The two young scientists who emerged as the finest of their generation from across the country will be sent to represent the Philippines in this year’s Novartis Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) at the Novartis International Headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.

Carlo Castillo, who is taking up Master of Science in Molecular Medicine at St. Luke’s College of Medicine, and Karen Rosal, who completed her Master in Molecular Biology at Okayama University in Japan, are joining 58 of their peers from around the world in the international gathering which will be held from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.

The three-day event features workshops by biotech leaders from around the world to give participants the tools they need to start a biotech company. It also provides participants the opportunity to work together, learn and network with students worldwide, as well as explore career-enhancing opportunities in biotech and academia.

BioCamp is a pioneering biotechnology seminar organized by research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis for entrepreneurial, postgraduate students in the natural sciences who are interested in pursuing a career in biotechnology.

Participants to the International BioCamp are selected through Local BioCamps organized in the over 140 countries where Novartis operates.

Admission to the International BioCamp is highly competitive. The selection process starts with the stringent screening of the required documents, which include the candidate’s resumé, motivation letter and application form. Local BioCamp participants who pass the initial screening then undergo an initial interview conducted by a panel of judges. Based on the interviews, the judges select five shortlisted candidates who must each prepare for a final case presentation.

The criteria for selection include academic credentials, professional focus, presentation/communication skills, leadership potential, and innovation.