RUTHERFORD, NJ – FEBRUARY 2024 –  On February 9, 2024, the North Jersey Industry Partnerships under the auspices of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, held a panel discussion at the Liberty Science Center about the many career pathways available in the Life Sciences Industry. High School and College students from the surrounding area were invited and enthusiastically participated in the evening’s Q&A component.

Speaking on the panel, representing Felician University, was Dr. Samira Ziaei, Associate Professor of Biology. Dr. Ziaei discussed her academic and personal journey, and her Biomedical cancer research, specifically her latest work in prostate cancer targeting mitochondria. Dr Ziaei also discussed Felician University STEM programs. Participating in the event was, in Dr. Ziaei’s words, “a fulfilling opportunity for me. As an immigrant, as a woman in science who has faced many of my own battles, this was a great moment of success, a great moment of joy. I look forward to having some of these students in my class one day.”

The event’s panelists were drawn from Higher Education, Vocational Public High Schools, STEM programs, and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Several industry leaders spoke on the panel, including representatives from giants in the Life Sciences field – Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson&Johnson, ThermoFisher Scientific, and CRODA. 

Joining Dr. Ziaei at a table showcasing Felician University programs were Sister Honorata Grzeszczuk, PhD, Acting Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, and Professor of Physics, Ms. Eliza Leszczynski, EdD, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, and Ms. Kelsey Dennehy, Director of Undergraduate Admissions.

Dr. Ziaei’s participation in the event has opened the door for Felician University to partner with the NJ Department of Labor to host future events, including a Life Sciences Job Fair for Veterans and their families to be held on the Rutherford campus on April 10, 2024.

For more information about Dr. Ziaei and Felician University’s STEM programs, visit https://felician.edu/ or contact Acting Dean, Sr. Honorata Grzeszczuk, PhD, at grzeszczukh@felician.edu. For more information about participating in the Department of Labor Life Sciences Veterans Job Fair email dontod@bergen.org.

###

About Felician University

Felician University inspires and engages more than 2,100 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students through programs in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education. Over the past five years, Felician University has ranked 3rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and #1 Safest College Campus in New Jersey according to niche.com. The Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Felician University was designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the thirteenth year recognizing its strong support for Veteran students. The university is recognized for its diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), having underrepresented students comprise more than half of the student population. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, the Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu.