Ohio State Mansfield Connects Students with Life Sciences Industry Leaders

Students at The Ohio State University at Mansfield had the opportunity to look beyond the classroom and into the future of Ohio’s growing life sciences industry during a campus event that brought students face-to-face with professionals working in healthcare, research and biotechnology.

The Life Sciences Industry Hub, held Sept. 30 in Eisenhower Marketplace, featured Angela McMurry, director of workforce with Ohio Life Sciences; Maribeth Eckert, director of human resources with Charles River Laboratories; and Stephen Wolford, vice president and chief human resources officer with Avita Health System.

Dean and Director Jason Opal led a discussion exploring technological innovation, workforce needs and the skills students will need as they prepare for careers in rapidly changing industries.

Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the major themes.

McMurry discussed advances ranging from gene and cell therapy to new manufacturing systems that allow biologic products to be distributed around the world. She emphasized that innovation is creating opportunities well beyond the careers students may traditionally associate with life sciences, including positions in engineering, manufacturing, technology and skilled trades.

Eckert shared how Charles River Laboratories is exploring new research methodologies that could reduce the number of animal models needed during preclinical research while helping move new drugs toward market more efficiently. Wolford described ways artificial intelligence and other technologies are beginning to transform healthcare, including tools that could help clinicians process patient information more efficiently and “smart rooms” designed to provide patients and families with real-time information about their care.

But as technology continues to evolve, panelists told students that some of the most valuable workforce skills remain distinctly human.

McMurry encouraged students to develop creativity and troubleshooting skills and to remain willing to try new things. Drawing from her own career path, which has included several professional transitions, she also urged students not to fear changing direction.

“You take something from each experience into your next experience, and that's the most important thing,” McMurry said.

Eckert emphasized adaptability, complex thinking and the value of internships, telling students they do not need to have their entire career path figured out while they are still in college. Instead, students can use their education and hands-on experiences to discover where their interests and abilities fit.

Wolford stressed communication and empathy, particularly in healthcare.

“In health care, it's the human touch that's important,” he said, emphasizing that patients entering hospitals and physicians’ offices may be nervous or frightened. Being able to communicate effectively, listen and connect with people remains critical even as technology becomes more sophisticated.

Students then joined faculty and industry professionals in small-group conversations before participating in an interactive poll about emerging technologies, concerns surrounding innovation and the skills they believe will matter most in the future workforce.

Their responses expressed both excitement and caution. Students identified artificial intelligence, robotics, CRISPR and gene editing among technologies that interested them, while raising concerns about cybersecurity, patient records, ethics, unintended consequences and AI-generated misinformation.

The event concluded with another message for students: take advantage of the access a regional campus provides.

Students were encouraged to talk with visiting employers, explore different workplaces and recognize the value of experiences they may already have — including jobs outside their intended career fields.

Closing the program, students were reminded that being part of a smaller campus within a major university gives them an opportunity to build relationships directly with professionals who may one day hire them.

“Lean into that,” students were told. “Talk with the people who are here who want to hire you. You're in demand.”