A Dose of Reality with Charles Spence

Charles Spence
  • 0,0 (0)
  • CARREIRAS
  • SEMANAL
A Dose of Reality with Charles Spence

Welcome to “A Dose of Reality”, the podcast where we infuse insight, laughter, and practical wisdom into the world of clinical leadership and career development. Hosted by Charles Spence, each episode offers a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of clinical leadership, providing listeners with meaningful conversations, career insights, and a dose of inspiration to navigate their professional journeys. Whether you're a director, a C-level executive, or a clinical researcher in oncology bio-techs, this podcast is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in your field. So, visit our website at www.discera-search.com, and tune in to A Dose of Reality for your prescription of career wisdom, leadership insights, and a healthy dose of laughter.  Subscribe now and join us on the journey to becoming global clinical leaders!

  1. 9 DE SET.

    Re-Entering the Workforce and Career Growth in Regulatory Affairs with Mary Christian

    How do you balance a career in regulatory affairs with family life? In this episode, Charles discusses this topic with Mary Christian, the Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Safety at C4 Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on targeted protein degradation. They talk about the importance of effective communication, career development, and work-life balance in the pharmaceutical industry. Mary also offers advice for young mothers and career professionals on making choices that align with their personal and professional goals, highlighting the evolving nature of career and family life. Here's what you're in: 00:02 Introduction and Career Background 07:52 Building Capabilities for Career Reentry 16:42 C4 Therapeutics and Protein Degradation 24:00 Communication in Clinical Trials 28:35 Overcoming Challenges in Decision-Making 35:47 Shifting Perspectives in Career Growth 42:01 Balancing Career and Family Life About Mary Christian Mary Christian, PharmD, MBA, is the Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Safety at C4 Therapeutics, Inc. A passionate and decisive biopharma executive, leader, and advisor, Mary delivers visionary solutions across all phases of drug development. She has demonstrated success in creating, building, and integrating novel capabilities in an international biopharma environment, as well as deconstructing organizations to create fit-for-purpose solutions and value opportunities. Apart from her work, Mary is devoted to mentoring through initiatives like Project Onramp. She has also steered many company changes. On top of her career, she's a proud mom to three accomplished adults and a loving grandmother to four girls. Connect with Mary: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-christianpharmd Website: https://c4therapeutics.com/ About Charles Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with Charles: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

    51min

  2. 2 DE SET.

    From Neuroscientist to Biotech Innovator ft.Anita Scheuber

    Leadership and Diversity in Drug Development with Anita Scheuber. In this episode, Charles talks with Anita Scheuber,the SVP of clinical development at Nimbus Therapeutics—a biotech firm using computational technology to develop medicines. She shares their pioneering work in AI-targeted drug discovery and her experience co-founding the biotech startup Hestia. Anita highlights how different backgrounds help solve problems, the value of mentorship, and how to beat feelings of being an imposter. She also shares tips for strong leadership and gives guidance to budding biotech entrepreneurs. Here's what you're in: 01:01 Anita's Journey to the U.S. 02:35  Switching from Neuroscience to Oncology 07:56 Joining Nimbus Therapeutics 10:07 Why Workplace Diversity Matters 14:56 Founding Hestia-A Startup biotech 24:40 Leadership and Personal Growth 30:14 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 32:16 Final Thoughts and Conclusion About Anita Scheuber Anita Scheuber brings over 15 years of pharmaceutical industry experience to Nimbus, specializing in oncology clinical development. Her expertise spans small molecule and immuno-oncology drug development across various stages and tumor types. She has held leadership positions at Trillium Therapeutics, Boston Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and GSK. She holds an M.D. from the University of Zurich and a Ph.D. in Neurosciences from Sorbonne University, with additional training at Harvard Medical School and Swiss hospitals. Connect with Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-scheuber-8a1a8220/ Website: https://www.nimbustx.com/ About Charles Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with Charles: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

    44min

  3. 26 DE AGO.

    Future-Proofing Your Organization Ft. Jackie Donovan

    In this episode, Charles talks with Jackie Donovan, the VP and Chief Marketing Officer at Syndax Pharmaceuticals, an oncology-focused company. She shares her knowledge about her experiences in consulting, internal pharma roles, and her strategic approach to organizational planning. This conversation also touches on the importance of communication, the challenges of workforce planning, and how to build an efficient and happy organization. Lastly, Jackie shares her passion-driven initiative, Kathy's Fund, which aims to support nurse leaders and honor her mother's legacy. Here's what you're in: 00:31 Jackie's Career as Scottish Parliament to Pharma 06:17 Workforce Planning in Pharma 08:04 Case Study about Syndax Pharmaceuticals 10:48 Workforce Planning Challenges and Benefits 19:29 Organizational Success Reflections 19:37 Future Building 20:03 Workforce Capabilities 22:08 Junior Manager Advice 23:23 Management Communication 24:29 Workforce Transformation Lessons 25:59 Efficiency and Digitalization 28:47 Employee Efficiency Improvement 31:54 HR Partners' Value 38:18 Kathy's Fund and Personal Motivation About Jackie Donovan Jackie Donovan is a seasoned Human Resources leader with a strong background in developing and managing people operations in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, she serves as the VP, CMO Chief of Staff, Development Business Operations at Syndax Pharmaceuticals, where she plays a critical role in driving strategic initiatives. Prior to this, she was the SVP, Head of People at LifeMine Therapeutics, where she led efforts in employee benefits and compensation. Her expertise in aligning stakeholder perspectives and building strong relationships with C-level executives has been key to her success in these roles. Connect with Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-codair-donovan-a6964312/ Website: https://syndax.com/ About Charles Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with Charles: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

    40min

  4. 19 DE AGO.

    The Critical Role of Recruiters ft. Patrizio Renzetti

    Hiring Practices and Transparency in Recruitment In this episode, Charles discuss with Patrizio Renzetti, the former Head of HR at Arrakis Therapeutics that discovers RNA-targeted medicines, the importance of cultural fit, psychological safety, and effective communication in the workplace. He also covers the role of recruiters in bringing diverse perspectives and ensuring a good organizational fit, offering practical tips for both leaders and job seekers to improve their experiences and outcomes. Here's what you're in: 00:00 Introduction and Moving to the US 05:35 The Importance of Cultural Understanding 07:22 Effective Leadership and Communication 13:49 Creating Psychological Safety and Transparency 17:39 Hiring Practices and Transparency 24:27 Recruitment Strategies and Best Practices 24:42 The Shift from Selling to Providing Accurate Information 29:42 Optimizing the Hiring Process 35:33 Building Trust and Collaboration with Recruiters 37:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About Patrizio Renzetti Patrizio Renzetti brings twenty years of HR expertise in creating environments that draw, keep, and grow top talent at fast-growing firms, including top biopharmaceutical companies. He comes to Arrakis from Agios Pharmaceuticals, where he was the Vice President of Human Resources for R&D, Technical Operations, and Europe, after leading Talent Acquisition. Before that, he had senior HR positions at Eli Lilly and Company, working with Global Clinical Development, the Diabetes Business Unit, and the Italian Manufacturing site. Earlier on, he worked in various HR roles for Procter & Gamble in Italy. Connect with Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrizio-renzetti-382125/ About Charles Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with Charles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

    40min

  5. 12 DE AGO.

    Bad Science vs. Good Leadership in Biotech ft. Sonal Kothari-Gupta, MD, PhD

    Cultural Fit vs. Technical Skills: Hiring Strategies for Biotech Startups with Sonal Gupta In this episode, Charles interviews Sonal Gupta, the SVP, Head of Clinical Development of AffyImmune Therapeutics-a biopharmaceutical firm focusing on affinity-tuned CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors. They discuss about how far does a company get with bad science if they have great leaders, the effective leadership strategies in clinical development, and the importance of Cultural Fit in Hiring. She also shares her passion for women in life sciences and her local group aimed at supporting women in the field. Here's what you're in for: 01:30 Sonal's Background and Career Journey 03:21 Introduction to AffyImmune 04:41 Bad Science vs. Bad Leadership 06:52 Clinical Development Leadership 07:58 Making Difficult Decisions in Leadership 20:43 Leadership Journey and Interviewing Experience 21:53 Importance of Cultural Fit in Hiring 27:55 Advice for Junior Leaders 28:53 Passion and Enthusiasm in Interviews 34:57 Quick Fire Questions on Interviewing 36:41 Personal Journey into Medicine 37:38 Women in Leadership and Life Sciences 40:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About Sonal Gupta Sonal Gupta has over 15 years of industry experience, with leadership positions at AVROBIO, CRISPR Therapeutics, and Rubius Therapeutics. She's led teams in translational research and medicine across areas like oncology and rare diseases. Her expertise spans clinical trial design, medical monitoring, and clinical data management, including biomarker strategies. She holds a PhD in cancer research from the University of Bradford, UK, and a medical degree from Government Medical College, Surat, India. Connect with Sonal Gupta: Website:https://affyimmune.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalkotharigupta/ About Charles Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with Charles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

    35min

  6. 5 DE AGO.

    Recruitment Strategies for High-Impact Hires with John Goldener

    In this episode, Charles interviews John Goldener, a former pediatrician who transitioned into a successful career as a pharmaceutical industry recruiter. He specializes in retained executive search for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With over 20-25 years in clinical development recruitment, John shares valuable lessons learned, common mistakes, and effective partnership strategies. This conversation is packed with lessons for both recruiters and candidates aiming to navigate the competitive world of specialized recruitment. Here's what you're in: 00:00 John Goldener Introduction 02:38 Starting a Recruiting Firm 06:06 Building a Network 12:02 Understanding the Science 19:07 The Importance of Retained Search 23:05 Impact of Considerate Recruitment Approaches 24:10 Personalized Interview Process 25:08 Challenges with Contingency Search 26:51 Importance of Candidate Fit 27:50 Quality-Based Recruiting System 30:52 Differences in Hiring Practices 32:31 Biotech vs. Big Pharma Dynamics 41:59 Advice for Job Seekers 46:11 Final Thoughts and Reflections About John Goldener Former pediatrician John Goldener transitioned into a pharmaceutical recruiter with over 20 years of experience and founded his own executive search firm, Goldener Executive Search Associates, focusing on oncology clinical development. With an MD and extensive clinical background, including running his practice and chairing a department, he placed 8-12 candidates yearly, totaling 100+ placements. Known for meticulous research and networking, plus attending key industry conferences, Goldener's expertise covers U.S. and European markets, working with companies like Genentech and numerous biotech firms. He combines medical knowledge with recruiting acumen to provide thorough candidate evaluations and job descriptions. Connect with Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-goldener-aa6642/ About Charles Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with Charles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

    48min

  7. 29 DE JUL.

    Hiring Strategies for Biotech Success ft. Sumeet Ambarkhane CMO at Alligator Bioscience

    In this episode, Sumeet Ambarkhane, the Chief Medical Officer at Alligator Bioscience, which focuses on tumor-targeted immunotherapies, talks about the work his company does in creating new cancer treatments that help the immune system target tumors. He discusses their work on a drug called metazolamab and shares stories from his career, including a big success he had with a special antibody treatment at MorphoSys—a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative medicines. He also talks about important things to consider when hiring people and how the field of developing new medical treatments is changing. Here's what you're in for: 00:50 AI and Industry Trends 01:36 How Sumeet's career in Biotech Started 02:45 Sumeet's Professional Journey and Current Role 05:08 Hard Parts and New Ideas at Alligator Bioscience 14:42 Career Reflections and Lessons Learned 34:30 Tips on Hiring and Making a Good Team 45:29 Wrapping Up and gratitude About Sumeet Ambarkhane Sumeet Ambarkhane has been the Chief Medical Officer at Alligator Bioscience and part of the senior management since 2022. He is an experienced clinical development physician with a strong expertise in Oncology, Hemato-oncology, and Immunology Drug Development. He has in-depth experience in Medical Monitoring, Clinical Program Management, Regulatory Interactions, Translational Research, and Drug Safety. He exhibits high-impact leadership at the organizational level and maintains a global network of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and drug development experts. Connect with Sumeet Ambarkhane: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumeetambarkhane/?originalSubdomain=de Website: https://alligatorbioscience.se/en/ About Charles Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with Charles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

    48min

  8. 22 DE JUL.

    How to Outsource Your Job Search

    In this podcast episode Charles presents a unique approach to job searching by outsourcing various tasks to optimize your time and effort. He discusses the challenges of the current job market, especially with biotech layoffs, and offers practical steps to outsource tasks like finding job adverts and identifying hiring managers. Learn about resources like Upwork, Fiverr, and ChatGPT to streamline your job search. This episode is helpful for anyone looking to improve the quantity and quality of their job applications in a tough market. Here's what you're in for: 01:35 Current Job Market Challenges 03:43 Common Job Search Mistakes 06:55 Outsourcing Your Job Search: An Overview 08:55 Practical Steps for Outsourcing 11:02 Advanced Outsourcing Techniques 12:48 Building a Proactive Job Search Strategy 14:25 Leveraging Technology and Tools 20:23 Creating a Comprehensive Outsourcing Plan 23:47 Cost and Resources for Outsourcing 25:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts About Charles Charles Spence leads Discera, a leading recruitment firm specializing in the biopharma industry. He graduated with a biomedical degree, has worked in hospitals (including translation work in Seoul, South Korea), and also spent years doing diabetes research. After doing research and travel, a career in business and science felt the most appropriate. In 2023, Charles decided to launch his firm - Discera Search. A firm committed to solving the biggest talent needs of early clinical stage SME biotechs on the East Coast and DACH. Connect with Charles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-spence-clinical/ Website: https://www.discera-search.com/

    28min
Ver tudo (27)

Trailer

Sobre

Welcome to “A Dose of Reality”, the podcast where we infuse insight, laughter, and practical wisdom into the world of clinical leadership and career development. Hosted by Charles Spence, each episode offers a deep dive into the challenges and triumphs of clinical leadership, providing listeners with meaningful conversations, career insights, and a dose of inspiration to navigate their professional journeys. Whether you're a director, a C-level executive, or a clinical researcher in oncology bio-techs, this podcast is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in your field. So, visit our website at www.discera-search.com, and tune in to A Dose of Reality for your prescription of career wisdom, leadership insights, and a healthy dose of laughter.  Subscribe now and join us on the journey to becoming global clinical leaders!

Informações

Para ouvir episódios explícitos, inicie sessão.

Fique por dentro deste podcast

Inicie sessão ou crie uma conta para seguir podcasts, salvar episódios e receber as atualizações mais recentes.
Selecionar um país ou região

África, Oriente Médio e Índia

Ásia‑Pacífico

Europa

América Latina e Caribe

Estados Unidos e Canadá