In this second episode of the Pathways in Life Science podcast, the Pat switches gears from celebrating life science professionals to highlight the struggles faced by Kaitlyn Sy, a courageous young woman battling a rare autoimmune disease and the American health insurance industry. Kaitlyn shares her roller-coaster journey from diagnosis to finding the right medication, only to be hit with an $8,000 monthly price tag not covered by insurance. Her medical saga evolves into a heartwarming story of community support that ultimately helps her obtain the life-saving treatment. Kaitlyn's narrative underscores the dire need for accessible healthcare in the U.S. and presents a powerful call to action for systemic change.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:04 Meet Kaitlyn Sy: A Courageous Fighter
02:15 Kaitlyn's Medical Journey Begins
07:22 The Struggle with Insurance
09:44 Community Support and Advocacy
15:11 The Bigger Picture: Access to Treatment
17:54 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this chat, Patrick interviews Sarah, a sales manager at Atelerix, about her unpredictable career journey. Sarah initially pursued a degree in biotechnology but quickly realized academia wasn't her calling. Her year-long stint at Procter & Gamble in dishwashing detergent formulation left her with a strong aversion to dishwashers. 
After struggling to find work during the 2009 financial crisis, she worked as a carer and later as a science coordinator in schools, where she discovered her knack for recruitment. Despite her vow to avoid sales, she spent 12 years in recruitment, finally becoming intrigued by Atelerix's innovative technology. 
Through perseverance, she landed her current role, focusing on building relationships and promoting groundbreaking cell preservation products. Along the way, she encountered quirky jobs, like recruiting armpit sniffers and quality assurance testers for condoms. Sarah attributes her success to her ability to connect with people and seize opportunities, even when they come with bizarre stories!