Newly minted BioTalent kicks off its first event to groom and prepare undergraduates for the working world
BY FARAH NADZRI & FATIN ANAHAR
BIOTALENT MALAYSIA (BTM) hosted its first event – a talk on biobusiness for students of the Monash University Malaysia.
The newly minted social enterprise aims to connect graduating students with potential employers as well as to prepare them to face the real working world especially in the biotechnology landscape.
[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]In its trailblazing event “#BiobusinessTalk” BTM invited the Vice President of Research & Development of Verdezyne Inc, Dr Tom Beardslee, to share his thoughts on the nature of working in the bio-industry sector.
BioTalent Malaysia Chairman, Dato’ Dr Mohd Nazlee Kamal moderated the event.
“The collaboration between BioTalent Malaysia and institutions like the School of Sciences, Monash University, in bringing programmes like #BioBusinessTalk, we hope will help the biobased industry to be well understood by all the stakeholders including students in the field,” Nazlee told The Petri Dish.
Beardslee introduced Verdezyne as a synthetic biology company in California which has recently commenced the construction of its Verdepalm plant facility at the Bio-XCell premier biotechnology and ecosystem park in Nusajaya, Iskandar, Johor.
He said the upcoming facility will produce biobased long chain diacids, including dodecanediodic acid, from byproducts obtained from the palm oil processing industries.
Beardslee keenly shared on his work with Verdezyne Inc and career opportunities in the bioindustry.
He said his research team is working on producing biobased long chain diacids via fermentation of Verdezyne’s proprietary yeast, which has been engineered to be used for non-food based products with high value chemicals.
According to him, biobased businesses have a “sustainable future” where there are plenty of growth opportunities in the field.
“Through this technology, we can produce chemicals that can be used in everyday consumer products,” he said.
He said these products are sustainable, are cheaper and are more environmental-friendly as they emit less carbon compared to petroleum-based alternatives.
He said said the VerdePalm plant only requires 65 employees.
Among the professionals expected to work at the facility are process operators as well as managers specialised in chemical engineering or biology and higher management staff.
A video was also screened during the event showing the progress of the plant under construction. It is expected to be completed in 12-18 months.
According to Beardslee, apart from technical knowledge, hands-on experience is very important, for those keen to work and specialise in the biobased industry.
He highlighted the importance of participating in internship programmes in the relevant industries in order to get a head start in their area of choice.
“Be in touch and network with people in the industry,” he told the students.
The audience at the event found the talk to be enlightening and inspiring, as it gave them an idea of what it entails to be a bioindustry professional.
Biotechnology student, Tee Hoong Keat, said he is keen to pursues a career in the bio-based industry and has gained first-hand insight of what to expect working in such industries.
“The talk was an eye-opener for me, and it lent focus on the kind of realistic options that I could pursue,” he said.
Kasturi Rajandran, who is doing a double degree in Biotechnology and Medical Bioscience said: “I gained an idea on how a start-up business works and how sustainable chemical production could potentially be the ‘frontline’ in biotechnology.
Another student Chin Liying Nikki who is undertaking a degree in Tropical Environmental Biology said she was motivated and felt enriched with knowledge and has also gained valuable insight on the potential of sustainable biotechnology.
“We are very happy with the response from our first edition of #BioBusinessTalk@Monash University with Dr Tom Beardslee. We wanted to have something different and more engaging with the students,” said Nazlee.
“The School of Science at Monash University Malaysia has a strong commitment to engaging industry, government, and communities, to deliver solutions to Malaysia and the region,” said Deputy Head of School of Science, Dr Kumaran Narayanan.
“#BioBusinessTalk@Monash University facilitates this goal by providing a platform for leaders from the industry, students, and researchers to engage and collaborate in a very casual setting,” he added.
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