What does a CSO of a biotech company do on a day-to-day basis? How much truth lies behind the common stereotypes about working in the biotech industry? What can make you stand out as a candidate for a biotech industry job?

Step into the dynamic world of biotech with our latest episode as we debunk common myths and uncover the realities of working in this vibrant industry. Our guest is Peggy Sotiropoulou, an accomplished cancer immunology researcher from Greece. Currently, she holds the position of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at T-Knife Therapeutics. Few years ago, Peggy decided to leave her tenured academic position of Research Associate Professor and make the leap to the industry.

In our conversation, she explained what was most relevant in her informed decision process and how she explored the different options. Peggy shares her insights on what it truly means to be a CSO, revealing the intricacies of developing scientific strategies and navigating the hiring process. She candidly provides her invaluable insights and advice presenting the unique benefits and opportunities that the biotech industry offers, both for scientific research and professional growth.

In this engaging conversation, Peggy and Kasia explore the nuances of transitioning from academic research to the industry world, shedding light on the lessons academia can learn from biotech. From Peggy's unexpected beginnings as a travel magazine writer to her current role as a leader in biotech, her story is a testament to ambition, resilience, and foresight. But our discussion doesn't stop there. Stay tuned as we explore Peggy's insights on women in leadership roles, the future of the therapeutic industry, and even touch upon our favourite Greek filmmaker. Join us as we journey through Peggy's remarkable career and gain a deeper understanding of the biotech landscape. Get ready for an episode packed with insights and inspiration you'll be glad you didn't miss. Enjoy and welcome Peggy Sotiropoulou!

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Find Peggy on LinkedIn⁠.

Peggy Sotiropoulou obtained her PhD degree at Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center in Athens, Greece. She then progressed through 2 postdoctoral positions moving from Athens to Brussels spanning short 4 years. After that she secured a tenured position of Research Associate Professor at FNRS (Funds for Scientific Research) in Brussels leading a team investigating Cancer initiation, growth and resistance to therapy. However, she decided to leave her academic position and transitioned to industry. Spending 3 years at Celyad Oncology, she swiftly ascended from R&D Manager to the role of Head of R&D. Today she is the Chief Scientific Officer CSO at T-Knife Therapeutics, a biotech company dedicated to pioneering novel cancer therapeutics, particularly supercharged TCR-Ts T-cell receptor therapies.

Peggy’s movie recommendation: movies of Yorgos Lanthymos

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Look for Kasia's BookTube channel Reading In-Between ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Music and Sound Engineering: Lukasz Kowalski

What does a Human Factors Engineer do? What can lead to a decision to exit academia, and what can drive someone to share their transition publicly? What are the do's & don'ts of job hunting?

Our guest is Ashley Ruba - an American researcher, currently working as a Human Factors Engineer at Arthrex. Ashley is also a founder of After Academia, a coach and a career strategist advising fellow PhDs seeking to transition out of academia and supporting them in launching fulfilling non-academic careers.

In this episode, Ashley provides a glimpse into her daily life and work experiences. She demystifies the world of UX Research and shares the true story behind the origins of Human Factors Engineering. Ashley and Kasia discuss the often-ignored toll of academic careers on mental health. From the pressures and toxic culture of academia to the self-rediscovery found in leaving, Ashley shares the challenges she faced for speaking out during her transition and navigating the subsequent backlash.

But this conversation isn't just about career choices - keep listening till the end where it gets even more personal and insightful. In a candid moment, Ashley reveals her recent autism diagnosis and the impact it had on her perception of self and interactions with others. Together, Kasia and Ashley engage in a heartfelt dialogue about destigmatizing health issues and advocating for workplace accommodations, emphasizing that no job is worth sacrificing mental health. As the conversation unfolds, Ashley reflects on her aspiration to write a memoir, tracing her path of growth, self-discovery, and the embrace of a growth mindset.

Tune in as Ashley offers invaluable resources, identifies common pitfalls to avoid, and imparts strategies for navigating career transitions. As Ashley said: You have all the answers that you’re looking for. Get out of your own way! Enjoy and welcome Ashley Ruba! -------------

If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee ⁠here⁠ - Thanks :)

Find Ashley and sign up for her newsletter through her website, but also on LinkedIn⁠, Twitter (X) and ⁠Instagram⁠.⁠

Ashley earned her MS and PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle, followed by a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She decided to leave her academic career a little bit over 2 years ago. Frustrated by the job insecurity and political nature of academia, she decided to speak out rather than quietly fade away like so many others. Ashley’s candid posts detailing her career transition went viral, sparking conversations and requests for advice from hundreds of individuals in similar situations. She then briefly worked in Consulting before starting as UX Researcher at Meta.

Today, Ashley not only navigates her own career path but also extends a guiding hand to fellow PhDs. She is the founder of After Academia, a platform dedicated to offering coaching, strategic advice, and support to those seeking to transition out of academia and into fulfilling non-academic careers.

Ashley’s book recommendations: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao; $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi -------------

Follow Science on Trial [and Error] on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee ⁠here⁠ - Thanks :)

Look for Kasia's BookTube channel Reading In-Between ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Music and Sound Engineering: Lukasz Kowalski

What does the position of Product Manager entail? What makes someone who has a good chance of becoming a PI leave academia? How to deal with imposter syndrome during big career transitions?

Our guest is Rose De Guzman - a Filipino-American scientist, currently working as a Product Manager at Evident Scientific. Rose is a passionate advocate for making science more accessible. In her current role, she is dedicated to improving the lives of researchers. Through her mentoring initiatives, she seeks to empower women scientists and help students from historically marginalized backgrounds find their paths.

Rose and Kasia delve into the challenges of exploring diverse career paths, refining academic resumes for non-academic roles, and recount surprising experiences that can help in getting a job. They offer advice on seeking assistance, navigating potential pitfalls, and strategizing the transition process. Rose discusses her own career redirection, revealing what she discovered about herself in the journey beyond academia. In the latter part of the interview, Rose and Kasia bond over their shared experiences as first-generation Ph.D. holders. Finally, Rose shares her deep-seated motivations for giving back - to her family, her community, and society as a whole - while also sharing her big dream aspirations.

Expect laughter, honesty but also tears. Oh and books recommendations (of course). As Rose said: Sometimes it only really takes one person to change your path. Enjoy and welcome Rose de Guzman! -------------

Find Rose on Instagram and LinkedIn

Rose's journey began in the Philippines, where she witnessed first-hand how poverty stifled educational opportunities. Moving to the US at a young age, her family became her bedrock of strength and motivation as she pursued her scientific endeavors. She proudly stands as a first-generation PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University at Albany NY. She also pursued a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Mass General Hospital - Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Rose is the founder of two impactful mentoring initiatives: Women in Neuroscience (IG), dedicated to advancing women in the field through focus groups, webinars, and workshops, and Pathways to Science and Medicine (web), fostering connections between MGH/HMS professionals and Bunker Hill Community College students from underrepresented communities. Furthermore, she actively contributes as a Board Member for Families for Depression Awareness (IG, web)—an organization dedicated to helping families recognize and cope with depression and bipolar disorder, aiming to promote well-being and prevent suicides. She is committed to destigmatizing mental health needs, especially for students.

Rose’s book recommendations: Mommy Brain by Dr. Jodi Pawluski and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

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Follow Science on Trial [and Error] on Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠

If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee here - Thanks :)

Look for Kasia's BookTube channel Reading In-Between ⁠here⁠.

Music and Sound Engineering: Lukasz Kowalski