This short It’s Bigger Than Biotech explainer breaks down the key insights from our episode with Dr. Hovhannes (Hovik), Director at USC’s Mann School of Pharmacy. In just a few minutes, learn how he navigated career moves from big pharma to academia, the evolving world of drug development, and the core skills students and professionals need to thrive. This recap is perfect for anyone on the go who wants a quick yet valuable summary of Dr. Hovik’s journey and advice.
Today on It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Dr. Benjamin Suratt, Global Project Head and Clinical Lead at Sanofi, whose journey from academic medicine to industry leadership offers a masterclass in navigating science, purpose, and career reinvention.
With a background in Pulmonary and Critical Care, Dr. Suratt spent two decades in academic research before stepping into the biotech world—now leading early development in immunity and inflammation. In this episode, he breaks down what it means to lead complex, milestone-driven programs while staying rooted in scientific curiosity and patient impact.
We talk about:
The mindset shift from academia to industry
What it really means to manage global development teams
How to know when it’s time to pivot careers
What future physician-scientists need to prepare for
And how purpose and innovation intersect in today’s pharma landscape
Whether you're a med student, a PhD, or a professional wondering what else your degree can do—this one’s for you.
In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Dr. Llewellyn Cox, Executive Director of Corporate Relations for Life Science Innovations at USC, to explore a side of biotech that students and early-career professionals rarely hear about: the business of academic innovation.
With experience founding biotech incubators, advising startups, and now building partnerships between USC and industry, Llewellyn shares how universities are no longer just research institutions—they’re becoming active drivers of biotech growth. We dive into the evolving role of academia as a strategic player in funding, spinouts, and deal flow, and what that means for the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.
We cover:
How academic research gets translated into real biotech companies
What skills students need to thrive in innovation-focused roles
Why storytelling, relationship-building, and business literacy matter
The financial and cultural dynamics of bridging academia and industry
Why impact-driven careers often begin outside your job description
Whether you're a student exploring your future or a scientist thinking about what's next, this conversation offers practical, behind-the-scenes insight into how biotech careers are being shaped by university ecosystems.
🎧 Tune in, take notes, and learn how to think beyond the lab.
Not a scientist? No problem. In this episode, Andy Wilson shares how he successfully pivoted into the world of biotech and health innovation—without a background in science.
Now VP of Business Development for Health Affairs at USC and former leader of the Alliance for SoCal Innovation, Andy explains how he built a purpose-driven career by connecting capital, universities, and entrepreneurs.
Listen in to learn:
How to break into biotech from a non-traditional path
Why ecosystems matter more than résumés
How to find your “why” and build a career around it
What students get wrong about career planning
If you’re a student or early-career professional wondering how to pivot into biotech without a research background, this episode is your playbook.
In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we’re joined by Engie Salama, a passionate scientist and Program Manager at Xencor, where she leads teams working on cutting-edge immuno-oncology therapies. Engie’s journey from the lab bench to biotech program management is a masterclass in navigating career pivots, developing leadership skills, and finding purpose in the life sciences industry.
We dive into:
🌱 How Engie transitioned from scientific research to program management.
🧬 The mindset shifts that helped her grow in her career.
🎯 Her advice for students and early professionals exploring careers in biotech.
🌐 The importance of communication and cross-functional collaboration in life sciences.
Whether you're a student exploring biotech, a young professional finding your fit, or a scientist curious about leadership, this episode is packed with insights that can help you think bigger.
🎧 Listen now and unlock a fresh perspective on building a meaningful biotech career.In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we’re joined by Engie Salama, a passionate scientist and Program Manager at Xencor, where she leads teams working on cutting-edge immuno-oncology therapies. Engie’s journey from the lab bench to biotech program management is a masterclass in navigating career pivots, developing leadership skills, and finding purpose in the life sciences industry.
We dive into:
🌱 How Engie transitioned from scientific research to program management.
🧬 The mindset shifts that helped her grow in her career.
🎯 Her advice for students and early professionals exploring careers in biotech.
🌐 The importance of communication and cross-functional collaboration in life sciences.
Whether you're a student exploring biotech, a young professional finding your fit, or a scientist curious about leadership, this episode is packed with insights that can help you think bigger.
🎧 Listen now and unlock a fresh perspective on building a meaningful biotech career.
In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Dave Whelan, Chief Business Officer at Big4Bio, to talk about how you can do more than just join biotech—you can shape it. With a career spanning Stanford, UCLA Anderson, startups, VC, digital health, and wellness innovation, Dave has helped bring breakthrough health ideas to life and built thriving biotech communities along the way.
We dive into:
🔹 How to filter opportunities and choose the right career path
🔹 Why strategy, connection, and ecosystem building are the real superpowers in biotech
🔹 The biggest green flags (and red flags) when evaluating founders, startups, or your next move
🔹 What students and early-career professionals need to know about the real biotech landscape
🚀 Bonus:
As he shared at the end of the episode, Dave is offering It’s Bigger Than Biotech listeners free lifetime access to his value-based healthcare courses! Use the promo codes below by May 29:
Introduction to Value-Based Healthcare
https://www.udemy.com/course/valueintel-intro-premium/?couponCode=IBTB-INTRO
The 3 Keys to Improving Quality in Value-Based Healthcare
https://www.udemy.com/course/quality-in-value-based-healthcare/?couponCode=IBTB-QUALITY
All we ask is that you leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review to encourage others to check it out too!
🎧 Hit play to learn how to think bigger, build smarter, and carve your own space in the future of biotech.
What if finding your “why” was the first step toward building something that actually matters?
In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Mandika Swartz and Keshav Soni, two student founders who turned a shared frustration with healthcare into Halo Medical Solutions—a fast-growing startup helping physicians reclaim hours of their day with AI-powered documentation tools.
But this episode goes beyond startups and technology. We dive deep into:
🧭 How to find your purpose (even when you're still figuring things out)
💭 Why your “why” will evolve—and how to grow with it
⚙️ Building meaningful solutions in healthcare without a life sciences degree
🧠 Tackling burnout, identity shifts, and career uncertainty as young professionals
🌍 The power of solving real problems, not just chasing titles
Whether you’re feeling stuck, uncertain about your path, or just trying to connect the dots between what you do and why it matters—this conversation is your sign to start asking better questions.
🎧 Hit play. You might just get one step closer to your why.
Most people think a science degree locks you into the lab forever.
Tae Sung is proof that it doesn’t have to.
In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, Tae shares how he went from pipetting at the bench to managing multi-million dollar oncology research projects at Pfizer — one of the biggest biotech companies in the world.
We get into:
→ Why your technical skills alone won’t get you promoted
→ How to transition from scientist to strategy leader
→ What project management in biotech actually looks like
→ Lessons from working at Janssen, Zentalis, and Pfizer
→ The #1 mindset shift students & young scientists need to grow fast
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a science degree into a leadership role — or how people really move from the lab to the boardroom — this is your playbook.
Does anyone in your family have diabetes? Chances are, they’ve used a blood sugar monitor designed by Dr. Laurence (Larry) Katz—or a therapy he helped bring to market. In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, Dr. Katz pulls back the curtain on a decades-long career in pharmaceutical innovation, where he's helped launch life-saving products at companies like Johnson & Johnson, LifeScan, and multiple biotech startups.
We dive into what it actually takes to turn an idea into an FDA-approved drug, the difference in mindset required to succeed in Big Pharma vs. startups, and the behind-the-scenes decision-making that shapes the therapies millions rely on. Dr. Katz also shares honest, no-fluff advice for students and early-career professionals, including what skills truly matter, how to stand out in clinical development, and why cross-functional thinking and strategy are just as important as science.
If you’ve ever wondered how biotech leaders make high-stakes calls, how AI and digital tools are reshaping clinical trials, or what it looks like to build a career that genuinely impacts patients—this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.
🎧 Listen now. Your future self will thank you.
In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Dr. Lawrence Liberti, a seasoned expert in regulatory science and global drug development, to explore one of the most essential—but often overlooked—career paths in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
Dr. Liberti breaks down:
If you're a student or early-career professional curious about bringing therapies to market, working with the FDA or international agencies, or making a real impact in global health, this episode is your blueprint.
Link to the D.K. Kim International Center for Regulatory Science
Link to the https://frpath.org/
In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Brielan Smiechowski, Founder and Managing Partner of BS Strategy. With a background in epidemiology and a passion for health equity, Brielan shares her journey from academia to consulting, discussing how data-driven decision-making is shaping the future of healthcare.
We dive into the evolving landscape of healthcare consulting, the role of AI and patient education, and how mindset influences treatment outcomes. Brielan also sheds light on the challenges of brand development in consulting, the importance of articulating evidence-based insights, and her vision for empowering healthcare leaders.
Whether you're a student exploring careers in biotech, a professional navigating industry trends, or simply curious about the intersection of public health, strategy, and innovation, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
Episode Description:
In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Dr. Farhad Parhami, Founder & CEO of MAX BioPharma, to discuss his journey from PhD and MBA student to biotech leader. We explore his work pioneering oxysterol-based therapeutics for MASH, atherosclerosis, and bone regeneration, as well as the challenges of launching a biotech startup.
Dr. Parhami shares insights on breaking into biotech, transitioning from academia to industry, and the future of small molecule therapies. Whether you're a student, professional, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.
In this episode of It’s Bigger Than Biotech, we sit down with Philip Sell, CEO & Co-Founder of Metaba, a biotech company leveraging metabolomics to combat infectious diseases like tuberculosis and COVID-19. Philip shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the role of metabolomics in drug development, and the challenges of building a biotech startup. Whether you're a student exploring biotech careers or a professional eyeing a transition, this episode is packed with insights on the future of biopharmaceuticals. Tune in now!
In this episode of It's Bigger Than Biotech, we chat with Chloe Duckworth, Co-founder and CEO of Valence Vibrations, a voice AI company at the forefront of neurotechnology and affective computing. Chloe shares her inspiring journey from computational neuroscience at USC to founding a startup that redefines emotional communication. She also discusses her passion for social impact through her non-profit, Hope Hearted, and offers valuable insights on transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship. Tune in for an engaging conversation about innovation, resilience, and the future of neurotech.
In this episode of It's Bigger Than Biotech, Hriday and Vishnu sit down with Christian Chung, a recent USC graduate and Process Development Intern at Genentech. Christian shares his journey through academia, where he earned a B.S. in Human Biology and a Master’s in Stem Cell Biology, and his transition into the pharmaceutical industry. From co-founding Revilico to pioneering AI-driven drug repurposing solutions, Christian offers invaluable insights into big pharma recruitment, the importance of research, and the evolving role of automation in pharma-tech operations. Tune in for a fascinating conversation on curiosity, career growth, and the future of biotech innovation!
In this episode of It's Bigger Than Biotech, Hriday and Vishnu welcome Mr. Gilles De Prevoisin, a seasoned professional with a dynamic career spanning consulting and the pharmaceutical industry. From his early days at Deallus, where he honed his expertise in competitive intelligence, to his impactful role at Kite Pharma, Gilles shares his journey, insights, and advice for aspiring professionals. Discover the nuances of transitioning from academia to consulting, the challenges of breaking into pharma, and the future of healthcare roles. Packed with practical tips and personal stories, this episode is a must-listen for students and professionals looking to navigate the evolving biotech landscape.
In this episode of It's Bigger Than Biotech, Hriday and Vishnu chat with Dr. Hovik, Director of USC's Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. With over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and AbbVie, Dr. Hovik shares his journey from leading drug discovery and development in big pharma to shaping the next generation of biotech innovators in academia. He dives into the nuances of transitioning between industry and academia, the evolving landscape of drug development, and the skills needed to succeed in both worlds. Whether you’re a student or a professional, you'll gain invaluable insights on career growth, recruitment strategies, and the future of biopharmaceutical innovation.
In this episode of "It's Bigger Than Biotech," we delve into the transformative world of stem cells and diagnostics with Mayur Abhaya and Arham Abhaya. As leaders of LifeCell, India's first stem cell bank, they share their pioneering journey, discuss the latest advancements in stem cell technology, and explore the future of diagnostics. Join us for an inspiring conversation about innovation, impact, and the potential of biotech in India.
Step into the thrilling world of "It's Bigger than Biotech," where we turn the tangled web of biotech and pharma into a gripping adventure you won't want to miss!
Dive into this episode as we explore essential jargon from the Pharmaceutical and Biotech industries, drawn from our personal experiences. This is just the start—we've also compiled a list of glossaries for you, a handy resource we'll reference in future episodes. As we unravel these complex terms together, don't hesitate to ask questions. Join us to demystify the specialized language of Pharma and Biotech.
