The BCLA Annual Biotech Summit is BCLA’s flagship event. This year, the Summit will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to continue providing an accessible platform for all stakeholders in biotech, during a time when many individuals and entities are experiencing financial hardship. General Summit - for all academics and professionalsWith a well curated program including a high-profile keynote speaker, two panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking components, we will engage our diverse membership base to foster career advancement, promote collaborations between researchers and industry leaders. This year our program will create conversation around COVID-19 and its impact on the biotech industry and on communities in Los Angeles.The program will be a mix of pre-recorded panel discussions and live breakout sessions and virtual networking opportunities. Tentative Program for general summit :11:00 AM - Introduction by Jasson Crockett, Manager, Economic Policy, Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office11:15 AM - Keynote by Rick Berk, STAT News12:00 PM - Panel 1 - Inequity in Healthcare: The Impact of COVID-19 on LA's Communities of Color1:00 PM - Breakout sessions - 40 breakout round tables - Career Development Track & Start-Up studio.2:30 PM - Fireside Chat & Panel 2Fireside Chat with Susan Windham-Bannister, PhD, President and CEO of Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) & Dave J. Whelan, CEO, Bioscience LAPanel 2 - Accelerating LA’s Biotech Ecosystem4:00 PM - Networking round tables STEM Student Summitfor high-school students and early undergraduate studentsThis program is designed to develop career planning skills for students interested in pursuing a career in biotech and STEM fields. The STEM Student Summit will feature a career coach and an ice beaker networking game to facilitate networking in a virtual world. The event also features a career panel and breakout sessions.