- | January 24th | January 25th |
Information Session | Applications Open | Applications Close | Program Acceptance Teams Assignment Advisor Matching | Launch Event | ||
You are here!
Applying to ITCS
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Google Form
Cover letter (1-page)
Application Released:
December 8th
(Email, Website)
Resume (1-page)
All are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to current U of T graduate students and postdocs
THE PROBLEM
A need for experiential learning programs
Agenda
Advisor Representative Panel
SECTOR INTRODUCTIONS
THE PROGRAM
Program applications and expectations
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Q&A Period
ITCS Advisors
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Veda Maharajh
Pharma Leader Commercial Marketing/Sales
Kinza Maxood
Director, Science & Regulatory
Aaron De Jong
Senior Market Access Manager
Heather VanSeggelen
Global Medical Affairs Leader
Helpful resources
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LSCDS - ITCS Event Page
Information Night Materials
- Summary of 24 past projects
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Application Opens: December 8th (10:00 AM EST)
Email, Website
Application Deadline: December 23rd (11:59 PM EST)
Contact us at casestudy@lscds.org for any questions!
Lscds.org
LinkedIn.com/company/lscds
Instagram.com/lscdsuoft
twitter.com/lscdsuoft
Thank you to our advisors!
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QUESTIONS?
Application Form:
END
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