Podcasts - Leading Life Science Damien Wilpitz

Thanks to Willis Read-Button for joining us today to talk about his entrepreneurial journey by lead a team to build the brick & mortar aspects of a biotech company. Today's show we ask Willis some of the following questions that has helped him to lead the charge for building the operational side and what it takes to make the vision come true: How he leverages investors and their experience to create operational connections. How uses business plans as a guide and not as an exact plan. There’s unpredictability that’s built in. Where and how him and his team seeked out business advice How do scientists without business experience compensate with the lack of experience How to manage all of the multiple hats of a start up. How to teach, train and recruit personnel. How to manage people and emotions. How do you define measurable metrics for employee success. How to use systems to free up higher power thought processes. How do you define a start up company? SOME OF WHAT WE LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: Choosing investor background experience is just as important as their financial backing. Defining goals is important in being able to measure productivity. Systems help to focus intellectual efforts. Build flexibility in business plans. They serve more as an outline. Choice tools & tips: Getting Things Done - David Allen, and Work Flowy.com

Thanks to Derek Loudermilk  for helping to share today's story with us, and
to talk about his own journey in the lifestyle entrepreneurial world.

Damien’s practice focuses on helping independent scientists with the
business side of laboratory research. His practice focuses on assisting
early career biomedical researchers with setting up and managing management
practice with financial, operational, and personnel strategies.

 

Today's show we ask Enrique some of the following questions that has helped him to lead such an amazingly successful research lab: What are similarities between industry & academia? What are the best ways to practice communicating your science? What strategy do you use when applying for grants? How do you balance the stress of taking risks and playing it safe? What would you recommend to a younger version of yourself? SOME OF WHAT WE LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: The ability to write and to speak well. The ability to tell a story in the context of the big picture. Start with an outline when communicating your research, before the details. Writing well comes from reading a lot. Use a mentor or collaborator to help you write. Give them an outline. At the end of the day, the quality and novelty of your science is what makes you relevant. Let the excitement of science drive the approach. Learn to know when to let go. Don’t become too attached to your story.

We’re coming to you with a two part show. Today we have the pleasure of speaking to: Dr. Enrique Saez Enrique is an associate professor at Scripps Research Institute. His lab is studying the molecular mechanisms of metabolic disorders like Diabetes and Obesity. Enrique has made a rather unique and successful transitional journey in his career. He began his successful academic training at Harvard Medical School where he did his PhD and has done great work in his postdoctoral training at The Salk Biological institute. From there, Enrique went the industry route to the research arm of the Swiss pharmaceutical giant, Novartis, known as GNF (Genomic Institute of Novartis Research Foundation.) He wanted to further develop some of his teams’ great research findings in diabetes research into real world clinical applications and to further understand the drug discovery process. He wanted his work to have real world impact. However, his passion for independent research discoveries drew him back to the academic side of life sciences, all with the added extra bonus of his new found business acumen. Which I believe has given his science a unique advantage. We’ll take this journey in two parts where in part one focuses on his transition to and from industry and in part two we’ll cover how he actually successfully manages his academic lab today using his business skills. Let’s chat with him today and here about his journey and see what awesome lessons he can teach us. So that we can be successful in our life science journey. We know his science, but what does it take to go from the fast pace race of industry BACK to the ivory towers of academia!?

Colin is the Chief Scientific Officer at Parcell Laboratories. Their work introduces cutting edge stem cell technologies to regenerative medicine, like those in Bone, in Cartilage, or even in the rejuvenative properties of skin. He’s the co-founder and principal at White Consulting, LLC. He takes his clients through a step by step process and coaches them on how to actually make those moves. Today's show we ask Colin some of the following questions that has helped him to lead such an amazing scientific career transition: What are the key differences & similarities between academia & industry? Who were your inspirational leaders in your career? What strategy do you use to find an industry position? How do you recruit the best team for a small company? What critical skill(s) in your academic training has helped you to transition? What kind of skillsets do industry hiring managers look for? SOME OF WHAT WE LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: More than 76% of industry positions are NOT advertised. Complimentary personalities serve as a great team dynamic. Networking is key to finding and hiring for industry jobs. Global perspective is key to knowing how your skills can fit into a company’s portfolio. Academics don’t give themselves enough credit. Recognize breadth of skillset is more important in industry.

Thanks to Dr. Joseph Italiano for joining us today to talk about his journey to lead a team of dedicated scientists to unraveling the mysteries behind metabolic related diseases. Today's show we ask Joe some of the following questions that has helped him to lead such an amazingly successful research lab: You say little things matter. What little things matter? How do you work with introverted personalities? Who were your inspirational leaders in science? What strategy do you use to manage your team? How do you recruit the best students? Where do you find the right postdocs? How do you manage your time? How do you sell your science? SOME OF WHAT WE LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: Smaller labs are more comfortable to focus. Retreats help to strengthen the lab vision and relationships. Use your lab as a way to make your scientific concepts stronger. Seeing your people accomplish more than you becomes your main accomplishment. Smaller conferences are better for meeting talents. It’s all about your relationships. A strong personality can disrupt the make-up of the lab. Training from ground zero, as oppose to running the risk of bringing in bad techniques into the lab. Pursue 2 types of projects in training and funding; The “low hanging fruit,” and the “holy grail”. Smart students don’t want to go to larger labs. Turning off technology helps to manage.