Biophysical Society Bulletin | July/August 2023

C a Ar enenruDael vMe el oept imn ge n t

Careers Beyond the Bench: Moving to a World Outside the Lab

Peying Fong and Matthias Buck of the Early Careers Commit tee hosted the event “Careers Beyond the Bench: Moving to a World Outside the Lab” during the 2023 Biophysics Week. The event featured a panel discussion in which four esteemed panelists, Giacomo Di Mauro , Pinakin Sukthankar , Lesley Anson , and Elizabeth Crompton , shared their experiences and insights on transitioning from a career in academia to one in industry. Each panelist provided valuable perspectives and highlighted their personal journey in the hopes that it might offer others some insight into their own. These stories and the advice that followed have been summarized below. Di Mauro, a researcher in nuclear magnetic resonance spec troscopy and nanotechnology, began the session explaining how he transitioned from academia to industry without leaving the realm of research. After completing his studies at the University of Michigan, he decided to act upon his long held desire to explore a career outside of the academic world. He first joined a small biotech startup to experience research in an industrial, hands-on setting. Using the diversity of skills and knowledge gained from working at this startup, he even tually transitioned to a contract research organization focus ing on analytical development for micromolecules. Currently, he is helping his company expand into the large-molecule space while researching RNA, DNA, proteins, and synthetic lipid nanoparticles. Sukthankar, an organic chemist, also remained a researcher throughout his transition, but his journey was very different from Di Mauro’s. Sukthankar pursued his PhD at Kansas State University, focusing on membrane peptides and nano deliv ery radiotherapeutics. While working in academia after the completion of his degree, he found that much of his doctoral research had become commercialized. This allowed him to transition into industry via a hybrid research faculty/company scientist position with the company that used his research. He later fully entered the industrial field by joining Entrada Therapeutics as a senior scientist, designing novel nanothera peutic delivery modalities. Anson then recounted her story, showing us how she found something that was, in her words, “involved with science without actually doing science.” After completing her bache lor’s degree, PhD, and postdoctoral research, she realized that a traditional lab-based career did not align with her aspira tions. After a lengthy job search, Anson found a role at the

scientific journal Nature as an Associate Editor. This allowed her to gain valuable skills in scientific publishing and to even tually launch a new journal, Nature Communications . She then applied these skills to create her own editorial and publishing consultancy, assisting scientists in manuscript editing and supporting publishers in various aspects. Crompton, who holds a degree in chemistry and a PhD in organic chemistry, pursued a unique path. Instead of pursuing a postdoc, she accepted a technical advisor position at a law firm. While her stay at this position was brief, it allowed her to gain the knowledge that law was an area of interest for her, resulting in her decision to attend law school while working part-time. Crompton now works as an intellectual property attorney, specializing in lawsuits related to generic phar maceuticals, Food and Drug Administration regulations, and patent applications and providing legal opinions to clients. Although their paths varied, there were key takeaways for aspiring transitioners. First, the panelists highlighted the im portance of perseverance and flexibility during the job search. Their experiences showed that each person’s journey will be unique, as some individuals found suitable positions after a quick, focused search, whereas others took longer to secure a role aligned with their goals. The panelists also emphasized the significance of recognizing the unique skills and knowl edge gained through a scientific background. Identifying these strengths is crucial when exploring opportunities beyond ac ademia. Whether it is research expertise, applied knowledge, or peer networks, leveraging these assets can open doors to various industries and roles. Following one’s intuition and gut feelings was stressed as a guiding principle. If a career in academia does not resonate with an individual, then exploring one’s instincts can lead to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities. The panelists also emphasized the importance of networking and seeking men torship. Building connections within the industry can provide valuable insights, guidance, and potential job opportunities. Engaging with professionals who have successfully transi tioned from academia to industry can offer valuable advice and support throughout the journey. The next session of “Careers Beyond the Bench: Moving to a World Outside the Lab” will be held at the 2024 Annual Meet ing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We hope to see you there!

July/August 2023

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