JULYGEM

Overview

JulyGEM is the University of Calgary iGEM team's annual mid-season collaboration event, designed to connect and inspire teams across North America. In 2025, we hosted the eighth edition of JulyGEM as a hybrid biology-based hackathon: the first “Biothon” of its kind. The event challenged participants to prototype a platform that makes bioethics in synthetic biology accessible to the public.

This year’s JulyGEM brought together teams from across North America, fostering innovation, collaboration, and ethical discussion within the synthetic biology community.

Approach - Planning

Planning for JulyGEM began in April 2025 with the goal of continuing the long-standing collaboration tradition while introducing a new hackathon-style format. The University of Lethbridge supported early outreach, helping our team contact other iGEM groups across North America.

Event Coordination

• Format: Hybrid event with both in-person and virtual participation.
• Venue: Hosted at the University of Calgary’s Health Sciences Building (the Atrium), where university staff assisted with tables, chairs, and audiovisual setup at no cost.
• Online Platform: A Discord server was used for remote participation, team coordination, and live streaming of presentations.

Sponsorship & Funding

• Total funding: Approximately $1,500 CAD was secured to support food, logistics, and awards.
• Food sponsor: FoodYard, supplemented by a Walmart gift card won at a previous event to cover breakfast costs.
• Award sponsor: Local organizations, companies, and industry contacts contributed monetary support, enabling a $1,000 top prize.
• In-kind sponsor: RedBull provided energy drink supplies after outreach at a local event.

Judges & Guests

We assembled a diverse panel of four judges with backgrounds in academia, biotechnology, and entrepreneurship, including past iGEM competitors and professors. Our guest speaker, Emily Hicks (a former iGEM participant and founder of FREDsense), delivered a keynote on translating iGEM projects into industry.

Scheduling & Participation

• Date selection: Finalized through a poll shared with interested teams to maximize attendance.
• Interest form: Collected participant numbers and dietary preferences.

Approach - Event

Event Overview

The 2025 JulyGEM was held as a one-day hybrid Biothon, bringing together teams from across North America. The challenge encouraged participants to think critically about ethics and innovation in synthetic biology.

Participating Teams:

• UAlberta iGEM (Ashbloom)
• UCalgary iGEM 2024 (ErythrO₂)
• McGill iGEM
• iGEMToronto
• URochester iGEM
• Queen's University

Outcomes

Hackathon Theme

Prompt: “Prototype a platform that makes bioethics accessible to the public.”

Teams were tasked with developing a creative, feasible, and impactful solution addressing this prompt. Throughout the day, they collaborated on brainstorming, design, and final presentations.

The event also featured a guest speaker, Emily Hicks, a former iGEM participant who co-founded FREDsense. FREDsense is a successful biotechnology company, sharing insights on the entrepreneurial journey from iGEM to industry.

Schedule of Activities

Judging & Awards

The judging panel included professionals from academia, biotechnology, and industry, providing feedback on innovation, feasibility, and communication. Our panel included: Daniel Sabourov, Gustavo Muro Marchani, Patrick Wu, and Dr. Mayi Arcellana-Panlilio.

The winning team received a $1,000 award, funded through JulyGEM sponsorships.

Impact & Engagement

Participants actively engaged with the prompt and keynote, producing thoughtful solutions and professional pitch decks. The event successfully promoted collaboration, ethical reflection, and creativity across the iGEM community.

Reflection & Future Recommendations

Event Reflection

JulyGEM 2025 was a success in fostering collaboration, innovation, and discussion around bioethics in synthetic biology. The hybrid format ran smoothly, and both in-person and online participants reported high engagement throughout the day.

Highlights

• The hybrid setup worked seamlessly, receiving praise from attendees and judges.
• The event atmosphere was energetic and professional, with strong participation during the keynote and hackathon.
• The venue, HRIC Atrium, provided a bright and welcoming environment, enhancing the experience for in-person teams.
• The judging panel and structured pitch format elevated the event’s professionalism.

Areas for Improvement

• Encourage more in-person attendance by confirming teams early and offering travel guidance.
• Continue efforts toward full food sponsorship to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
• Provide judges with clear instructions that their written evaluations will be shared with teams.

Lessons Learned

Organizing a large collaborative event required adaptability and teamwork. The team faced challenges such as sponsorship delays, last-minute team cancellations, and early logistical conflicts, but each was resolved through open communication and shared effort.

Key takeaways:

• Effective communication is crucial in managing conflict and preventing escalation.
• Persistence in outreach pays off (multiple follow-ups secured both monetary and in-kind sponsorships).
• Backup plans (e.g., local team invitations, extra food budget) ensured continuity despite last-minute changes.

For the Future

• Start early: Begin outreach and planning in April or earlier.
• Contact previous hosts: Discuss logistics and lessons learned to build on past success.
• Venue & Tech: The Health Sciences Building (Foothills Campus) offers free room bookings with full AV support (ideal for hybrid events).
• Sponsorship: Reach out to MindFuel and previous partners for potential support.
• Team Invitations: Send interest forms and official invitations at least one month in advance to allow for travel arrangements.
• Conflict Management: Maintain professionalism, use structured discussion tools (e.g., pros and cons lists), and prioritize respectful communication.
• Have fun: JulyGEM is not only an outreach initiative but also an opportunity to strengthen the iGEM community and team cohesion.

NORTH AMERICAN MINI JAMBOREE

Introduction

The Mini Jamboree is a regional collaborative event organized by Canadian iGEM teams to provide a practice space before the Grand Jamboree. It allows teams to present their projects, receive constructive feedback, and engage with the broader iGEM community in a lower-stakes setting. This year, we collaborated with iGEM BostonU, iGEM Cornell, iGEM UOttawa, and iGEM Communities to plan and host the event.

For our team, the Mini Jamboree was a chance not only to share our project progress but also to contribute behind the scenes. The University of Calgary iGEM team played a central role in designing and preparing all the documents and visuals used for the event, as well as serving as one of the presenters and moderators during the day.

Credit: Muskaan Puri

Approach - Planning

Planning the Mini Jamboree required coordination across multiple teams and time zones. Our main contributions were:

• Document & Design Creation: We created the official participant package, judging package, and promotional designs that were used throughout the event. These resources streamlined logistics and provided a professional standard for all teams.
• Collaboration with Partner Teams: We worked closely with other iGEM teams to align on the event format, schedule, and judging criteria. This included weekly virtual meetings, brainstorming sessions, and group planning calls where each team could contribute ideas and feedback. These recurring touchpoints ensured that the event reflected a shared vision while still moving forward efficiently.
• Event Role Preparation: In addition to behind-the-scenes work, our team prepared to be presenters and moderators during the event to ensure smooth transitions between sessions and to help foster engaging discussions.

Judge Package

Participant Package

Approach - Event

On the day of the Mini Jamboree, our team's involvement was both technical and facilitative:

• Moderation & Hosting: One of our members served as a lead moderator, introducing teams, guiding the flow of presentations, managing Q&A sessions, and keeping the event on time. This role was critical in maintaining professionalism and creating an engaging atmosphere for both presenters and attendees.
• Operational Management: Behind the scenes, we oversaw logistical coordination, ensuring the participant and judging packages we designed were properly implemented. By actively managing transitions and supporting both virtual and in-person elements, we helped deliver a smooth, well-structured experience for all teams.

Outcomes

The Mini Jamboree was a successful rehearsal for all participating teams. Key outcomes included:

• Detailed Feedback for Growth: Each team received structured judging feedback, enabling them to refine their presentations, address knowledge gaps, and strengthen their projects before the Grand Jamboree.
• Strengthened National Collaboration: The event deepened collaborations between Canadian iGEM teams, creating a stronger sense of shared community and laying the foundation for future partnerships beyond the competition.
• Reusable Professional Resources: The participant packages, judging packages, and designs we created were not only used during the event but are now being shared as templates for future Mini Jamborees, raising the overall professionalism and accessibility of the event for years to come.
• Skill Development Across Teams: By practicing in a professional setting, participants gained confidence in public speaking, learned to handle live Q&A sessions, and were exposed to the expectations of real-world pitch-style presentations.
• Visibility and Recognition: The smooth execution of the event, particularly the professionalism of moderation and the clarity of documentation, received positive feedback from attendees and judges. Our team was recognized as a key driver of the event's success, setting a benchmark for future editions.

Reflection & Future Recommendations

Our experience contributing to the Mini Jamboree provided not only valuable practice for our own project but also lasting lessons about collaboration, leadership, and community-building.

• On Collaboration: Coordinating with multiple teams across Canada reinforced the importance of clear communication, accountability, and shared vision. Weekly meetings and brainstorming sessions taught us that successful collaboration depends on balancing creativity with structure. By taking ownership of the event documents and design, we created a central framework that streamlined planning and reduced confusion, a contribution that directly improved the efficiency of the organizing process.
• On Community Impact: Acting as both participants and facilitators highlighted the unique responsibility of iGEM teams to support the growth of others while advancing their own work. Serving as moderators and presenters positioned us not only as contributors but also as leaders within the iGEM network. This dual role deepened our understanding of the iGEM community as an ecosystem built on reciprocity, where mentorship and peer support are as valuable as project outcomes.
• On Professional Development:: Engaging in event design, moderation, and coordination allowed our team to strengthen skills in leadership, communication, and project management that extend beyond the competition. The ability to manage logistics, mediate discussions, and present with confidence reflects the transferable skills iGEM fosters.

For The Future

• Sustainability: Maintain a shared repository for participant and judging packages so that future organizers can reuse and adapt these professional resources.
• Early Role Alignment: Encourage clear division of responsibilities at the beginning of planning to avoid duplication of work and ensure accountability.
• Hybrid Inclusivity: Preserve both virtual and in-person elements to maximize accessibility and engagement across teams.
• Mentorship Integration: Involve alumni or mentors earlier in planning for guidance on event structure, judging decorum, and community outreach.
• Long-Term Network Building: Use the Mini Jamboree as a springboard for year-round collaboration between Canadian teams, not just a single event.

THE GREAT CANADIAN MEET-UP

Introduction

The Great Canadian iGEM Meet-Up is an event that brings together iGEM teams from across Canada to share project progress, exchange ideas, and build community. In 2025 the Meet-Up was organized by iGEM uOttawa, with collaboration from CÉGEP d'Outaouais, McGill, and Queen's.

Credit: UOttowa iGEM

For our team, the Meet-Up was a chance to present our work, learn from peers, and gain insights that will help refine our project in the months ahead.

For this event, Santiago Pineros Chvatal, our wet lab lead, flew to Ottawa, organized our pitch and presentation, and represented the University of Calgary iGEM team during the competition.

Credit: UOttowa iGEM

Participation

Since we participated but did not organize, our involvement was focused on:

• Presentation & Feedback: We presented our project at the Meet-Up and received feedback from judges and other teams.
• Observation & Learning: We observed how other teams presented, organized their sessions, and handled feedback/Q&A.
• Networking: We connected with members of other teams to discuss project challenges, possible collaborations, and shared best practices.

Credit: UOttowa iGEM

Credit: UOttowa iGEM

Presentation Deck

Outcomes

Third Place Prize

Participating in the Great Canadian Meet-Up yielded several key benefits:

• Refined Project through Feedback: Judging feedback helped us identify improvements, including better handling of false positives and false negatives.
• Benchmarking & Inspiration: Seeing how other teams structure their projects gave us reference points for strengths and weaknesses of our own work.
• Strategic Planning for Next Year: The experience gave us ideas for how to better organize, plan, and structure our team work in the future, especially in relation to presentation, feedback incorporation, and overall project scope.

For The Future

From participating in this Meet-Up, we have drawn several lessons and ideas for future engagement:

• On Feedback Integration: It's valuable to solicit varied feedback (from peers, judges, mentors), and leave time to iterate based on it.
• On Observation: Watching other teams provides insight, not just into technical content but presentation style, time management, and clarity.
• On Preparation: Even when not organizing, preparation matters: rehearsing presentations, anticipating questions (e.g. about false positives/negatives), and having concise, clear visuals make a difference.
• On Networking: Engaging with other teams is useful beyond the event; it builds relationships and shared learning.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the organizing teams (iGEM uOttawa, CÉGEP d'Outaouais, McGill, and Queen's) for bringing together the 2025 Great Canadian iGEM Meet-Up. A special thank you to the organizing team for generously providing funding support that allowed Santiago to travel to Ottawa and represent our team at the event.

THE VECTOR JOURNAL

Introduction

As part of our iGEM journey, our team contributed an article to The Vector Journal, a student-led synthetic biology publication designed to foster collaboration, communication, and critical review within the iGEM community. This process allowed us not only to showcase our project and its broader significance but also to actively participate in the exchange of ideas across teams. By engaging in peer review, both as authors and as reviewers, we experienced first-hand the value of constructive scientific dialogue. Our finalized article, following rounds of revision and feedback, was approved for publication, representing both a milestone for our team and a contribution to the collective body of knowledge shared by the global iGEM community.

Participation

Our involvement with The Vector Journal followed the full cycle of academic participation. First, we drafted an article that introduced our project concept and its relevance to synthetic biology, focusing on how our work contributes to safer and more accessible diagnostic technologies. Once submitted, our article entered the peer review stage, where it was carefully evaluated by other iGEM teams. Their comments helped us identify areas for clarification and improvement, particularly in communicating our technical work to a broad student and scientific audience. In parallel, we also served as reviewers for articles submitted by other teams, offering constructive feedback and learning from their approaches to synthetic biology. This reciprocal exchange of perspectives not only improved the quality of our own writing but also gave us a greater appreciation for the diversity of projects within iGEM. After addressing the reviewer feedback and making revisions, our article was approved for publication, marking the successful completion of the process.

Reflection & Future Recommendations

Participating in The Vector Journal was an invaluable learning experience for our team. As authors, we learned how to refine complex scientific ideas into a clear and accessible narrative, which strengthened both our science communication skills and our ability to contextualize our project for broader audiences. The peer review process highlighted the importance of constructive criticism: we saw how thoughtful feedback from other teams improved our work, and in turn, how our comments could help others strengthen their articles. Acting as both authors and reviewers gave us a sense of responsibility to uphold high standards of clarity, accuracy, and professionalism. Moreover, the experience reminded us that scientific progress is collaborative and iterative, improvement comes through open dialogue and shared perspectives. Overall, this process fostered a deeper appreciation for the community-driven nature of iGEM and the role of student publications in building scientific literacy and collaboration.

Looking forward, we encourage future iGEM teams to take full advantage of opportunities like The Vector Journal. Contributing an article not only amplifies the visibility of a team's project but also strengthens essential skills in science communication, peer review, and collaboration. We recommend that teams begin drafting early to allow time for revisions and to treat reviewer feedback as an opportunity to improve both writing and scientific framing. Likewise, serving as reviewers is a chance to broaden one's perspective by learning from the diverse methods and challenges faced by other teams. Finally, we believe that continued participation in platforms like The Vector Journal will help build a stronger culture of open science within iGEM, where student-led dialogue plays a central role in advancing the field of synthetic biology.

Acknowledgements

We would like to sincerely thank the Maastricht iGEM team at Maastricht University for organizing The Vector Journal and creating the framework that allowed us to contribute our work. Their efforts in coordinating submissions, facilitating peer review, and supporting authors through revisions provided us with an invaluable opportunity to share our project and engage in scientific dialogue with other iGEM teams.