BCLA's 10th Annual Bioscience Talent Connection

The 10th Annual Bioscience Talent Connection (BTC) took place on Monday, May 19th, 2025, at UCLA’s Ackerman Ballroom. This milestone event continued BCLA’s tradition of offering insightful guidance from professionals in the bioscience industry. The day began with opening remarks from BCLA leadership, setting an inspiring tone for the program.

The day started off with a panel titled “What I Wish I Knew Before I Left Academia”, where professionals shared candid insights on transitioning from academia to industry. Moderated by BCLA’s VP Karishma Chhugani, the discussion featured Lindsay Williams, (Sales and Business Development Manager, MIFI Bioceuticals), Elisabeth Rutledge, (Business Development Manager, Amgen), Libère J. Ndacayisaba, (Co-founder of Stealth-mode Biotech), and Yasaman Moradi, (Research Scientist, Fujifilm Irvine Scientific). They offered practical advice on navigating job searches, managing expectations, and the emotional challenges of the shift, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and the power of networking to find roles aligned with personal values and skills.

The discussion also addressed common misconceptions about working in industry. For some, the transition meant unexpectedly applying soft skills like negotiation, presentation design, and stakeholder alignment—abilities that aren’t always cultivated in academic environments. Others noted how entrepreneurial mindsets and extracurricular involvement, such as student organizations and industry internships, helped lay the groundwork for their post-PhD success. Across roles—from business development and licensing to R&D—panelists highlighted the growing importance of communication, interdisciplinary thinking, and a baseline understanding of the business of science.

One recurring theme was the value of starting career preparation early. Several panelists shared that building a strong LinkedIn presence, conducting informational interviews, and engaging with communities like BCLA opened doors that traditional job applications couldn’t. Others shared how internships and tech transfer roles provided low-pressure entry points into business functions that later proved instrumental.

As the conversations drew to a close and pivoted to the Career Spotlights, panelists reflected on their journeys with refreshing honesty. Many acknowledged experiencing imposter syndrome—both during their PhDs and in their new roles—but stressed that confidence grows with time and practice. Their final message: industry success isn’t about being fully prepared from day one. It’s about staying open, curious, and strategic, while leaning into opportunities to grow, connect, and contribute.

The Career Spotlights that followed brought these themes to life, as speakers shared personal stories of their career trajectory into diverse paths, and how curiosity, adaptability, and communication help them navigate such roles.

Gabriela Barrios, Assistant Director at UCLA Graduate Career Services, spoke about the pivotal role university career centers play in helping graduate students and postdocs prepare for industry. She outlined resources like resume and cover letter reviews, workshops, and one-on-one advising, emphasizing that even confident job seekers can benefit from professional insights. Barrios also highlighted how career centers maintain valuable industry connections and host events like BTC and career fairs that open doors to opportunities. Her talk encouraged attendees to make use of these often-underutilized resources early and proactively.

Alejandro Martorell transitioned from a postdoc at UCLA to project management in the biotech industry at Kite Pharma as a Senior Project Manager, after nearly a decade at the bench. Recognizing that his resume needed an edge to gain traction without prior industry experience, he pursued a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which opened doors to his first role at Rakuten Medical. Consequently, Martorell emphasized the importance of framing academic research as informal project management experience and underscored that success in industry comes not just from technical know-how, but from soft skills like leadership, adaptability, and relationship-building.

Biyao Zou, who holds a PhD in epidemiology and clinical research from Stanford, provided an insightful narrative of her career trajectory from academic research to McKinsey & Company and then to Amgen. She highlighted how her consulting background refined her communication, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement abilities, which she now integrates with her scientific training to drive strategic initiatives. Zou’s talk illuminated how PhDs can find fulfilling careers at the intersection of data science, research, and business, and encouraged attendees to explore diverse paths while staying grounded in their core interests and values.

Paige Zhang shared how her background as a scientific researcher naturally led her into patent prosecution, where she now works as a patent analyst in the Patent Prosecution Group at Morrison Foerster LLP, helping biotech inventors secure intellectual property rights. She described the role as a unique blend of science and law that allows her to remain engaged with cutting-edge scientific developments without the narrow constraints of academia. Zhang also offered practical advice for students and international candidates on navigating the path into patent law, emphasizing flexibility and persistence in building the necessary skills and credentials.

Mark Wisniewski recounted his career evolution from academic immunology research into leadership and entrepreneurship within the biopharmaceutical industry. He emphasized the crucial role scientific expertise plays in driving biotech innovation and successful commercialization, alongside business acumen and strategic networking. Wisniewski highlighted how his connections at UCLA Technology Development Group and his focus on merging science with management enabled him to fund companies and guide product development, illustrating a dynamic model for scientists transitioning into biotech leadership roles.

Scott Churchman described his transition from working as an analytical chemist and research scientist to a Senior Sales position at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where his deep technical knowledge helps him connect with customers in the life sciences field. He stressed that understanding laboratory processes and scientific challenges firsthand gives him credibility and insight to better serve clients and grow business opportunities. Scott’s journey showcases how a strong foundation in science can be leveraged into impactful commercial careers in the biotech and analytical instruments industry.

The event concluded with a networking lunch, where attendees had the opportunity to connect directly with representatives from participating companies. This informal setting allowed for meaningful conversations, relationship-building, and a deeper understanding of career paths across the bioscience industry.

A heartfelt thank you to all the speakers for sharing their insights, the attendees for their enthusiasm and engagement, and the participating companies for their generous time and support. Special thanks to our participating organizations, including Magnify Incubator, Keck Graduate Institute, LA BioSpace, Amgen, EPAM Systems, City of Hope, Petri Bio, Metaba, MAX BioPharma, ZS, GrittGene Therapeutics, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Your contributions made BTC 2025 a meaningful and impactful event for the BCLA community.