Students & Recent Grads Roundtable
The T2B Students & Recent Grads Roundtable connects aspiring biopharma communicators with the knowledge, tools, and community they need to succeed in this specialized industry. This roundtable provides resources and programming that benefit not only early-career professionals but also the broader T2B community by fostering an understanding of and support for the next generation of talent in our field.
Roundtable objectives
- Provide insights into diverse career opportunities within biopharma communications, highlighting practical steps to enter and advance in these specialized roles.
- Develop programming that addresses skills often learned on the job, including project management, client etiquette, and industry-specific communications strategies.
- Create opportunities for mentorship, networking, and collaboration between emerging talent and senior leaders to build a stronger, more connected community.
- Offer engaging, interactive programming such as workshops, panels, and resource guides that deliver both foundational knowledge and practical skills tailored to the unique challenges of biopharma communications.
About the chair
Mikel Legette, Junior Account Manager, Healthcare Consultancy Group (OHG)
Mikel is a Caribbean American and a first-generation college graduate with a profound passion for healthcare and pharmaceutical marketing. He holds a double bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Corporate Communication, Advertising, and Marketing from Baruch College, CUNY. Driven by a commitment to excellence, Mikel continually challenges change and innovation processes, takes initiative, amplifies voices, and achieves noteworthy outcomes through resourceful solutions. Mikel has interned at top Fortune 500 companies and pharma advertising agencies across the United States. Mikel started his career at JP Morgan Chase as a Data Analyst. He then transitioned to healthcare marketing, interning at Publicis Health Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness and later as Global Communications Intern at Merck & Co. Inc.
Mikel’s interests extend beyond his professional pursuits. He has a deep passion for the culinary arts and a meticulous eye for digital design. His love for travel adventures, exploring different cultures, and listening to music not only enrich his life but also contribute to his creativity and analytical thinking, setting him apart as a young individual.
About the executive sponsor
Lori Lennon, Founder & CEO, Thinkubator Media
Lori Lennon is the founder and CEO of Thinkubator Media, an organization focused on elevating the profiles of women in STEM. Thinkubator Media is dedicated to having the diverse voices of women heard inside and outside of their STEM fields. Lori and her team work with women in academia and industry to raise their profiles through education, training, and community to ultimately help them gain the notoriety needed for funding, support, and advancing their research. This curated approach was developed by listening to the needs expressed by women across many STEM disciplines.
Before starting her own company, Lori served as the director of communications for the College of Science at Northeastern University. Her experience as a communicator has allowed her to work with leading researchers who are tackling some of the biggest and most important issues of our time, such as climate change, renewable energy, and drug discovery.
Lori’s work spanned across many communication disciplines while at Northeastern, including strategic planning, messaging, public relations, editorial writing, digital marketing and communications, content development, marketing and communications for recruitment, and email marketing strategies and implementation.
At Northeastern, Lori was a member of several communications groups, a member of the College of Science Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and an advisor for the student-run magazine, NUSCI.
Before her work in science communications, Lori spent several years working in television news, first at New England Cable News, then at WBZ-TV Boston. At a time when news websites were uncharted territory for news organizations, Lori joined a team that helped revolutionize the way users consume news–breaking stories, producing exclusive content, and developing interactive opportunities to boost a reader’s engagement.
During her tenure at WBZ-TV the website earned the Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Broadcast Affiliated website for a large market in 2005 and 2007, and the Associated Press Award for Best TV/Media website in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Lori has helped cover elections, Super Bowls, major local news events, and our beloved Boston Marathon.
Lori currently lives with her teenage daughter in Sharon, Massachusetts where they spend a lot of time walking arm in arm, eating fun foods, and contemplating the complexities of life.
Apply
Applications open in late February 2025. Each member term is for one calendar year.
“T2B plays a pivotal role by offering young professionals developmental opportunities, including mentorship, skills/capacity-building engagements, and access to industry thought leaders. We’re fostering and forging a supportive community and a dynamic environment where T2B can empower young professionals to grow, innovate, and lead in the biopharma communications field while advancing their careers and keeping abreast of industry trends.”
