She Leads Biotech

Sharron Cox

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BUSINESS
UPDATED WEEKLY

This is She Leads Biotech, a podcast where we have real conversations with women leading the charge in innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in the bioscience space. Each episode offers a candid look at what it takes to succeed in a historically male-dominated field, and how to lean into your strengths to get where you want to go. We’re not just talking about the science; we’re getting to know the people behind the job titles!

11/28/2025

S3 E27, Terri Gaskell, Chief Technology Officer of Rinri Therapeutics

Terri Gaskell | CTO, Rinri TherapeuticsRestoring Hearing. Redefining Possibility. In this episode, I speak with Terri Gaskell, Chief Technology Officer at Rinri Therapeutics, about the revolutionary work her team is doing to treat sensorineural hearing loss through stem cell therapy. Terri shares her remarkable journey from academia to biotech, the real-world hurdles of early-stage leadership, and the power of staying grounded (even when things get weird, wild, or wonderfully promising). We talk science, strategy, identity, and authenticity — all wrapped up in a clinical trial story that just might restore hearing for those who’ve lost it. 🎙️ This episode of She Leads Biotech is proudly sponsored by Phacilitate & Women in Advanced Therapies (WIAT). 📌 Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Terri Gaskell & the Rinri mission03:05 – The science behind restoring hearing via stem cells07:20 – From university spinout to clinical trials: how it all began11:40 – Navigating burnout & building balanced leadership14:30 – Why authenticity matters more than ever in biotech17:25 – Terri’s Women in Advanced Therapies experience19:40 – The highs, lows, and marigolds of team management22:55 – How academia prepared (and didn’t prepare) her for biotech26:15 – Advice for new biotech leaders: confidence vs competence29:30 – Rinri’s clinical pipeline and what’s next33:00 – Final reflections on purpose, progress, and patient impact #SheLeadsBiotech #TerriGaskell #RinriTherapeutics #HearingLoss #CellTherapy #BiotechLeadership #WomenInSTEM #RegenerativeMedicine #CNAInternationalUSA #SharronCoxStudio #WIAT #Phacilitate #LifeSciences

49 min
11/21/2025

S3 E26, Katrina Rice - Chief Delivery Officer of Biometrics Services at eClinical Solutions

Showing Up Fully: Katrina Rice on Leadership, Identity & Inclusive TrialsThis week, I sit down with Katrina Rice, Chief Delivery Officer of Biometrics Services at eClinical Solutions, for a raw and empowering conversation about identity, leadership, and impact. Katrina shares her journey from a first-gen college student in Alabama to a self-made C-level executive — and the courage it took to create the job she wanted when no one else offered it. We talk about the power of showing up as your full self, the ongoing challenges facing women of color in biosciences, and why diversity in clinical trials isn’t optional — it’s life-saving. 🎙️ Sponsored by Phacilitate & Women in Advanced Therapies (WIAT) Whether you're mentoring others, navigating your own path, or working to make your workplace more inclusive, Katrina’s story is a masterclass in resilience and authenticity. 📌 Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Intro02:15 – Growing up in Alabama and finding a path into science05:45 – What it felt like to be the only Black woman in the room08:30 – Transitioning from IT and government work to clinical research11:10 – Creating her own role at eClinical Solutions15:45 – What it means to lead with purpose, not just title20:00 – Diversity in clinical trials: why it matters and where we’re falling short25:30 – Representing communities of color in data and design29:45 – Advice for young professionals entering the life sciences34:00 – The power of authenticity and finding your own leadership style37:10 – Closing thoughts: identity, impact, and legacy Full episode now live on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. #SheLeadsBiotech #Phacilitate #WIAT #KatrinaRice #eClinicalSolutions #DiversityInClinicalTrials #BiotechLeadership #WomenInSTEM #AuthenticLeadership #LifeSciences #SharronCoxStudio #CNAInternationalUSA

38 min
11/14/2025

S3 E25, Chaemin Lim - Chief Technology Officer of Coiled Therapeutics

From Molecules to Machine Learning: CTO Chaemin Lim on Drug Design & Leadership.What does drug discovery look like in the age of AI? In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Sharron Cox sits down with Chaemin Lim, Chief Technology Officer of Coiled Therapeutics, for a wide-ranging discussion that spans synthetic chemistry, startup life, and the future of AI in oncology. With over 15 years in drug development, Chaemin shares how her love of chemistry began in her father’s lab in Korea and evolved into a career at the intersection of data, design, and deep science. From building AI tools for medicinal chemists to learning how to translate science for investors, her journey is anything but linear and all the more inspiring for it. In this episode:00:00 Intro02:30 Growing up in science (and her dad’s chemistry lab)05:45 Pharmacy school and falling in love with drug development10:40 Building her own computational chemistry lab in grad school17:30 From postdoc to industry: how AI came into play21:00 What AI can and can’t do in drug discovery26:30 Startup life and translating science to strategy29:00 Advice for women in biotech and defining yourself as a “designer”33:00 What’s next for Coiled Therapeutics Tune in for a thoughtful, practical, and occasionally hilarious conversation that proves science and leadership are anything but boring. #SheLeadsBiotech #ChaeminLim #CoiledTherapeutics #DrugDesign #AIInBiotech #WomenInSTEM #AuthenticLeadership #LifeSciences #BiotechLeadership #CNAInternationalUSA

35 min
11/07/2025

S3 E24, Carolyn Yeago Director of The Masters Program in Biomedical Innovation & Development- Advanced Therapeutics at Emory University

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I sit down with Carolyn Yeago, Director of the MS in Biomedical Innovation & Development – Advanced Therapeutics at Emory University. Carolyn’s career has taken her from being the first female co-op engineer at a med-tech company to shaping how the next generation of biotech leaders are trained — with a strong foundation in clinical, regulatory, and commercial strategy. We talk about: Why early-stage biotech companies often skip critical operational knowledge How academia and industry can work together more effectively The importance of building teams who understand the why, not just the how What’s happening in Atlanta’s growing biotech ecosystem And how this new master’s program is filling the gaps most startups don’t even know they have If you’re hiring early-career talent or thinking about where your next pipeline of leadership will come from — this episode is for you. 📌 Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Carolyn Yeago03:00 – From co-op engineer to biotech educator06:30 – The gaps she saw in early-stage teams09:30 – Building a program around the full product lifecycle13:30 – Regulatory awareness in the classroom17:00 – Collaborating with industry, founders, and faculty21:00 – What makes a student stand out in biotech24:00 – The rise of biotech in Atlanta27:00 – Final advice for future leaders 🎓 Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open. 🟣 This episode is sponsored by Phacilitate and Women in Advanced Therapies (WIAT). #SheLeadsBiotech #CarolynYeago #EmoryUniversity #AdvancedTherapeutics #BiotechEducation #WomenInSTEM #WorkforceDevelopment #AcademicInnovation #LifeSciences #CNAInternationalUSA

44 min
10/31/2025

S3 E23, Deanna Angello - Chief Commercial Officer

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I’m joined by Deanna Angello, a seasoned commercial leader whose career spans some of the biggest names in healthcare: Pfizer, Kite Pharma, J&J, and Genentech. But this isn’t just a highlight reel of commercial success. It’s a conversation about what happens when life interrupts the script — and how that moment can bring clarity, courage, and an entirely new sense of purpose. We talk about: Navigating career grief after personal loss How Genentech prepared her for some of the most high-stakes commercial threats in biotech Why FDA approval is only the beginning — not the end — of access Building scalable systems that serve both patients and teams What she's looking for in her next chapter as a Chief Commercial Officer If you're building something big — and looking for someone who’s done it all but still thinks like a builder — you’ll want to hear this one. 📌 Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Deanna Angello02:00 – From Pfizer to Genentech: early lessons and leadership06:00 – Grief, clarity, and stepping off the treadmill10:00 – Building commercial systems that last14:00 – Patient access and the real work after FDA approval18:30 – What she’s looking for in her next CCO role23:00 – Advice for leaders ready to rethink their own path #SheLeadsBiotech #DeannaAngello #BiotechLeadership #WomenInSTEM #ChiefCommercialOfficer #LifeSciences #PatientAccess #AuthenticLeadership #CareerPivot #CNAInternationalUSA

47 min
10/24/2025

S3 E22, Theresa Tribble - Entrepreneur & Life Sciences Leader

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Sharron Cox sits down with Theresa Tribble, a dynamic entrepreneur and life sciences leader whose career has taken her from health policy and MBA halls to some of the most innovative companies in biotech. Theresa has led strategy and growth at Everlywell, BigHat Biosciences, and Droplet Biosciences, and now she’s preparing to summit Mount Kilimanjaro as part of the 2026 Timmerman Traverse — raising $1M+ for early-career cancer researchers. This conversation is honest, bold, and full of insight for anyone navigating their own career pivots or seeking purpose in the path less traveled. We talk about: Why she’s drawn to companies that “should already exist” The difference between mentors and sponsors (and how to find both) What made Everlywell the riskiest — and most rewarding — move Leadership without a science background (and why it works) The climb of a lifetime for cancer research Her personal checklist for knowing when to say “yes” to an idea 📌 Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Theresa Tribble02:00 – Her unexpected path into life sciences05:00 – Working at Everlywell: a bold career leap08:30 – Finding purpose in patient proximity11:00 – How she evaluates new ideas and career moves14:30 – Mentorship vs sponsorship18:00 – BigHat Biosciences and Droplet: different models, shared mission22:00 – Career pivot tips for people outside the lab25:00 – Timmerman Traverse: climbing Kilimanjaro for cancer research30:00 – Advice for building a career with meaning 🎧 Tune in for a conversation that blends strategy, mission, and a whole lot of heart.

38 min
10/17/2025

S3 E21, Katja Betts, CEO of PROGEN

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Sharron Cox sits down with Katja Betts, CEO of PROGEN, one of Germany’s first biotech companies — now 40 years strong and still evolving. Katja’s leadership journey is anything but typical. From marketing to the boardroom, she now leads a 45-person team that partners globally with biotech giants like Thermo Fisher and Bio-Techne. But at the heart of it all? A deep commitment to precision, collaboration, and progress that lasts. They talk about: PROGEN’s mission to make gene therapy tools more accessible and scalable The leadership mindset Katja brought from brand strategy to biotech Why innovation doesn’t have to be loud to be bold Gender and generational bias in biotech leadership How PROGEN is supporting clients around the world — without losing focus Whether you’re scaling a biotech company or building a career in life sciences, this episode offers a thoughtful, grounded take on leadership, growth, and impact. 📌 Timestamps / Chapters00:00 – Meet Katja Betts & PROGEN’s history03:30 – From branding to biotech: Katja’s unconventional career path06:00 – What makes PROGEN different (and why clients stay 20+ years)09:00 – The mission: Making gene therapy better, together12:30 – Building tools that work without specialist equipment15:00 – Collaborating with Thermo Fisher, Bio-Techne, and more18:00 – Leadership in Germany: differences, networks, and gender dynamics22:00 – The weight of legacy and the power of steady progress25:00 – Advice for new leaders in biotech 🎧 Listen now and share with someone building something with meaning.

29 min
10/10/2025

S3 E20, Jennifer Chain, The Leukopak Lady

Jennifer Chain | The Leukopak Lady – Why Starting Materials Matter More Than You Think In this episode of She Leads Biotech, host Sharron Cox sits down with Jennifer Chain, immunologist, consultant, and founder of CSM Consulting, to explore a topic most people in biotech overlook, the strategic importance of starting materials in cell and gene therapy. Known on LinkedIn as The Leukopak Lady, Jennifer shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, her deep expertise in donor qualification, and why collection centers and therapy developers need to start thinking upstream if they want downstream success. Chapters:00:00 – Meet Jennifer Chain: From West Texas to starting materials expert03:00 – Why she chose gamma delta T cells over cancer research06:30 – Why donor selection is critical to manufacturing and clinical outcomes10:30 – What most execs misunderstand about leukopaks13:00 – How she built a consulting business (and the startup that didn’t work out)17:00 – The viral video series: “The Leukopak Lady” on LinkedIn & YouTube20:00 – The regulatory grey zones no one is talking about23:00 – Centralized vs decentralized manufacturing: hidden bottlenecks27:00 – Why donor stewardship is the new frontier in cell therapy30:00 – Her advice for early-career scientists breaking into the space Whether you're in CMC, clinical, regulatory, or BD — this episode will shift how you think about supply chains, success rates, and what it really means to build therapies that work. Listen now and follow Jennifer at #LeukopakLady for more insight.

35 min

This is She Leads Biotech, a podcast where we have real conversations with women leading the charge in innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in the bioscience space. Each episode offers a candid look at what it takes to succeed in a historically male-dominated field, and how to lean into your strengths to get where you want to go. We’re not just talking about the science; we’re getting to know the people behind the job titles!

Creator

Sharron Cox
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

59
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Sharron Cox
Show Website

She Leads Biotech