Four Cornell Weill Institute alumni returned to Ithaca to show graduate researchers how laboratory training can lead to careers in biotechnology, government science and university teaching.
At the institute's Oct. 12 retreat at the Robert Purcell Community Center, the alumni described career changes, collaborations and skills that carried beyond their doctoral projects, according to the Weill Institute's account.
A return to academia after biotechnology
Heather Meyer, an assistant professor at Syracuse University and former member of the Roeder lab, described a path that took her from academic plant research into biotechnology and back to a faculty position.
Following a postdoctoral appointment, she worked on producing dairy proteins in soybeans. She kept connections with academic science through conferences, reviewing papers and an interest group, helping her maintain relationships and research interests during her time in industry.
Her experience showed students how a career can change direction while drawing on the same research background. Adaptability and continued engagement with other scientists helped her navigate those moves.
Following a scientific question into a new field
Jon Paczkowski, a Wadsworth Center scientist and University at Albany associate professor, discussed moving from the Fromme lab to research on bacterial communication.
A talk by Princeton scientist Bonnie Bassler helped spark that interest and led him toward a postdoctoral position at Princeton. He combined his structural biology training with questions about how bacteria communicate, illustrating how a new research interest can build on earlier technical experience.
Using laboratory skills in drug development
Pragya Shah, a senior scientist at AbbVie and former member of the Lammerding lab, described how collaborative bioengineering research prepared her for industry.
An internship at Genentech gave her experience outside academia. After graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic, she also drew on advice from alumni while considering her next steps.
Her current work uses cell-based tests to evaluate therapeutic antibodies. The scientific setting has changed, but designing experiments, working across specialties and interpreting results remain central to the job.
Adnan Shami Shah, a senior scientist at Flagship Pioneering and former member of the Baskin lab, described translating research on extracellular vesicles and cellular signaling toward diagnostic applications.
He emphasized collaboration with people who bring different areas of expertise, as well as the process of identifying useful scientific targets.
Research careers require more than experiments
The discussion also covered managing teams, communicating with people outside a specialty and finding a productive laboratory culture. Those responsibilities can become increasingly important as scientists move into positions that require them to lead projects and work across disciplines.
Researchers from all 13 Weill Institute laboratories participated in the retreat, spanning molecular biology, chemistry, microbiology, computational work, biomedical science and plant research. A poster session and reception gave students and other researchers opportunities to discuss their work with one another and the returning alumni.
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