In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we’re joined by Engie Salama, a passionate scientist and Program Manager at Xencor, where she leads teams working on cutting-edge immuno-oncology therapies. Engie’s journey from the lab bench to biotech program management is a masterclass in navigating career pivots, developing leadership skills, and finding purpose in the life sciences industry.

We dive into:
🌱 How Engie transitioned from scientific research to program management.
🧬 The mindset shifts that helped her grow in her career.
🎯 Her advice for students and early professionals exploring careers in biotech.
🌐 The importance of communication and cross-functional collaboration in life sciences.

Whether you're a student exploring biotech, a young professional finding your fit, or a scientist curious about leadership, this episode is packed with insights that can help you think bigger.

🎧 Listen now and unlock a fresh perspective on building a meaningful biotech career.In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we’re joined by Engie Salama, a passionate scientist and Program Manager at Xencor, where she leads teams working on cutting-edge immuno-oncology therapies. Engie’s journey from the lab bench to biotech program management is a masterclass in navigating career pivots, developing leadership skills, and finding purpose in the life sciences industry.

We dive into:
🌱 How Engie transitioned from scientific research to program management.
🧬 The mindset shifts that helped her grow in her career.
🎯 Her advice for students and early professionals exploring careers in biotech.
🌐 The importance of communication and cross-functional collaboration in life sciences.

Whether you're a student exploring biotech, a young professional finding your fit, or a scientist curious about leadership, this episode is packed with insights that can help you think bigger.

🎧 Listen now and unlock a fresh perspective on building a meaningful biotech career.

In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Dave Whelan, Chief Business Officer at Big4Bio, to talk about how you can do more than just join biotech—you can shape it. With a career spanning Stanford, UCLA Anderson, startups, VC, digital health, and wellness innovation, Dave has helped bring breakthrough health ideas to life and built thriving biotech communities along the way.

We dive into:
🔹 How to filter opportunities and choose the right career path
🔹 Why strategy, connection, and ecosystem building are the real superpowers in biotech
🔹 The biggest green flags (and red flags) when evaluating founders, startups, or your next move
🔹 What students and early-career professionals need to know about the real biotech landscape

🚀 Bonus:
As he shared at the end of the episode, Dave is offering It’s Bigger Than Biotech listeners free lifetime access to his value-based healthcare courses! Use the promo codes below by May 29:

• Introduction to Value-Based Healthcare
  https://www.udemy.com/course/valueintel-intro-premium/?couponCode=IBTB-INTRO

• The 3 Keys to Improving Quality in Value-Based Healthcare
  https://www.udemy.com/course/quality-in-value-based-healthcare/?couponCode=IBTB-QUALITY

All we ask is that you leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review to encourage others to check it out too!

🎧 Hit play to learn how to think bigger, build smarter, and carve your own space in the future of biotech.

What if finding your “why” was the first step toward building something that actually matters?

In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Mandika Swartz and Keshav Soni, two student founders who turned a shared frustration with healthcare into Halo Medical Solutions—a fast-growing startup helping physicians reclaim hours of their day with AI-powered documentation tools.

But this episode goes beyond startups and technology. We dive deep into:
🧭 How to find your purpose (even when you're still figuring things out)
💭 Why your “why” will evolve—and how to grow with it
⚙️ Building meaningful solutions in healthcare without a life sciences degree
🧠 Tackling burnout, identity shifts, and career uncertainty as young professionals
🌍 The power of solving real problems, not just chasing titles

Whether you’re feeling stuck, uncertain about your path, or just trying to connect the dots between what you do and why it matters—this conversation is your sign to start asking better questions.

🎧 Hit play. You might just get one step closer to your why.

Most people think a science degree locks you into the lab forever.

Tae Sung is proof that it doesn’t have to.

In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, Tae shares how he went from pipetting at the bench to managing multi-million dollar oncology research projects at Pfizer — one of the biggest biotech companies in the world.

We get into:
→ Why your technical skills alone won’t get you promoted
→ How to transition from scientist to strategy leader
→ What project management in biotech actually looks like
→ Lessons from working at Janssen, Zentalis, and Pfizer
→ The #1 mindset shift students & young scientists need to grow fast

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a science degree into a leadership role — or how people really move from the lab to the boardroom — this is your playbook.

Does anyone in your family have diabetes? Chances are, they’ve used a blood sugar monitor designed by Dr. Laurence (Larry) Katz—or a therapy he helped bring to market. In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, Dr. Katz pulls back the curtain on a decades-long career in pharmaceutical innovation, where he's helped launch life-saving products at companies like Johnson & Johnson, LifeScan, and multiple biotech startups.

We dive into what it actually takes to turn an idea into an FDA-approved drug, the difference in mindset required to succeed in Big Pharma vs. startups, and the behind-the-scenes decision-making that shapes the therapies millions rely on. Dr. Katz also shares honest, no-fluff advice for students and early-career professionals, including what skills truly matter, how to stand out in clinical development, and why cross-functional thinking and strategy are just as important as science.

If you’ve ever wondered how biotech leaders make high-stakes calls, how AI and digital tools are reshaping clinical trials, or what it looks like to build a career that genuinely impacts patients—this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

🎧 Listen now. Your future self will thank you.

In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Dr. Lawrence Liberti, a seasoned expert in regulatory science and global drug development, to explore one of the most essential—but often overlooked—career paths in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Dr. Liberti breaks down:

• What a career in regulatory affairs actually looks like
• How regulatory science shapes which drugs reach patients—and when
• Opportunities for students to get involved in drug approval, policy, and public health
• How to build a career that spans industry, academia, and global health organizations

If you're a student or early-career professional curious about bringing therapies to market, working with the FDA or international agencies, or making a real impact in global health, this episode is your blueprint.

Link to the D.K. Kim International Center for Regulatory Science

Link to the https://frpath.org/

In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Brielan Smiechowski, Founder and Managing Partner of BS Strategy. With a background in epidemiology and a passion for health equity, Brielan shares her journey from academia to consulting, discussing how data-driven decision-making is shaping the future of healthcare.

We dive into the evolving landscape of healthcare consulting, the role of AI and patient education, and how mindset influences treatment outcomes. Brielan also sheds light on the challenges of brand development in consulting, the importance of articulating evidence-based insights, and her vision for empowering healthcare leaders.

Whether you're a student exploring careers in biotech, a professional navigating industry trends, or simply curious about the intersection of public health, strategy, and innovation, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Episode Description:

In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Dr. Farhad Parhami, Founder & CEO of MAX BioPharma, to discuss his journey from PhD and MBA student to biotech leader. We explore his work pioneering oxysterol-based therapeutics for MASH, atherosclerosis, and bone regeneration, as well as the challenges of launching a biotech startup.

Dr. Parhami shares insights on breaking into biotech, transitioning from academia to industry, and the future of small molecule therapies. Whether you're a student, professional, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Philip Sell, CEO & Co-Founder of Metaba, a biotech company leveraging metabolomics to combat infectious diseases like tuberculosis and COVID-19. Philip shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the role of metabolomics in drug development, and the challenges of building a biotech startup. Whether you're a student exploring biotech careers or a professional eyeing a transition, this episode is packed with insights on the future of biopharmaceuticals. Tune in now!

In this episode of It's Bigger Than Biotech, we chat with Chloe Duckworth, Co-founder and CEO of Valence Vibrations, a voice AI company at the forefront of neurotechnology and affective computing. Chloe shares her inspiring journey from computational neuroscience at USC to founding a startup that redefines emotional communication. She also discusses her passion for social impact through her non-profit, Hope Hearted, and offers valuable insights on transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship. Tune in for an engaging conversation about innovation, resilience, and the future of neurotech.