The Student Biotech Network

The Student Biotech Network (SBN) represents the interests of over 1100 student members from a diverse range of disciplines related to biotechnology and now branches to all major universities throughout British Columbia.  Since its inception in 2001, the network has provided an autonomous forum for students to discuss and explore interests and research opportunities in academia and the biotech and pharmaceuticals industry. 

Consistent with BC Biotech's strategic goal of developing and supporting our human capital, the Student Biotech Network works closely with us and contributes to the growth and development of the local biotech community by serving as a platform for students to explore biotechnology career opportunities.  They achieve this through their many initiatives which include organizing career fairs, networking events, mentoring sessions and lecture series on various issues related to biotechnology.   To view a list of the current initiatives and events being held by SBN, please click here. 

The network is comprised of six Board of Directors, which include representatives from industry and student members, and an Executive Team of fifteen students.  This team has built the "go-to" organization for all students interested in biotech and bridges the gap between academia and the corporate world.

In recent months, SBN has appointed a new President, Ivan Waissbluth to lead the organization. Ivan Waissbluth, who is a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia has been a member of SBN since 2003 and has previously acted as Corporate and Industry Chair.  He has spearheaded SBN's first annual 'Building Biotech' symposium and is actively involved in the local biotechnology community.  BC Biotech welcomes Ivan to his new role at SBN and looks forward to working closely with him on future initiatives. 


To learn more about the Student Biotech Network, please visit http://www.sbn.ubc.ca

     Message from the President of SBN:

I am honoured and excited to be working with such a talented executive team that shares the vision of making the Student Biotechnology Network an integral part of BC’s biotechnology community. SBN aims to bridge the information gap between academia and industry by becoming the primary network with which students can explore interests and opportunities in academia, the biotechnology sector and the pharmaceutical industry. Through various initiatives, SBN serves to create highly informed, industry-ready students; many of whom will be tomorrow’s biotech industry leaders.

We will continue to build on SBN’s reputation of organizing events and lecture series of the highest quality and look to partner with organizations to carry forward new initiatives that will benefit our more than one thousand SBN members.

This is an exciting year for SBN as we expand our initiatives to include students from every major university in British Columbia. This will be the first step towards becoming a true provincial network that will function to promote education, collaboration, partnership and new ventures.

Given the strong support from our sponsors combined with the highly capable and motivated SBN executive team, SBN is clearly poised for an incredible year.


Connect, Educate & Inspire.

Ivan Waissbluth
President, Student Biotechnology Network