Dr. Katrina Choe

Biotech Connection Los Angeles was founded in 2014 by Dr. Katrina Choe and Dr. Stefanie Volland. Today, a decade later, it has grown into an impactful organization of 20-30 graduate students and postdocs that continues to promote and foster the growth of Los Angeles as a biotech hub. BCLA now includes a network of over 8000 students and professionals, a Consulting team, and produces the podcast Inside Biotech. To celebrate a decade of educating, connecting, and inspiring, we are checking in with previous Leadership of BCLA to ask them about their time in leadership and their perspective on BCLA’s impact in Los Angeles.

This week, we interviewed Katrina Choe, the aforementioned co-founder of BCLA in 2014, who also served as Events Lead for two years from 2014 to 2016. During Katrina’s time as a postdoc, she became interested in exploring the industry side of research and biotech. She recalls thinking,  “‘If I don’t continue into academia, what else is out there?’ And I wanted to prepare for that before it was decision time.” Eager to be well-prepared for the career decisions ahead, she began attending networking events to explore her options. Initially, she was drawn to joining an organization that catered to her interests. However, when that organization disbanded, she connected with Stephanie Volland and other members who were in the process of rebranding into Biotech Connection Los Angeles (BCLA). Shortly thereafter, Yari assumed the role of Vice President, completing the three-person Executive Board.

While founding a new non-profit on top of academic research may sound daunting and demanding, the first adjective Katrina gives to describe her efforts founding and volunteering with BCLA is “fun.” Reflecting on her early days, she shared that one of the most gratifying aspects was learning about different facets of research beyond her original focus. The personal connections BCLA enabled and information about the business of scientific research, professional communication, and other variables that all interplay for scientific develop contributed to the joy and excitement she experienced during those days and remain some of her most cherished memories. Additionally, working as a leader within the team proved to be a transformative experience for her professional development. The collaborative environment and the responsibility of leading a team provided her with invaluable insights into the dynamics of leadership and team management that she still exercises today as an academic PI. Throughout her journey, the opportunity to learn about leadership, management, communication, and professional norms in a supportive environment was profoundly impactful. “BCLA provided a mistake-friendly environment focused on growth,” she noted. This setting was particularly valuable for academic researchers who may not have been previously exposed to such experiences.

One BCLA event that stands out in her memory is the Healthcare Summit. “I always loved the Healthcare Summit, because that’s what I was most passionate about.” She expressed how exciting it was to bring a professional community together around a specific forefront of biotech developments in heathcare - with complementing areas of expertise, experience, and influence - with a shared goal of moving forward and improving. She emphasized how this event was unique in its ability to rally professionals, experts, and graduate students around groundbreaking research. Hearing that the Heathcare Summit is still ongoing brings her immense satisfaction, as it continues to uphold the mission of advancing research and innovation.

Currently, Katrina works as a Principal Invesigator at McMaster University in Canada researching the integrative neurobiology of social behavior, or how genes in the brain can influence and contribute to psychiatric and neurological disorders. When asked about what influenced her decision to pursue academic research rather than in the biotech industry, she expresses it was rooted in her passion for her current research focus, and her enthusiasm was palpable. She remembered thinking at the end of her postdoc work,  “For the next 10 or 20 years, I could see myself doing this,” with a contagious smile. “I found my passion in that project.”

 As Katrina looks back, it’s clear that her time with BCLA holds a special place in her heart. The skills she developed and the memories she made continue to influence her professional and personal life. “I’m so happy to see [BCLA] still going strong and carrying on all the missions that were important when we started out,” she concluded. Katrina’s story of BCLA’s early days serves as a testament to the lasting impact that a passionate and supportive community can have on an individual’s career and personal development. She remains a shining example of how dedication to one’s work and a commitment to leadership can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career.