An Evening Celebrating Science, Innovation, and Expanded Career Pathways in the Life Science Sector.
ROCK the Science aims to raise awareness of life science careers and the pathways that lead the way for students to engage with industry professionals.
For Students and Educators: Meet and network with professionals in fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, and more. Discover the paths they took to get where they are today and get tips for pursuing your own dream career in science and innovation.
For Professionals: Take an evening to meet other industry professionals and mentor students and teachers interested in life science careers.
Students from ULP's 2025-2026 programs will be exhibiting their posters and awards will be given for Best Poster Presentation.
The event programming will include a keynote, a career panel discussion, and a poster exhibition from ULP's 2025-2026 students. The 200+ attendees include students, educators, employers, and community partners aimed at increasing industry-aligned life science career opportunities for students and professionals while expanding access to an exceptional workforce for employers.
Check out photos from 2025.
Let's ROCK the Science in Orange County!
4:00 PM Poster Exhibition and Lab Tours
5:00 PM Program Begins
5:10 PM Keynote Speaker
5:20 PM Guest Panelists
6:00 PM Presentation from the 2026 Summer Interns
6:10 PM Awards
6:30 PM Networking
7:30 PM Event Concludes
ULP takes an innovative and highly effective approach to making high-wage careers in STEM accessible to diverse populations, while fostering innovation, economic development, and job creation within the life sciences sector. Working in tandem, ULP’s wet lab incubator provides the costly laboratory infrastructure innovators need to foster life science innovation and advance life-saving technologies, while its workforce development program provides the next generation with exposure and access to the practical, technical, and hands-on skills needed to succeed in the STEM workforce.
Since opening in 2019, our innovative workforce development programming has inspired more than 2,000 students; 84% are students of color, 61% identify as female, and 50% are from low-income families. In 2023 alone, this programming served 663 students, 87% of whom indicated an interest in pursuing a career in STEM, and 21% of whom stated that they are or will be first generation in their family to attend college. Ava, a high school student participant mentored by a resident company, said this of her experience:
“ULP has been a pivotal factor in setting the direction for my future academic and professional pursuits. It is one of the few high-caliber places available to high school students considering careers in life sciences. The quality of instructors exceeded my expectations; I have met amazing mentors who are leaders in their fields all while gaining experience in the ULP’s state-of-the-art lab.”
To continue empowering students like Ava, our immediate goal is to widen the breadth and reach of our programming. These goals can only be achieved with investments from like-minded supporters like you. Because of your personal commitment to innovation within the region, we invite you to join us to support applied STEM education in OC for all students.
Do you have a great company in the bioscience or medtech industry? Do you need wet-lab and/or fabrication space to develop and test your product?
