Unique master’s program opens doors to biotechnology careers
Source: https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2026/03/05/unique-masters-program-opens-doors-to-biotechnology-careers/ Parent: https://www.yorku.ca/gradstudies/about-us/news/
Posted on March 5, 2026
ByAndrea GrahamMarch 5, 2026
When Ida Fazeli graduated with a bachelor of science in molecular biology, she weighed a decision many students face: whether to continue studies in science, pursue a business degree or enter the workforce and gain the industry experience she craved.
York University’s Master of Biotechnology Management (MBM) program provided an answer. One of a kind in Canada, the program offers students training in biotechnology theory and practice, a diploma in business management and two to three terms of paid internship experience. The double credential offered at York’s Markham Campus allowed Fazeli to maximize career options by adding business to her STEM background.
What she didn’t yet know was the MBM program would give her multiple meaningful points of access to the biotechnology industry. Hands-on projects, immersive technical training and mentorship from a York alum during her internship shaped Fazeli’s confidence, skills and career exploration.
“MBM is designed with sustained industry interaction throughout the student journey,” says Jade Atallah, graduate program director, biotechnology. “Through internships, interdisciplinary capstone projects and industry-centred work-integrated learning experiences, students graduate with partner collaborations on their CVs, an expanded professional network and professional credibility that strengthens future employment outcomes.”
Capstone and experiential learning projects in the program’s curriculum give students a chance to build a practical foundation while engaging with real-world initiatives. For Fazeli, this included a work-integrated learning project during her first term at York exploring regulatory frameworks for alternative proteins.
The project was a collaboration with York's Co-op & Career Centre with support from a Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) grant.
Fazeli also participated in a project to design a business case for a smart-model prototype for a health care equipment company, offering her meaningful exposure to regulatory frameworks. She notes this knowledge and experience were relevant to subsequent work she undertook with a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO).
The capstone experiences reconfirmed her interest in working at the intersection of science, technology and business as she began her search for an internship, a second foundational component of the MBM program. The competitive process inspired Fazeli to network, attend conferences and actively pursue opportunities.
At York’s Markham Campus, internship placements are supported by faculty members and a dedicated employer partnerships team that works closely with organizations to align students with roles that support their goals.
“I submitted my resume and cover letter through the portal. It was easy,” she recalls. “A coordinator got back to me quickly and connected me with the employer.”
That employer was Dalton Pharma Services and the hiring manager was Saif Mia, a York University alum who is the associate director, informatics and technology services at Dalton Pharma Services, a CDMO that leads pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services for the biotechnology industry.
Mia graduated with a BSc in chemistry from York and says his degree was an entry point to the biotechnology and biomanufacturing industry. “I wouldn’t be in this industry if I didn’t study chemistry,” he says. “The technical foundation I learned at York still applies now.”
Today, he passes his support and expertise forward by mentoring York University students who are entering the field. Mia and his team engage students in collaborative, problem-solving roles that expose them to the complexities of a highly regulated environment. “It’s our goal to shape future science students that are entering this field during their work terms with us,” says Mia. “Ours are typically short-term projects, which are well supported by York’s co-op program since it offers a flexible hiring timeline.”
In May 2025, Mia hired Fazeli as a digital systems implementation and data migration intern to support his team with implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and to work closely with the organization’s Electronic Quality Management System (eQMS). She worked with Mia and Huyen Bui, senior specialist, QMS and lab informatics, to help design and troubleshoot workflows, migrate data and translate calibration forms.
Fazeli says she was thrilled to benefit from mentors closely connected to York and committed to developing student talent.
“Mentorship played a significant role in shaping my experience,” she says. “Working at a CDMO is very dynamic – there was always something I had a question about. Huyen and Saif always met me with guidance and support. I’m grateful for such a collaborative and supportive team.”
Mia echoes gratitude and says the benefits go both ways. “Not only do York students like Ida bring value to Dalton Pharma, but we also learn from them, based on the new teaching methodologies and techniques they’re getting from their curriculum.”
“Students come into their roles very curious, which is important,” adds Bui. “They’ll ask questions that inspire us to think of things in a different way, resulting in a process improvement or a modification in the way we do things.”
Early in her role, Fazeli was invited to join four other York students for a week in Montreal to participate in the CASTL BioBridge Co-op Training Program. Delivered by the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), the program provided hands-on training in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-simulated facilities to boost students’ technical and compliance skills. It gave her another access point to industry and expert instruction in the field.
“There were many connections to my work experience, including the chance to go into the labs and see the cleanrooms,” Fazeli recalls. “While I’d come to understand regulatory processes in my job, I got to experience them first-hand at the training facilities.”
Now in her final semester of the MBM program, Fazeli is preparing to graduate with both a professional master of biotechnology management and a graduate diploma in management. She comes away with career-defining insights, confidence and professional connections gained from her mentors and industry experiences.
Programs such as BioBridge, and support for students like Fazeli, advance the Co-op & Career Centre and Markham Campus’ commitment to developing industry-ready talent and delivering value to employers.
“It’s a win-win,” says Mia, of experiences like Fazeli’s. “We gain fresh perspectives from the students and they get a head start experiencing cross-functional collaboration on the job. In class, everyone studies the same thing. Coming into an environment where there are different departments working together on challenges is a great advantage and an opportunity to learn.”
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