Jun 13, 2017

#UofTGrad17 Gurpreet Kamboj: Business and Biotechnology

Gurpreet Kamboj

Gurpreet Kamboj

What do you get when you combine business and biotechnology? For Gurpreet Kamboj, the answer to that question may be a new company to help ensure all people have access to safe, timely and effective health care.

Kamboj is one of 60 people awarded a fellowship with Venture for Canada, a career accelerator for recent graduates who want to learn how to build a business and make a difference in the world. Fellows spend two years working at one of the non-profit organization’s partner startups across the country— and building the skills and experience they need to eventually launch their own firms. On June 14, she’ll become one of the first students to graduate from the Faculty of Medicine’s Translational Research Program (TRP). She recently spoke with writer Erin Howe about her experience in the TRP, and how it helped prepare her for the future.

Tell me a bit about your background. What were you doing before you joined the TRP?

I completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Genes, Genetics and Biotechnology and Psychology here at U of T in 2015. After that, I took an online certificate program offered by Harvard University to learn business analytics, accounting and economics. This broadened my educational experience and helped me understand the world from a business perspective. Meanwhile I volunteered at The Hospital for Sick Children’s Autism Research Unit, helping explore the link between specific chromosomal duplications and deletions and their association with autism. I was also a research assistant at U of T’s relationship psychology lab, looking into the relationship between attachment style and its effect on sexual self-esteem.

What drew you to the TRP?

I liked that TRP aimed to deepen my understanding of translational research processes, design thinking and human-centered design. These facets of the program were important to me because the key to any successful product or service is keeping end-users at the heart of the design process.

TRP also provided a self-directed environment and opportunities to develop core competencies — like team building, collaboration, networking, creativity and problem solving — that will help me throughout my career.

How exciting is it to be one of the first students to graduate from this program?

It’s super exciting. The program’s leaders were open to a variety of ideas for the capstone project, which enabled me to focus on topics I was interested in. Because the program was flexible, I was also able to express my views, help shape the program’s structure and guidelines and leave a lasting impact on the program. As a graduate, I’m excited to support and mentor incoming students.

What are you excited to do next and how did your experience in the TRP prepare you for Venture for Canada?

TRP taught me the importance of self-directed learning. I had learnt how to learn, which is just as valuable as any technical skills, especially in a rapidly changing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Moreover, I learnt the importance of networking with researchers in the field and to seek help when needed.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

My goal is to find a position at a startup company where I can grow and be challenged. I want to work someplace I can develop my entrepreneurial skillset, work on interesting projects and — most importantly — work with people I can learn from. One day, I’d like to have management responsibilities and be involved in operations and business development roles. Ultimately, I’d love to launch my own firm to help create a sustainable healthcare environment where every person has a basic right to healthcare that is safe, timely, efficient, equitable, effective and patient-centered.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

My advice is to take ownership of your educational goals, control the pace of your learning and take all the opportunities to wonder and to be creative.

For the full schedule of #UofTGrad17 convocation ceremonies, visit http://www.convocation.utoronto.ca/events.