Ep. 12 Tissue Engineering Career Conversations featuring Dr. Kelsey Kennedy, Associate at McKinsey & Company

Our latest episode features Dr. Irene de Lázaro, an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the New York University Tandon School of Engineering. Dr. Lázaro leads the NanoBioEngineering for Tissue Reprogramming and Regeneration laboratory at NYU since 2023. Her team investigates the influence of genetic, biochemical, and mechanical signals on cell plasticity, identity, and function. Their mission is to leverage this understanding, integrating nanomedicine and bioengineering approaches, to develop therapeutic strategies that regulate cell fate—such as promoting tissue regeneration or rejuvenation—or enhance cellular function, particularly in applications like immunotherapies. Dr. Lázaro has a PharmD from the University of Alcalá in Spain and a PhD in Regenerative Medicine from the University College London, before completing her postdoctoral work at the Wyss Institute at Harvard. In this episode, we will hear about Dr. Lázaro’s experiences in pursuing a research career, pursuing opportunities internationally, the obstacles facing early-career researchers, and navigating a work-life balance in the first years of her independent career.

In our latest episode, we feature Dr. Brooke Coley, a bioengineer and social justice scholar. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at the Polytechnic School of the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU). She is the founding Executive Director of the Center for Research Advancing Racial Equity, Justice, and Sociotechnical Innovation Centered in Engineering (RARE JUSTICE). Dr. Coley earned her Ph.D. in Bioengineering with a concentration in Biomechanics from the University of Pittsburgh. She also completed her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maryland Baltimore County as a Meyerhoff Scholar. Prior to joining the Polytechnic School, she completed her postdoctoral training at ASU in engineering education. Dr. Coley’s research lies at the intersection of racial equity, mental health and qualitative research methods encompassing critical theory, participation action research, and arts-based research methods. In this episode, we gain insight into Dr. Coley’s career trajectory and how she has dealt with adversity and used her experiences to become an agent of change and advocate for inclusion in all levels of her work. Join us as we learn more about Dr. Coley’s unique academic journey and how she hopes to push the bounds of traditionally heteronormative engineering environments through transdisciplinary approaches. 

In our latest episode, we feature Dr. Elisa Cimetta, an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Padua and Principal Investigator of the BIAMET laboratory (Biomedical Applications of Multiscale Engineering Technologies). Dr. Cimetta obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Padua and conducted postdoctoral research at Columbia University, where she co-founded EpiBone, a Columbia University spinoff devoted to producing engineered bone and osteochondral patient-specific tissues. Her journey to academia was marked by innovative research and collaborations, leading her to her current position as a Visiting Research Scientist at Prof. Vunjak-Novakovic’s laboratory. In this episode, we explore Dr. Cimetta’s trajectory, exploring her pivotal moments, research interests, and the challenges and rewards of launching a new research group. Join us as we uncover Dr. Cimetta’s insights on navigating academia and forging a successful career path in engineering and biomedical research. 

Our new episode features Dr. Hunter Rogers, Investment Research Analyst at a globally and nationally ranked academic medical center. Prior to this role, Dr. Rogers was an Equity Research Associate with a focus on biotech investment opportunities at William Blair. Previously, Dr. Rogers also served as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at Northwestern University. Dr. Rogers has a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University, and a PhD in Life Sciences from Northwestern University. In this episode we discuss with Dr. Rogers his career journey, highlighting the influence of his entrepreneurial experience during his PhD and postdoctoral training in his transition to a career in biotech investment. We talked about the several skills Dr. Rogers sharpened along the way as he also provides us with an insightful glimpse into the world of equity research and biotech investment.

Our latest episode features Dr. Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez who started his role as an Assistant Professor at the Bioengineering Department at Lehigh University in 2022. Gonzalez-Fernandez received his PhD in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in 2018 from Trinity College Dublin under the supervision of Prof. Daniel Kelly and Fergal O’Brien. After completing his PhD, Tomas joined the Leach lab at UC Davis. During his career he has been honored with prestigious awards and fellowships such as the American Heart Association Postdoctoral fellowship, and the Rising Star in Engineering and Health by Columbia University. In this episode we discuss Dr. Gonzalez-Fernandez’s journey from being a postdoc to becoming an Assistant Professor. We further discuss his experience as being a new PI, his leadership and time management skills and his perspective about academia. We further share here a few very helpful resources we discuss during the podcast:1. Postdoc-Faculty transition seminars/workshops:·      UCSF: https://career.ucsf.edu/phds/career-paths/faculty/prepare-explore·      Columbia/JHU/Cornell: https://www.bme.cornell.edu/bme/resources/extracurricular-programs/rising-stars-engineering-health2. Faculty Success Program: https://www.facultydiversity.org/fsp-bootcamp3. Grant writing book: https://www.grantcentral.com/workbooks/national-institutes-of-health/4. Gonzalez-Fernandez Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfTGF 

Our latest episode features Dr. Guellermo Ameer, the Daniel Hale Williams professor of Biomedical Engineering and Surgery in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the McCormick School of Engineering and the Department of Surgery in the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Dr. Ameer is the founding director of the Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE). His research interests include biomaterials, tissue engineering, regenerative engineering, and bio/nanotechnologies for diagnostics and therapeutics. Dr. Ameer has co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed journal publications and conference abstracts, several book chapters, and over 60 patents issued and pending in 9 countries. Several of his patents have been licensed to companies to develop medical products, as well as spun out of the lab to the market into early stage biotech companies. Dr. Ameer is a member of National Academy of Medicine, a member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), a Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), and a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Dr. Ameer received his Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and his doctoral degree in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In this episode, we will hear about Dr. Ameer's experiences in pursuing a research career, translating technologies from the lab into industry, and navigating a work-life balance in his career.

Our latest episode features Dr. Kara Spiller, Professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. She is a leader in the biomedical engineering community, known for her passion and focus on building an immunoengineering community within the field. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University, where she also completed her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering in 2010. In this episode we discuss with Dr. Spiller about her journey from being a graduate student at Drexel, pursuing a number of international research experiences, and becoming an independent research and full tenured professor at such a rapid-fire pace. We hear about her experiences in pursuing research abroad, motivations for her own lab, and how she's bringing together researchers from all over the biomedical fields to advance the burgeoning field of immunoengineering.

In this month’s episode, we are delighted to host Dr. Kelsey Kennedy, a valued consultant at McKinsey & Company. Dr. Kennedy specializes in providing commercial guidance to medical device companies.  Additionally, she is a co-founder of OncoRes Medical, a start-up that develops intraoperative imaging technology to provide surgeons with realtime assessment of tissue microstructure.During this episode, Dr. Kennedy shares her fascinating journey from academia to consulting, shedding light on the distinctions between the two. Furthermore, she provides us with an insightful glimpse into the world of consulting, offering a deeper understanding of its nature.

Our new episode features Dr. Misti Ushio, Managing Partner at Digitalis Ventures. Prior to joining Digitalis Ventures, Dr. Ushio was the founding CEO of TARA Biosystems, which was acquired by ValoHealth in 2022. TARA Biosystems was spun out of Prof. Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic’s lab at Columbia University and Prof. Milica Radisic’s lab at the University of Toronto. TARA developed physiologically relevant 3D cardiac tissue models for cardiac risk assessment and drug discovery applications. Previously, Dr. Ushio served as Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director of Harris & Harris Group, where she advised and invested in life sciences companies. Dr. Ushio has also held management roles at Merck & Company, where she developed vaccines and biological products, and Columbia Technology Ventures, where she managed the intellectual property of several scientific and engineering portfolios. She has also served as a Director on the boards of private and public life sciences companies. Dr. Ushio holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University, and a PhD in Biochemical Engineering from University College London. In this episode we discuss with Dr. Ushio her career journey, highlighting her entrepreneurial experience at different companies and entrepreneurial stages. We also discuss the foundation, growth, and acquisition of TARA Biosystems, the field of biotech generally, and the transition to a career in Venture Capital.Digitalis Ventures is a venture capital firm with headquarters in New York City. They invest in solutions to complex problems in human and animal health and support entrepreneurs, scientists, and inventors in their entrepreneurial ventures.

Our latest episode features Chris Ghadban, Chief of Staff at Alix Ventures. He joined the company as a Venture Follow in the summer of 2021 and has been working as Chief of Staff since February 2022. Mr. Ghadban is focused on techbio platforms and on supporting early-stage life science startups. Prior to Alix Ventures, Chris was a Senior Strategy & Innovation Associate with AstraZeneca’s Emerging Innovations Unit, where he scouted early-stage technologies to catalyze through collaborative partnerships and built a global startup mentoring program. Mr. Ghadban has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology Engineering and a Master of Science in Bioengineering, both from Tufts University. He is currently earning his MBA from University of Pennsylvania. In this episode we discuss with Mr. Ghadban his career journey, highlighting the several entrepreneurial-related roles he has had, from a life science consultant to his role at AstraZeneca, and his transition to venture capital. We also talk about BIOS, an online community started by Mr. Chadban, Alix Ventures and life science professionals, founders, VC, professors, and others, all with the same goal of accelerating life science startup innovation. Alix Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco. They support early-stage life science startups, with a special focus on techbio companies.