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By scienceontrialanderror
The podcast currently has 21 episodes available.
What does a data scientist do? How does the work environment in a start-up contrast with that in academia? What challenges await those who switch scientific disciplines? How to stay involved with the scientific community beyond academia?
The typical academic path involves numerous transitions—changing projects, labs, and institutes. Mobility is not only encouraged but often rewarded, as seen in grant criteria. While such changes can broaden your scientific perspective and expose you to different work cultures, they also come with various difficulties and challenges.
Our guest, Ryan Cubero, is no stranger to significant changes. He moved from the Philippines to Italy to further his education, shifted his scientific focus from Physics to Biology and then to Neuroscience, and most recently transitioned from academia to a start-up company as a data scientist.
In our conversation, Ryan reflects on his journey, beginning with his seemingly fate-driven decision to study Physics. This was followed by his venture into the complex world of Biology, prompted by an autoimmune disorder diagnosis. Throughout, he identifies an underlying pattern behind his decisions. Ryan candidly discusses the challenges he faced during his many transitions: feelings of isolation, hesitancy to ask for help, and the struggle to learn new scientific languages and concepts.
Later, Kasia and Ryan delve into the questions they pondered when considering leaving academia. Ryan shares his methods for staying connected with science, explains how his passion for home microscopy began, and offers advice to others seeking to change their lives or careers. The conversation is rich with book recommendations, laughter, and important insights into research culture.
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If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee here - Thanks :)
Find Ryan on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Ryan Cubero comes from the Philippines, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Physics. He then moved to Trieste, Italy, to obtain a Diploma in Condensed Matter Physics at the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). His growing interest in Biology led him to pursue a PhD in Statistical Physics, focusing on mRNA interaction, through a joint project between ICTP and the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in Trondheim, Norway. Subsequently, he joined the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) as a postdoctoral fellow, a position he held until July 2023.
Currently, Ryan is a Data Scientist and Bioinformatician at QUANTRO Therapeutics, a start-up dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapeutics that target disease-causing transcriptional programs in cancer and other diseases.
In his free time, Ryan is a passionate microscopist and actively participates in Citizen Science initiatives. During our conversation, he discusses Crowd Preprint Reviewing, an initiative spearheaded by ASAPBio review (check it out!)
Ryan’s book recommendations:
- When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut
- When Einstein Walked with Gödel by Jim Holt
- The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee
- The Spike by Mark Humphries
- Birth of a Theorem: A Mathematical Adventure by Cedric Villani
Follow Science on Trial [and Error] on Instagram and LinkedIn
If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee here - Thanks :)
Look for Kasia's BookTube channel Reading In-Between here
Music and Sound Engineering: Lukasz Kowalski
contact: [email protected]
What does a CSO of a biotech company do on a day-to-day basis? How much truth lies behind the common stereotypes about working in the biotech industry? What can make you stand out as a candidate for a biotech industry job?
Step into the dynamic world of biotech with our latest episode as we debunk common myths and uncover the realities of working in this vibrant industry. Our guest is Peggy Sotiropoulou,
In our conversation, she explained what was most relevant in her informed decision process and how she explored the different options. Peggy shares her insights on what it truly means to be a CSO, revealing the intricacies of developing scientific strategies and navigating the hiring process.
In this engaging conversation, Peggy and Kasia explore the nuances of transitioning from academic research to the industry world, shedding light on the lessons academia can learn from biotech. From Peggy's unexpected beginnings as a travel magazine writer to her current role as a leader in biotech, her story is a testament to ambition, resilience, and foresight.
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If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee here - Thanks :)
Find Peggy on LinkedIn.
Peggy Sotiropoulou obtained her PhD degree at Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Center in Athens, Greece. She then progressed through 2 postdoctoral positions moving from Athens to Brussels spanning short 4 years. After that she secured a tenured position of Research Associate Professor at FNRS (Funds for Scientific Research) in Brussels leading a team investigating Cancer initiation, growth and resistance to therapy. However, she decided to leave her academic position and transitioned to industry. Spending 3 years at Celyad Oncology, she swiftly ascended from R&D Manager to the role of Head of R&D. Today she is the Chief Scientific Officer CSO at T-Knife Therapeutics, a biotech company dedicated to pioneering novel cancer therapeutics, particularly supercharged TCR-Ts T-cell receptor therapies.
Peggy’s movie recommendation: movies of Yorgos Lanthymos
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Follow Science on Trial [and Error] on Instagram and LinkedIn
If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee here - Thanks :)
Look for Kasia's BookTube channel Reading In-Between here.
Music and Sound Engineering: Lukasz Kowalski
What does a Human Factors Engineer do? What can lead to a decision to exit academia, and what can drive someone to share their transition publicly? What are the do's & don'ts of job hunting?
Our guest is Ashley Ruba - an American researcher, currently working as a Human Factors Engineer at Arthrex. Ashley is also a founder of After Academia, a coach and a career strategist advising fellow PhDs seeking to transition out of academia and supporting them in launching fulfilling non-academic careers.
In this episode, Ashley provides a glimpse into her daily life and work experiences. She demystifies the world of UX Research and shares the true story behind the origins of Human Factors Engineering. Ashley and Kasia discuss the often-ignored toll of academic careers on mental health. From the pressures and toxic culture of academia to the self-rediscovery found in leaving, Ashley shares the challenges she faced for speaking out during her transition and navigating the subsequent backlash.
But this conversation isn't just about career choices - keep listening till the end where it gets even more personal and insightful. In a candid moment, Ashley reveals her recent autism diagnosis and the impact it had on her perception of self and interactions with others. Together, Kasia and Ashley engage in a heartfelt dialogue about destigmatizing health issues and advocating for workplace accommodations, emphasizing that no job is worth sacrificing mental health. As the conversation unfolds, Ashley reflects on her aspiration to write a memoir, tracing her path of growth, self-discovery, and the embrace of a growth mindset.
Tune in as Ashley offers invaluable resources, identifies common pitfalls to avoid, and imparts strategies for navigating career transitions. As Ashley said: You have all the answers that you’re looking for. Get out of your own way! Enjoy and welcome Ashley Ruba!
If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee here - Thanks :)
Find Ashley and sign up for her newsletter through her website, but also on LinkedIn, Twitter (X) and Instagram.
Ashley earned her MS and PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle, followed by a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She decided to leave her academic career a little bit over 2 years ago. Frustrated by the job insecurity and political nature of academia, she decided to speak out rather than quietly fade away like so many others. Ashley’s candid posts detailing her career transition went viral, sparking conversations and requests for advice from hundreds of individuals in similar situations. She then briefly worked in Consulting before starting as UX Researcher at Meta.
Today, Ashley not only navigates her own career path but also extends a guiding hand to fellow PhDs. She is the founder of After Academia, a platform dedicated to offering coaching, strategic advice, and support to those seeking to transition out of academia and into fulfilling non-academic careers.
Ashley’s book recommendations: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao; $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi
Follow Science on Trial [and Error] on Instagram and LinkedIn
If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee here - Thanks :)
Look for Kasia's BookTube channel Reading In-Between here.
Music and Sound Engineering: Lukasz Kowalski
What does the position of Product Manager entail? What makes someone who has a good chance of becoming a PI leave academia? How to deal with imposter syndrome during big career transitions?
Our guest is Rose De Guzman - a Filipino-American scientist, currently working as a Product Manager at Evident Scientific. Rose is a passionate advocate for making science more accessible. In her current role, she is dedicated to improving the lives of researchers. Through her mentoring initiatives, she seeks to empower women scientists and help students from historically marginalized backgrounds find their paths.
Rose and Kasia delve into the challenges of exploring diverse career paths, refining academic resumes for non-academic roles, and recount surprising experiences that can help in getting a job. They offer advice on seeking assistance, navigating potential pitfalls, and strategizing the transition process. Rose discusses her own career redirection, revealing what she discovered about herself in the journey beyond academia. In the latter part of the interview, Rose and Kasia bond over their shared experiences as first-generation Ph.D. holders. Finally, Rose shares her deep-seated motivations for giving back - to her family, her community, and society as a whole - while also sharing her big dream aspirations.
Expect laughter, honesty but also tears. Oh and books recommendations (of course). As Rose said: Sometimes it only really takes one person to change your path. Enjoy and welcome Rose de Guzman!
Find Rose on Instagram and LinkedIn
Rose's journey began in the Philippines, where she witnessed first-hand how poverty stifled educational opportunities. Moving to the US at a young age, her family became her bedrock of strength and motivation as she pursued her scientific endeavors. She proudly stands as a first-generation PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University at Albany NY. She also pursued a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Mass General Hospital - Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Rose is the founder of two impactful mentoring initiatives: Women in Neuroscience (IG), dedicated to advancing women in the field through focus groups, webinars, and workshops, and Pathways to Science and Medicine (web), fostering connections between MGH/HMS professionals and Bunker Hill Community College students from underrepresented communities. Furthermore, she actively contributes as a Board Member for Families for Depression Awareness (IG, web)—an organization dedicated to helping families recognize and cope with depression and bipolar disorder, aiming to promote well-being and prevent suicides. She is committed to destigmatizing mental health needs, especially for students.
Rose’s book recommendations: Mommy Brain by Dr. Jodi Pawluski and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
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Follow Science on Trial [and Error] on Instagram and LinkedIn
If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee here - Thanks :)
Look for Kasia's BookTube channel Reading In-Between here.
Music and Sound Engineering: Lukasz Kowalski
Why was Science on Trial [and Error] on a long break? What is coming in the new season?
In this special Prequel episode, Kasia Kuzmicz-Kowalska opens up in a candid self-interview, addressing the reasons behind the extended break of the show. She reflects on her personal journey, navigating the challenges of completing her PhD while prioritizing her mental and physical well-being. The driving force behind the upcoming season's theme, Beyond Academia, is unveiled as Kasia shares her motivations and aspirations for the show's future direction.
Additionally, be ready to have your curiosity piqued with a sneak peek of the diverse lineup of guests scheduled for upcoming episodes and to hear about Kasia’s latest project inspired by her love for books.
Follow Science on Trial [and Error] on @Instagram and @LinkedIn
Look for Kasia's BookTube channel Reading In-Between here.
Music and Sound Engineering: Lukasz Kowalski
In this new introduction get to know the host of Science on Trial [and Error], Kasia Kuzmicz-Kowalska, and find out more about the podcast.
The podcast currently has 21 episodes available.