Summit Explores Building Pathways to Biotech Careers
IPSWICH, MA - BioConnects New England (BCNE), in partnership with New England Biolabs® (NEB®) and the Office of State Representative Kristin Kassner, recently hosted a “North Shore Community Leadership Summit,” focused around expanding biotechnology and associated businesses opportunities and building pathways into biotech careers throughout the North Shore region of Massachusetts.
The June 8th event, held at New England Biolabs in Ipswich, brought together more than 75 community leaders, local officials, educators and industry partners from across the North Shore for a focused conversation on how the region can identify, create, and expand on real pathways into biotech careers.
“A key part of planning for our future is bringing people together to learn from one another, to see what’s possible, to understand where our work intersects, and to identify opportunities to enrich, protect, and strengthen our communities and our region,” stated Representative Kristin Kassner (D-Hamilton) in her opening remarks. “This is the work that sparks new ideas, new collaborations, and new opportunities.”
Representative Kassner then introduced Zenobia Moochhala, Undersecretary of Business Strategies at the Executive Office of Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who thanked the leaders of private sector organizations, academic institutions, and government officials for coming together to engage in this discussion, and stated that the Commonwealth’s leadership position globally in biotech is critical and can be used to catalyze local ecosystems.
In his introductory comments, Jared Auclair, Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University and Co-Lead of BioConnects New England, stated, “Most people don’t know how to enter the life sciences industry, and that’s a problem. We want to make these careers accessible to everyone.” He discussed how people often tend to stay in their individual lanes and emphasized the importance of “recognizing the extraordinary work that is happening around us. Only through doing so can we find new paths and discoveries in collaboration.
“Entrepreneurship, workforce development – that’s all here, thriving on the North Shore,” he added. “This is just the beginning of the conversation, but the momentum continues.”
Salvatore Russello, CEO of New England Biolabs, which was founded in 1974, welcomed the group to the NEB campus in Ipswich. “The North Shore is home to dozens of industries, and unbeknownst to many, harbors a strong biotechnology community,” he said.
The summit also featured a panel discussion that explored why the North Shore is poised for growth, how the region can build the workforce and training systems it needs, how communities can prepare, and the range of opportunities ahead. The panel included Vidhartha Deonarain, Director of Economic Development & Partnerships at Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC); John Doyle, Ph.D., Senior Director of the Academy at Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (located in Gloucester, Mass.); Chris Ilsley, President & CEO of Innoventure Labs (headquartered in Beverly, Mass.); and Russello.
Representative Kassner moderated the discussion and began by stating, “There is no one-size-fits-all model — but there is a right fit for the right locations. And at the center of it all is science, discovery, and the people who make it possible.” She engaged the audience by noting that “every sector represented in the panel and the audience has a role to play in shaping the future success of our region.”
“Not all communities on the North Shore are bio-ready,” said Deonarain, stressing the importance of aligning areas like zoning, permitting, and water treatment. “But MLSC can help communities that are interested in attracting these kinds of organizations become better prepared.”
Doyle pointed out that “Massachusetts and the North Shore are uniquely positioned to align workforce development, higher education, and industry partners in creating an articulated pathway that removes barriers and provides underserved young adults with a seamless transition into college and career opportunities.”
Ilsley added that while the North Shore has many resources to expand biotech in the region, “many of the resources we need already exist across our region, but too often they remain siloed. Our opportunity is to remove those barriers and better connect organizations focused on innovation, education, workforce development, economic development, and community growth so we can fully capitalize on this moment.”
“It’s all here, and that’s the point,” concluded Representative Kassner. “We know some communities are ready, but others haven’t had those conversations yet. We want to ensure that any biotech development on the North Shore continues to be thoughtful, transparent, and aligned with the town’s goals, and having more of these conversations, and pursuing more of these collaborations, will make that possible.”
Also joining the summit were State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joan Lovely, State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, and State Representative Hannah Bowen.
“I have seen firsthand how transformative good jobs in growing industries can be for our cities and towns, and the North Shore is ready for this moment,” said Senator Lovely. “Our job now is to make sure the pathways into these careers are just as strong as the industry itself, because workforce development is not just an economic priority – it is an equity priority. I will continue to advocate in the Senate to make sure our communities have the training, the tools, and the opportunities they need to fully participate in this growth.”
“The North Shore already has a tremendous presence in the life sciences sector, and an increasing capacity to capture even more potential economic benefits from this economic engine,” said Senator Tarr. “We can maximize that opportunity by continuing to leverage partnerships, collaboration, and synergy by connecting our region's existing businesses and institutions, and working together to recruit even more resources to the area."
“My biggest takeaway from this discussion was how well-positioned the North Shore already is to create and benefit from the next wave of innovation,” added Representative Bowen. “The life sciences companies already here - and news ones that we can generate, attract, and support - are grounded in our local values: sustainability, creativity, good jobs and fulfilling career paths for people from all backgrounds."
The North Shore Community Leadership Summit builds on the partnership announced earlier this year between Representative Kassner and BioConnects New England, focused on exploring ways to encourage increased life sciences development within the North Shore of Massachusetts.
