Careers in Discovery

Grahame Mckenzie, Sentinel Oncology

Most Biotech careers aren’t built on big breakthroughs; they’re built on tough calls.

In this episode, Grahame Mackenzie shares what it really takes to build in Biotech, from scaling tiny teams into clinic-delivering companies to knowing when to kill your own projects.

He breaks down the mindset shift many scientists struggle with letting go of emotional attachment to the science, making ruthless decisions, and focusing on what turns into a drug.

Grahame’s message is clear: the difference isn’t ideas, it’s the people you build with, and the decisions you’re willing to make.

Andrea Braun-Scherhag, SVP Global Head of Regulatory Affairs & Safety

In this episode, Andrea Braun-Scherhag, SVP and Global Head of Regulatory Affairs & Safety at Autolus, breaks down what it really takes to bring breakthrough therapies to market, especially when there’s no established playbook. From securing rapid global approvals to navigating entirely new pathways in cell and gene therapy, she shares why regulatory sits at the centre of Biotech success.

Andrea challenges the common perception of regulatory as operational, revealing it instead as one of the most impactful, forward-looking functions in any biotech. She also highlights the importance of engaging regulators early, aligning teams behind a clear strategy, and putting patients at the heart of development, particularly in rare diseases.

Dan Tardiff, CAMP4 Therapeutics

What does it really take to progress from bench science to leading a Biotech platform as Chief Scientific Officer?

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Daniel Tardiff, CSO at Camp4 Therapeutics, shares a candid look at building and scaling science inside an early‑stage biotech. From his foundations in RNA biology to advancing antisense programmes for haploinsufficiency-driven neurodevelopmental disorders, Dan unpacks how translational judgement is developed over time, not taught.

Key takeaway: Career progression isn’t about having perfect answers. It’s about making credible decisions under uncertainty and bringing others with you as the science scales.

Adrian Gabriel Torres, Aptadel Therapeutics

In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Adrian Gabriel Torres, Chief Scientific Officer at Aptadel Therapeutics, talks about developing RNA aptamer–based cancer therapies and leading scientific strategy in a preclinical biotech start-up. Adrian also shares his journey from academic research into industry, reflecting on the differences between academia and biotech, learning new skill sets, managing teams, and making career decisions along the way.

Rachel Abbott, Pan Cancer T

This week on Careers on Discovery, we’re joined by Rachel Abbott, CEO of Pan Cancer T.

Rachel shares her journey from academic science into biotech leadership, reflecting on the pivotal moments that shaped her career - from early setbacks at university to working on T‑cell therapies that reached patients, and ultimately stepping into a first‑time CEO role. We discuss Pan Cancer T’s work developing next‑generation T‑cell therapies for solid tumours, and the challenges of translating complex science into the clinic.

She also reflects on confidence, resilience, and why saying yes to opportunities before you feel ready has been a defining theme throughout her career.

Ignacio Moraga, TECregen AG

This week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Ignacio Moraga, CSO and co‑founder of TECRegen.

Ignacio shares his journey from Madrid to the Pasteur Institute, Stanford and Dundee, and now into biotech entrepreneurship. We talk about his work regenerating the thymus to rejuvenate the immune system, the science that inspired TECRegen, and the emerging opportunities in healthy ageing and immunotherapy.

He also reflects on navigating academia, the importance of resilience, why understanding “how the game is played” matters for early scientists, and what ultimately drew him from a successful academic career into building companies.

Sarah Almond, NRG Therapeutics

This week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Sarah Almond, VP of Translational Biology at NRG Therapeutics.

Sarah shares her journey from early lab work to leading translational science on a first in class neurodegeneration programme. We talk about the serendipity that shaped her career, the importance of early hands-on experience, and how redundancies opened unexpected doors.

Sarah reflects on leadership; from learning to give difficult feedback, to the responsibility that comes with shaping people’s day to day wellbeing, to the power of listening when managing teams. She also discusses adapting to biotech’s fast pace, navigating uncertainty, and the mindset needed to thrive in a small, mission driven environment.

Jonathan Levenson, FireCyte Therapeutics

This week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Jonathan Levenson, CSO at FireCyte Therapeutics. Jonathan shares his unconventional journey from early curiosity about biology to a career spanning neuroscience research, Biotech innovation, and scientific leadership.

We explore his transition from academia to industry, the lessons he learned building discovery platforms and leading translational programs, and how embracing storytelling and stakeholder alignment shaped his leadership approach.

Jonathan also takes us inside the creation of FireCyte - from reimagining the retina as a window into neurodegeneration to navigating an early scientific pivot that reshaped the company’s direction. His experience is a compelling reminder that breakthrough progress often starts with challenging assumptions and following the data.