MicroBios: The Biology Career Podcast

There are SO MANY jobs available for biologists in QA and QC. But, what is it? What is the difference between the two? What are some of the challenges for working in this sort of oversight role in industry? In this episode, we interview Monica Smith, a scientist who has worked in this field for nearly two decades. She answers these questions and discusses her non-linear path to her current career. Enjoy!

Working in industry is exciting, lucrative, and fun. But, working in this field brings some unique challenges as well. In this update with Kyle Sparta, we learn about some big changes that happened in his career over the last few months. For more information, other episodes, and resources for finding a career in biology, check out our website: www.bionavigators.org!

Kyle Sparta has been working at Foundation Medicine since 2020. This company is a leader in precision medicine: an  approach to treating diseases that is highly personalized, focusing on a patient's genes, environment, and lifestyle. In this episode, we hear about the importance of a good network, the future of precision medicine for cancer, and how Kyle found his way into a career that saves lives every day without working directly with patients.

Dr. Chanona has worked in a variety of fields supporting the growth of scientific businesses. He moved to the US at 18 and quickly earned his BA and MS degrees. He then taught high school for a year, started a PhD at UNC Chapel Hill, and ultimately created his own perfect career at the intersection of biology and business.

Dr. Meyer has worked for a variety of companies and foundations at the intersection of health, food, and science. In this episode,  she discusses her work, the role of mentors, and the challenges of graduate school among many other topics.

Dr. David Rivers is a Professor of Biology and Forensics at Loyola University Maryland. In this episode, he explains what he does as a small college professor, how he became a forensics expert, and how he discovered the right career path.