Transition to Industry: February 21 & 22, 2024
The Torrey Pines Training Consortium has developed this course for early career scientists who are thinking of transitioning to a career in industry. Instructors and panelists with extensive industry experience will share their insights and provide guidance to help clarify the pathway to establishing a successful career in industry from academia. Participants will gain an understanding of corporate culture and practice and of industry priorities and operational areas. While this course is designed for postdoctoral scholars, graduate students and research staff may also find this training informative and may attend.
Testimonials from 2024 attendees:
“Must do for trainees looking to transition into industry”
“I appreciate the inclusion of diverse speakers and panelists in the different talks, that
motivated me and helped me realizer different perspectives and opportunities in the industry
sector.”
“I feel more clear and confident about my career path.”
Sessions will take place each event day from 10:00 am-2:00pm (PT) via Zoom with an optional in-person networking reception (for TPTC registrants only).
Non-TPTC Members are welcome! Please register here:
TPTC Members (UCSD, Salk, SBP, Scripps Research), please register using your institute email here:
AGENDA
February 21, 2024
10:00 am – 11:00 am: PhD Careers & Culture in Industry
- Christopher Dillon, Ph.D. | Director, Translational Sciences | Oncology R&D, Pfizer
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Communicating in a Matrixed Team Environment
- Christopher Dillon, Ph.D. and Team | Oncology R&D, Pfizer
- Stephen Searles, Ph.D. | Principal Scientist, Translational Sciences | Oncology R&D, Pfizer
- Calvin Lee, M.S. | Scientist, Translational Sciences | Oncology R&D, Pfizer
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Communicating Across an Organization
- John Satumba, Ph.D. | VP Food Innovation | Cargill
February 22, 2024
10:00 am – 11:00 am: Job Search Success…Preparing for an Industry Career
- Josh Henkin, Ph.D. | FDA Regulated Product Program Manager | Founder, STEM Career Services
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Insiders View of Interviewing and Hiring
- Madonna Moreno | Director of People Operations | DermTech
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Transitioning To and Succeeding In Industry (Panel)
- Eulalia Coutinho, Ph.D. | Senior Scientist | Crinetics Pharmaceuticals
- Fereshte Ghorbani, Ph.D. | Medicinal Chemist | Neurocrine Biosciences
- Shefali Krishna, Ph.D. | Senior Scientist | Amgen
- Mafalda Loreti, Ph.D. | Senior Scientist | Johnson & Johnson
4:00 – 5:30 pm: Networking Reception*
*Optional opportunity to network in person with Ph.D. professionals in the San Diego area. The networking session is only open to registrants from UCSD, Scripps Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and Salk Institute. Location: Copa Vida 10578 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92121.
Speaker Bios:
SPEAKER: Josh Henkin, Ph.D.
FDA Regulated Product Program Manager & Founder, STEM Career Services
After years of successfully mentoring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) job seekers, in 2014 Josh founded STEM Career Services, a career coaching company aimed at helping STEM graduates start and sustain careers outside of academia. Josh speaks and conducts workshops at conferences, universities, and institutes across the country and provides career coaching to STEM graduates at all career levels. These efforts earned Josh two elected terms on the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) Board of Directors, where he sat on the executive committee and served as the nonprofit’s treasurer. In addition, Josh is an American Association for the Advancement of Science AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship and AAAS Science Careers and Career Development Center (CDC) Subject Matter Expert/Career Coach. He has created several online courses for the CDC and is invited to deliver workshops and panel discussions at AAAS events.
Concurrent with his work at STEM Career Services, Josh is a Senior Program and Portfolio Manager with Tunnell Consulting, a science and technology consulting company. Josh provides technical and programmatic support to the Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA) and Department of Defense (DoD) vaccine and therapeutic development programs. Currently, Josh is working on developing numerous COVID-19 vaccines under the Countermeasures Acceleration Group (formerly known as Operation Warp Speed).
Prior to these roles, Josh worked at Medtronic as a Principle Field Scientist in its cardiac rhythm disease management division, where he managed a portfolio of investigator-initiated clinical trials to promote innovative research with implantable cardiac devices. And before this as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, Josh worked with the DoD as a scientific advisor for the Undersecretary of Defense for Laboratories and Basic Sciences, creating policies and managing basic science research programs.
A lifelong athlete, Josh played rugby for 20 years at the collegiate, national, and international levels. He has authored research articles on muscle, exercise physiology, and fitness, is a certified strength and conditioning coach, and has started several companies in the exercise and fitness space. He holds a BS in business administration, a MS in nutritional sciences, and a PhD in cell and molecular biology – all from the University of Vermont.
SPEAKER: Christopher Dillon, Ph.D.
Director, Translational Sciences Immunopharmacology, Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer
As the Director of Translational Science Immunopharmacology, Chris leads a team of fourteen people working on an oncology drug development portfolio focused on immunological mechanisms. Chris started his tenure at Pfizer in 2016 as a Senior Scientist in the In Vivo Pharmacology group within the Oncology Research Unit after completing his postdoctoral training in the lab of Doug Green at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where he focused on cell death, particularly the development biology of necroptosis, a programmed form of necrotic cell death. Chris has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from UC Davis and a Ph.D. in Biology from MIT, where he worked on generating lentiviral shRNA transgenics under the mentorship of Luk Van Parijs and Phil Sharp. Chris enjoys mentoring and developing the potential of his team members while advancing research to support the development of lifesaving therapies that enhance patient lives.
SPEAKER: Madonna Moreno, M.B.A.
Director of People Operations, DermTech
Madonna Moreno boasts nearly 25 years in HR, currently as Director of People Operations at DermTech. With a passion for crafting thriving workplaces and working with brilliant Life Sciences talent, her interest in people and making work better is a lifelong commitment. A true San Diego native, she’s deeply ingrained in the Biotech community’s professional tapestry and formerly served as the President of LifeHR San Diego, an HR resource group for biotech professionals.
SPEAKER: John Satumba, Ph.D.
Vice President of Food Innovation, Cargill
John Satumba is currently the Cargill Americas Indulgence and Oils R&D Leader. He started his 17-year career in Cargill R&D Shared Capabilities as a Senior Scientist. Since then, he has held multiple
roles in Project Management, Product Development, Applications, Analytical Chemistry and Technical Services. John holds dual degrees in Chemistry and Biology from Rust College, a PhD in Chemistry from Ole Miss and an MBA in Strategy and Consulting from the Carlson School of Management.
John is passionate about business-focused science and developing talent. In academia he gives back by teaching seminars at University of Mississippi, Texas A&M and Alabama A&M. Outside of work John loves to spend time with his family, travel back home to Zimbabwe, golf, and read. He is active in the Minneapolis community serving as a board member of The Bell Museum of Natural Sciences.
In person Networking session for local postdocs, graduate students, and alumni.
Torrey Pines Training Consortium (TPTC) 