WHEN IN STEM

Thinking about studying biotechnology? Last week, I shared 5 reasons why you should NOT study biotechnology. This week, we're flipping the script. Despite the challenges, I would still choose biotechnology every single time. In this episode of When in STEM, I'm sharing the five biggest reasons I think biotechnology is one of the most exciting degrees you can study. From meaningful work and...

Thinking about studying biotechnology? Before you choose a biotech degree, there are a few things I wish someone had told me first. In this episode of *When in STEM*, I'm sharing 5 honest reasons you should think twice before studying biotechnology, from how competitive the job market can be, to the reality of layoffs, relocation, and the gap between what you learn in school and what companies act...

In today's episode, I'm answering your most asked questions about my life, career, and journey in STEM.From why I chose biotech over medicine, to why I didn't pursue a PhD, how I got promoted in industry, and where I see myself in the future, this episode is a chance to get to know me beyond the lab coat. We'll also dive into personal questions about my routines, goals, life in Bos...

In today’s episode of When In STEM, I’m talking about some of the biggest lessons working in biotech has taught me in my 20s. From navigating imposter syndrome in Boston biotech, to understanding how important networking and managers really are, to realizing biotech is way more business-focused than I ever expected… this episode is an honest conversation about the realities of working in STEM that...

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like everyone else belonged there more than you? In this episode, we talk about imposter syndrome, confidence, leadership, and the pressure many women feel while navigating STEM careers. From feeling small in executive meetings to questioning our own accomplishments, this is an honest conversation about learning to take up space in rooms we already deserve...

Ever felt like you're not smart enough for a career in science? This conversation is for you. In this episode of When In STEM, I sit down with Nicole Richards, CEO of a biotech startup working on solutions for mining, PFAS removal, and water treatment, for one of the most honest career conversations I've ever had. Nicole didn't follow a straight line. She "barely made it through" chemical engineer...

📌 Note: this episode was recorded when the company was still called Vaxess Technologies. It has since rebranded to Terrestrial Bio, Inc. (Terrestrial). What does it actually take to go from MIT chemistry to running your own biotech company? Rachel Sha is the CEO of Terrestrial Bio (formerly Vaxess Technologies). Before that, she spent over a decade at Sanofi and earned her MBA at Harvard. We sat...

Can you work in the life sciences with a BA in English? In this episode of When in STEM , I sit down with Rosie from Life Science Cares Boston to talk about her nontraditional path into the life sciences. From studying English to working at the intersection of biotech, nonprofit leadership, and social impact, Rosie’s journey challenges what we think a “STEM career” should look like. We talk about...

You got a chemistry degree… now what? Most people think it means staying in the lab forever, but that’s far from the truth. In this episode, I break down what a chemistry degree actually gives you and the different career paths you can take in biotech, from R&D and QC to project management, supply chain, regulatory, and even tech and business roles. We also talk about salary progression and ho...

She made it to leadership at Bayer… with just a bachelor’s. So how did she do it? In this episode of When in STEM, I sit down with Kristen Landgren, a chemical engineering graduate who went from starting her career in the lab to leading innovation and science at Bayer, without a PhD.We break down her full career journey, the risks she took, and the skills that actually helped her stand out and mov...

“I quit the lab for a fully remote biotech job”… but how does that actually happen? In this episode of When in STEM , I sit down with Alexandra to talk about her journey from chemical engineering to working as an analytical chemist, and how she transitioned into a remote project management role in the pharmaceutical industry. We break down what it’s really like working in a startup, the skills tha...

What can you really do with a chemistry degree? In this episode of When in STEM , I sit down with a Site Research Lead Associate at Thermo Fisher to talk about her path from organic chemistry and cancer research to working in clinical trials, without a PhD. We dive into what clinical research actually looks like, how she broke into biotech, and the biggest misconceptions about careers in this spac...

You have a biology degree… now what? Most people think their only options are med school or a PhD. But in reality, there are so many career paths in biotech, you just haven’t been exposed to them. In this episode, I break down the entire biotech industry so you can finally understand where you fit in. We walk through: Research & Development (R&D) Cell culture, discovery, and assay developm...

From Bachelor’s Degree to Principal Scientist: How One Scientist Made It in Biotech All the Way From NepalIn this episode of When In STEM, we sit down with Ananda Mishra, who went from earning a bachelor’s degree to becoming a Principal Scientist in the biotech industry, all while navigating the challenges of moving from Nepal to the U.S.Ananda shares:📌 How his identity as an international studen...

Ever been told a master’s degree isn’t enough to land a career in biotech? Michaela Duffy proves it can be. In this episode of When in STEM , Michaela shares her journey from graduating during the pandemic, reaching out to scientists in Boston, and developing a rapid COVID testing machine at MIT, to building a career in gene therapy. She talks about her experience working in rare disease drug deve...

Feeling stuck with just a bachelor’s degree in biology? Think your career has hit a ceiling? Think again. In this episode, we dive into real stories and expert advice to show you how to leverage your skills, learn new ones, and relentlessly move forward, no matter where you started. Our guest, an accomplished researcher and biotech professional, shares her unconventional journey from microbiology...

Funding can feel confusing, overwhelming, and honestly… gatekept. In this episode, I’m breaking down 8 unique and overlooked ways to fund your research, especially if you’re early in your career or applying for the first time. Even if you’ve never written a grant before, this episode gives you clear, actionable steps to move forward and maybe even some shortcuts that could save you months of frust...

What happens when a scientist changes disciplines multiple times and transforms how we understand animal behavior? In this episode, Rebecka Sepela shares her journey from chemistry to biophysics to sensory biology and how scientific curiosity led her into groundbreaking octopus research. Rebecka is a L’Oréal For Women in Science Fellowship award recipient, a L’Oréal For Women in Science Fellow, an...

From struggling first-generation student to groundbreaking geneticist discover how resilience, curiosity, and community transform impossible dreams into reality. Few stories are as inspiring as Kaitlyn’s journey from a chaotic upbringing with no family support for education to becoming a Harvard-trained researcher making waves in reproductive biology. In this episode, Kaitlyn reveals the unfiltere...

Can L’Oréal really fund your scientific research? 👀 In this episode of When In STEM , we’re breaking down what fellowships like L’Oréal For Women in Science can actually do for your career and why choosing the right lab and mentor can matter more than your CV. Today’s guest is Dr. Sydney Aten , a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School , neuroscientist studying circadian rhythms and fer...

This episode explores the diverse career paths available to pharmacists with a PharmD degree, emphasizing the growing demand for pharmacists in various sectors of healthcare. The host discusses the misconceptions surrounding the role of pharmacists, highlighting that their expertise extends beyond traditional patient-facing roles. The conversation covers various career options, including clinical...

In this episode of When in STEM, I chat with Rachel Hawley, PharmD, about redefining what a pharmacy career can look like beyond clinical settings. Rachel gets real about her journey, from inpatient pharmacy experiences to the shift into medical affairs and biotech, the skills that matter most, what her fellowship actually taught her, and what it is like working as a Medical Outcomes Science Liais...

What does a day in the life of a pharmacy student on rotations actually look like? In this episode of When in STEM, I sit down with Kami to break down her real routine, from clinical rotations and hands-on learning to studying, staying organized, and managing the mental load that comes with pharmacy school. Kami shares what surprised her most about pharmacy school, how she balances rotations with...

In this episode of When in STEM, I sit down with Elissa Hanna, a retail pharmacist, to uncover the real story behind life in community pharmacy. She shares her path from education to earning her PharmD, the challenges she faced along the way, and what led her to retail pharmacy. We dive into what a day in her life looks like, what it truly means to hold a PharmD, and how pharmacists impact patient...

Do you really need a PhD to build a successful career in science? In this episode of When in STEM, I sit down with Elina, a lab technician working in spatial biology, who shares her journey from conducting research at the University of Oxford to building her career in Belgium. We dive into the realities of being a lab technician in Europe, what day-to-day lab life looks like, and how career paths...