Update! Watch the recording of this talk.
This talk is an activity from the FEBS Junior Section, an initiative set up by students and young researchers from some of the FEBS Constituent Societies. Each month a Junior Section from one of the participant Societies organizes an online event on either an academic or a career topic. This February talk is a career event organised by the SEBBM Junior Consuls, the Junior Section of the Spanish Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Speaker: Prof. Andreas Hougaard Laustsen, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Topic: “Bridging academia and bioentrepreneurship”
Time: 10 February 2022, 19:00 (CET)
For more information, see the presentation abstract below and visit the Tropical Pharmacology Lab website.
The lab specializes in antibody discovery and synthetic biology, and focuses on developing biotherapeutics and diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases and other infectious diseases. A key area of interest for them is developing panels of antibodies that can neutralize toxins from snakes, scorpions, spiders, and bees.
Abstract
I will discuss the challenges and opportunities of engaging in innovation and entrepreneurship activities as an academic and share my personal career story. I will present how I ended up founding 6 biotech companies by the age of 30, while simultaneously building an academic group centered around antibody technologies with a special focus on neglected tropical diseases. Combined, the companies now employ 60+ and the research group 30+ employees, where the majority are scientists. I will finish off with some insight into how day-to-day life looks as Denmark’s youngest professor at age 34, and how I perceive my career perspectives for the future.
Key points: Engaging in entrepreneurship may strengthen your academic career; Soft skills are important in scientific leadership; Creativity can be trained; High integrity and empathy a key to successful collaborations.
The FEBS Junior Section
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