Inside Biotech

In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with Eileen, a UC Irvine PhD candidate and member of the BCLA Consulting team, to explore biotech investment trends across the U.S. in 2026. We discuss shifts in early- and late-stage venture funding, the rise of licensing and M&A activity, growing investment in AI and biologics, and changing trends across therapeutic modalities. Eileen also shares insights from BCLA’s Card News research and discusses what these trends could mean for biotech startups, investors, consultants, and the future of innovation.

BCLA Card News: https://www.bc-la.org/about-3

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Becoming a Better Scientific Writer

In this episode of Inside Biotech, hosts Riley Conover Elmer and Karishma Chhugani discuss what makes scientific writing effective and how researchers can become better writers. They explore the importance of clarity, storytelling, and balancing technical language with accessibility.

Riley and Karishma also share practical tips for becoming a better reader, efficiently navigating scientific literature, organizing important papers, and identifying key findings and limitations. They wrap up with strategies for staying motivated, setting writing goals, structuring manuscripts, and collaborating with co-authors and mentors.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, or simply looking to strengthen your scientific communication skills, this episode offers practical advice for becoming a more confident scientific writer.

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In this episode of Inside Biotech, Karishma Chhugani sits down with Rene Hubert, PhD, Scientific Director of Early Career Talent and Academic Engagement at Amgen, to discuss the experiences that shaped his journey from first-generation student to biotech leader. Rene reflects on overcoming financial hardship, language barriers, self-doubt, and setbacks while staying focused on his lifelong mission to make an impact on patients through science.

Rene also shares his practical five-point plan for building a successful career in biotech, emphasizing the importance of internships, embracing challenges, networking, identifying your unique strengths, and developing a personal mantra that keeps you motivated through difficult times. Whether you’re a student exploring career options or an early-career scientist looking for guidance, this inspiring conversation offers valuable lessons on resilience, mentorship, and creating a meaningful career in biotechnology.

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Strong scientific presentations are about more than sharing data they’re about making your research clear, engaging, and memorable. In this solo Host Chat episode of Inside Biotech, co-host Riley Conover-Elmer explores practical strategies for creating presentations that effectively communicate complex scientific ideas to a variety of audiences. Whether you’re preparing for a lab meeting, conference talk, thesis defense, or industry presentation, Riley shares techniques that can help you present your work with confidence and clarity.

Throughout the episode, Riley discusses everything from organizing figures and designing cleaner, more effective slides to tailoring your message for your audience and handling challenging Q&A sessions with professionalism. Drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned throughout her scientific career, she offers actionable advice that researchers at every stage can immediately apply to improve both their presentations and their overall science communication skills.

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In this episode of Inside Biotech, we sit down with Philip Sell, founder of Metaba, a biotech company focused on developing new approaches to combat drug-resistant infections, including tuberculosis.We dive into the founding story of Metaba, exploring the problem the company aims to solve and the scientific strategy behind its approach. Philip discusses the challenges of transitioning from a research-focused background to leading a startup, as well as the realities of building a biotech company from the ground up.

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NEW HOSTS CHAT EPISODE

Listen now and join the conversation.

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Live from BPI West 🎙️

This week on Inside Biotech, Riley Elmer sits down with Andrew Bender from Atlas, Sage Aronson from Kymo Co, and Yogesh Brahmecha from Janux Therapeutics for a conversation on AI wearables, metabolism and inflammation, cancer immunotherapy, and the future of biotech innovation.

From machine learning and translational oncology to drug discovery and entrepreneurship, this panel dives into the interdisciplinary future of biotech.

Hosted by Riley Elmer. 🧬

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In this episode, Karishma interviews Tim, a patent litigator at Mintz, discussing his journey from a potential medical career to law, the skills gained in law school, and the intersection of biotechnology and law. Tim shares insights on his current role, the importance of scientific knowledge in patent law, and the challenges of explaining complex scientific concepts in legal contexts. He also offers advice for aspiring lawyers and reflects on the future of biotech and patent law in the LA ecosystem.

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What actually makes a good mentor, and how do you find one who’s right for you? In this episode of Inside Biotech, new host Riley explores how mentorship shapes scientific careers, sharing five key principles for building strong mentor–mentee relationships. Drawing from personal experience, the conversation highlights aligning values, looking beyond expertise, and embracing productive tension to support growth in science. Perfect for graduate students and early-career researchers navigating advisor relationships, lab culture, and long-term career development in academia or industry.

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In this episode, Gabriella Rubert joins the Biotech Connection Los Angeles team for a thoughtful conversation reflecting on her journey as a host of the Inside Biotech podcast. Together, they explore the challenges and rewards of science communication, the responsibility of making complex scientific topics accessible, and the impact storytelling has in connecting the biotech community with the public. The discussion highlights the importance of networking, mentorship, and embracing non-linear career paths in science, while also touching on personal growth, confidence, and the value of asking for help along the way. As the episode marks a meaningful transition, Gabriella reflects on her experiences behind the mic and passes the torch to the next generation of Inside Biotech hosts.

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