Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/11/2025
4:30 pm - 6:20 pm

Engage with research, innovation and entrepreneurship in science. Ask questions, and be curious.

The OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH can help!

Science 1SA1 Colloquium Series: Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Science.

• Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2025
• Time: 4:30 – 6:20 PM
• Location: ABB 102

This event is open to all undergraduate science students and provides an opportunity to:

• Explore pathways to research, innovation and entrepreneurship
• Hear real-life stories from startup founders
• Discover available resources and support networks
• Participate in an interactive Q&A with our expert panel

Featured Speakers:

• Dr. Donghoon Lee – Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Omphalos Lifesciences
• Carla Burquó – Director, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine (Bioenterprise)
• Dr. Colin Yates – CEO & Co-Founder, VETSon; Adjunct Professor, University of Waterloo

Register here: RSVP – SCIENCE 1SA1 Colloquium Series – November 6, 2025, 4:30-6:20 pm – Fill out form

Guest Speaker Bios:

Donghoon (M.) Lee, PhD, is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Omphalos Lifesciences, where he leads development of the company’s “programmable virtual cell” platform for AI-driven modeling of biology and disease. He earned his PhD in Cell & Systems Biology from the University of Toronto and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center before moving into startup leadership. Under his co-leadership, Omphalos Lifesciences has been accepted into NVIDIA’s Inception program and selected for the Paratus Digital Health Accelerator, reflecting growing industry traction for its computational biosystems approach.

Carla Berquó, as the Director of Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine at Bioenterprise, Carla is responsible for all facets of the Engine, including its development, implementation and management, strategic partnerships, and membership growth and engagement. She is committed to working with communities, governments, industry, and all related partners as a catalyst for establishing long-term relationships, connectivity and collaboration in the food, agri-tech and related sectors across Canada.

Carla and her team provide member companies with customized services for them to keep growing and achieving their goals. Offering a mix of marketing, communications, events and partnerships, they help members feel part of a larger community, while encouraging Engine Insiders to get involved.

Colin Yates, PhD, is the CEO and co-founder of VETSon, a telemedicine platform improving access to veterinary care for livestock producers. He leads product and partnership strategy and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Waterloo. Before VETSon, he chaired Fanshawe College’s Centre for Research & Innovation (CRI) and has advised Bioenterprise on science and innovation initiatives. Yates earned both his PhD (Planning) and MES (Environment & Resource Studies) at the University of Waterloo. Under his leadership, VETSon has expanded rapidly since launching in 2022, with growing clinic partnerships and e-commerce capabilities supporting rural veterinary practices.

We hope you’ll join us for this exciting session to connect, learn, and be inspired by leaders at the intersection of science, research, and entrepreneurship.