Blooming Late Scientists

What is it is like to be a female founder in STEM? This is a question I wanted to ask as part of this series on women in STEM. To hear the challenges and experiences of the women who are leading companies. That is why I am delighted to be talking to Dr Beatrix Förster, CEO and Founder of Doderm, a company working to create healthier skin in humans and animals. Beatrix shares insights into life as...

There are many challenges for women to succeed in STEM careers.   The problem of power dynamics and gender discrepancies has never been solved.   In this episode, I am joined by the brilliant Xu Simon, COO of Ezone. Xu shares her experiences from her prolific career in STEM and as a female leader of a STEM company.   She highlights the importance of mentorship and role models, noting that while mo...

We need relatable role models to know we can achieve our dreams.   For women wanting a career in STEM it can be hard to find those that represent us in the careers we want to follow. But for Black women representation is even smaller, making the work of my guest in this episode critical for young Black women entering science subjects.   Dr Abigail Otchere is a PhD graduate and co -founder of SiSTE...

Allyship between women in the workplace is not a given, and STEM is no different.   Whether it’s because of a perceived need to be masculine to succeed, there are still outdated ideas of what it means to be a woman at work, particularly in leadership positions.   In this episode, I am joined by the wonderful Jessica Rietbrock, who supports women in STEM in the North West of the UK through her comm...

From Alpha to Authentic: Evolving Gender Narratives in STEM Gender diversity in STEM is constantly evolving.   But how far have we come and what do we still need to do to make it more equal?   To discuss this, I am joined by a panel of special guests, Amber Penrose, Gregory Antonios and Philipp Baaske.   We explore each other’s experiences with gender diversity in STEM. Getting perspectives from b...

Maggie Philbin - Empowering Women in STEM: The Tomorrow's World Legacy   To get a real sense of how accessible STEM subjects are for women we need to talk to those that have experience working to create change in the industry.   There is no-one more experienced and more influential both historically and presently than my guest in this episode, Maggie Philbin OBE.   Maggie was the host of Tomorrow’...

Season 2 of The Blooming Late Scientists kicks off with an empowering episode featuring Rachel Pearce, co-founder of the Oxford Women in Life Sciences group. Rachel dives deep into the challenges women face in STEM, from subtle ingrained masculine norms to creating inclusive workplace cultures. She shares her journey of building a community for women in science, advice for young professionals star...

Are there barriers to get into science in 2024?   In short, yes there are. From gender barriers to resume barriers for Gen Z applicants, they are still there.   In this episode I am joined by Amber Penrose, founder of Moxee, a recruitment agency for the life sciences space. Amber shares her non-traditional career path and journey into science. From a young age Amber had a deep love for science and...

Have you taken a break from work or study?   Time to travel, to fight against the conventional route you should be taking in life. And simply to have fun.   My guest in this episode is Lucy Murray, Education Sales Manager at ADInstruments, who also used to be my line manager. In fact, I would count her as the best manager I’ve have ever had.   Lucy shares why she decided to take time out to travel...

In this conversation, we hear from, Dave Graham, a consultant in the life science industry. We cover Dave's diverse career path, the power of networking, and the importance of mentorship. Dave shares his experiences working in big pharma, transitioning between companies, and the value of taking leaps of faith. He emphasizes the need to build a strong network and find your tribe to succeed in t...

Becoming a scientist later in life is not the traditional approach, but there are benefits to doing it that way.   From knowing more about who you are and what you want out of life, to having the confidence to go out there and do something about it. In this episode I am joined by Dr Paul Brett, the Lead Scientist at Adamo Foods, who did just that. Paul is a former teacher that later in life did hi...

What’s it like teaching mature students in the sciences? We often have a view of students at university as teenagers fresh out of college, but many come to it later in life. To explore the reality of working with mature students, I am joined by Dr Shern Tee, a practical lecturer and computational electrochemist at Griffith University, Australia. We discuss what mature students bring to the lecture...

In this episode, I interview Ted Mason, an apprentice at Catapult, a cell and gene therapy company. Ted shares his unconventional journey into the science industry, starting from struggling with A-levels to finding his passion in an apprenticeship. He discusses the practical experience and specialized skills he has gained in the lab and the pressure and responsibility of working with stem cells. T...

Claudia Andretta shares her journey from academia to industry, highlighting the value of being a scientist beyond having a PhD. She discusses her expertise in go-to-market strategy and rare diseases, specifically cell and gene therapy. She also reflects on her academic background in neuroscience and her decision to transition to a career in sales and consulting. Claudia advises those facing toxici...

Renuka Ramanujan, founder of HUID, a biotech startup that converts onion waste into a single-use plastic alternative for packaging, shares her journey of transitioning from a textile designer to the world of biotech. She discusses the importance of sustainable processes in creating eco-friendly packaging and the need to consider the entire supply chain. Renuka draws inspiration from her background...

In this episode, Dr Elena Hoffer discusses her experience after completing her PhD and transitioning to new goals. She shares her background in pharmaceutical biotechnology and her transition to immunology, specifically studying skin diseases. Elena emphasizes the importance of overcoming the fear of imperfection and the value of mentorship, encouraging individuals to pursue education and career c...

Today's guest, Dr Thais Langer, started her career at cruising altitude as a flight attendant. Thais shares the tale of how her passion for exploration and knowledge led her to pursue higher education while jet-setting across the globe. With a PhD in life sciences in hand, she made the leap into the world of biotech marketing, where she now applies her rich tapestry of experiences to innovate...

In today's episode of the Blooming Late Scientists, we chat to Harrison Waid, Co-Founder of Succession, a company dedicated to sales training in the life science sector. Harrison shares his journey from being a dedicated sportsman to embracing sales challenges and, eventually, co-founding a business that stands at the intersection of biotech innovation and sales excellence. Don't miss it!

Join us on this episode of Blooming Late Scientists, where we explore the compelling story of Dr David Brühlmann, whose initial aspirations of becoming a pilot took a dramatic turn towards uncharted territories. After a brief stint in medical school that lasted just two days, he redirected his ambitions towards the field of chemical engineering, a decision that marked the beginning of a new journe...

Follow the journey of a Commercial Director whose life story defies convention. Starting in a cult, his path led him through physics, crane driving, founding companies and becoming a CFO before steering the helm in biotech innovation. In this interview, Dale Harrison shares insights from his diverse experiences and how they shaped his approach to leadership and innovation in the biotech sector. It...

Join us in this episode of Blooming Late Scientists, where we dive into the diverse journey of a coach dedicated to guiding PhD graduates as they transition out of academia. Dr Jackie Coley shares her own educational journey, beginning with her passion for chemistry, followed by a pivot to biology and a break in Japan. This break, far from a setback, provided her with a unique perspective and rene...

Prepare to be inspired as we uncover the remarkable story of Ciara Taylor on this week's Blooming Late Scientists. Witness her leap from hospitality to microbiology, fueled by determination and a thirst for knowledge. Despite the odds, Ciara persevered through late nights and challenges, emerging as a Microbiology Field Applications Specialist. Join us as Ciara shares her journey, proving that...

Join Dr Martina Neville and Dr Jacqueline Campbell for the latest episode of Blooming Late Scientists as we hop on the tracks, from dodging delays to deciphering whether life on Mars is really possible; this episode will have you liking, learning, and maybe even rethinking your career path!

Most people think you get a PhD by being a grade A-student and then travelling in a straight line to your Viva. Except for most of us, that isn't the case. In the first episode of Blooming Late Scientists, I tell my story. After all, isn't the beginning the only logical place to start?