Q. Where do you currently work?
A. I work at SanBio, Inc., a start-up biotech company developing cell therapies for regenerative medicine.
Q. What is your role at SanBio?
A. I am VP, Research. I have responsibility for Research, Manufacturing and Quality.
Q. What is a typical day like for you on the job?
A. Discussing results and direction with scientists, communicating with potential partners (both academic and corporate), writing grant applications, dealing with budgetary issues.
Q. What skills are necessary to be successful in your job?
A. Good scientific foundation. Broad experience. Good communication skills. Optimism. Enthusiasm. Leadership. Vision.
Q. What do you like most about what you do?
A. I like working on the scientific cutting edge. Every day is new. I love the people I work with. We are trying to do something good.
Q. How did you end up working at SanBio?
A. I was contacted by an executive recruiter. I was looking for a position in stem cell biology or systems biology. The match was good.
Q. Why did you choose to go into the field you are in?
A. Biotech appealed to me from the beginning of my training. I wanted to work toward a practical end. I liked the idea of the team approach common in biotech research. I fell in love with biochemistry and molecular biology as an undergraduate.
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I have an AA from Goldenwest College in Huntington Beach, a BS in Biology from San Diego State, took night classes in biochemistry at Long Beach State, have a Ph.D. in biochemistry from UC Davis and postdoctoral work in molecular genetics at UCLA. I am a product of the full spectrum of public education in California.
Q. How did your education play a role in where you are now?
A. It made me who I am. The educational opportunities in California are abundant, forgiving and vast. I was a poor student in high school. I did well enough in community college to transfer into the CSU system (but not the UC). I did well enough at SDSU to get into a very good program at Davis for grad school. I did well enough in grad school to get a postdoc in a high profile lab at UCLA. I got off to a slow start. It took a lot of hard work, but I was able to reach the highest levels of the scientific world through the opportunities provided by the California public education system.
Q. What are your near-term and long-term career goals?
A. I would like to see the SanBio lead product succeed in clinical trials. I may have one or two start-ups left in me after that. I have no plans to retire.
Q. What advice would you give to students and professionals currently in the life sciences industry considering a career in your field?
A. Students, get lab experience. Volunteer if you have to, but get "hands on" experience somehow. Follow what interests you, not what is trendy or hot at the moment. Things will change. Young professionals, work hard, play fair and be bold. Don't fear failure. Work on something you can be passionate about. Help others if you can.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to mention?
A. Curiosity, energy, optimism and honesty are the most important attributes of a scientist. Consciously cultivate them.
Field: Stem Cell Research and Development (R&D)
Job: VP of Research
Company: SanBio
