In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Sharron Cox sits down with Wendy Winckler, a pioneer in cancer genomics and a leader at the forefront of early cancer detection. From her first spark of scientific curiosity in preschool—dreaming of the stars—to a transformative summer that led her to genetics, Wendy shares a powerful journey shaped by passion, perseverance, and the power of collaboration.

Wendy walks us through her career—from academia to high-impact industry roles—and her current work at Droplet Biosciences, where she’s helping revolutionize early cancer detection through the analysis of lymphatic fluid. Along the way, she reflects on what it means to be part of "something big," the lessons she’s learned in the startup world, and why multidisciplinary teamwork is vital to scientific breakthroughs.

Whether you're a PhD student plotting your path, a biotech founder navigating innovation, or just curious about the future of cancer diagnostics—this episode is full of insight and inspiration.

Chapters

00:00 Journey into Science: Wendy Winckler's Path

06:24 The Evolution of Cancer Genetics

12:20 Transitioning from Pharma to Startup

17:59 Innovations in Cancer Diagnostics

22:14 Future Aspirations and Leadership Insights