Program Overview

The ImmunoE Leadership Program fosters the development of leadership and professional skills needed to thrive in academic and industry careers in biotechnology. 

Through the program, graduate student trainees take on leadership roles, such as organizing activities, mentoring junior trainees, and participating in science communication and outreach. Trainees also have opportunities to acquire technical and cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills in immunoengineering and immunotherapeutics through online modules, as well as gain insights into entrepreneurship, commercialization and career paths through seminars. 

The program builds a collaborative community of learners by encouraging the exchange of knowledge, ideas and expertise through interdisciplinary work-in-progress sessions, ImmunoHackathons and mentoring groups. Furthermore, networking with industry members empowers trainees to navigate diverse career paths and prepare for successful careers across the biotechnology sector. 

Program Eligibility

This program is open to graduate (MSc/PhD) students 

• whose research is in areas of immunongineering and immunotherapeutics, and who are in their second year or later of their graduate study, or 
• who have completed the two-year ImmunoE NSERC CREATE training program and wish to continue their development and growth into leadership roles 

Students should be self-directed learners, community builders, and aspiring team leaders who are eager to participate in ImmunoT&E activities and contribute to the further development of our programs. 

Program Certification

Students are granted the Leadership Program certification upon completing the minimum requirements and are encouraged to remain in the program until their graduation to gain additional credits towards a certificate with distinction. 

Application Process

Graduate students apply here for the 2026/27 academic year. The deadline for submitting applications is July 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm PT. 

For the application, be prepared to provide: 

• Graduate research project title and summary 
• Statement of purpose for why you want to join the program (max 1500 characters) 
• How you plan to contribute to the ImmunoE community (max 1500 characters) 
• CV  

Note: Current ImmunoE NSERC CREATE graduate students may indicate their interest in continuing as part of the Leadership Program by contacting immunoengineering.create@ubc.ca and do not need to complete the application below. Any unused credits earned during their enrollment in the NSERC CREATE program may be transferred to the Leadership Program.