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Career Catalyst | Bridging the Gap: Academia ↔ Industry
Career paths in life sciences are increasingly fluid, with full-time and part-time/project-based roles on the rise. Moving between academia and industry—whether in a permanent position or through part-time projects—can present unique challenges.
This Career Catalyst session explores the two-way bridge between these worlds, offering practical strategies for professionals transitioning in either direction. Attendees will gain insights into how to translate skills, navigate culture differences, and leverage experiences to succeed in a new environment.
You’ll walk away with:
Understanding key similarities and differences between academic and industry environments
Strategies for translating technical, research, and soft skills across sectors and role types
Tips for navigating culture, expectations, and communication in both settings
Confidence to plan and execute a successful transition, whether moving full-time or part-time, in academia or industry
Who Should Attend Life sciences professionals at any career stage considering a move—full-time or part-time—between academia and industry, or anyone interested in understanding how experiences transfer across these environments.
About the Expert
Sneha Saggurthi
Sneha began her career in academic research as an undergraduate before entering the Cell and Gene therapy space through GMP manufacturing. Her career has since evolved from the cleanroom into industry training, and ultimately into quality compliance and audit leadership, giving her a rare, end-to-end perspective on how scientific work translates into regulated industry environments and how professionals are developed to succeed within them. Today, she is a Quality Compliance Manager at Cartesian Therapeutics, where she leads critical quality programs and drives inspection readiness across regulated environments.
In parallel, Sneha serves as an adjunct instructor for Frederick Community College’s Biotech Bootcamp program, a rigorous, skills-based training initiative designed to help individuals, including those from non-traditional backgrounds, successfully transition into the biopharma industry. She also supports EmpowerBio’s workforce initiatives, teaching and engaging audiences that range from middle school students to NIH employees.
Having lived on both sides of academia and industry, Sneha recognizes that the two often share the same mission but speak very different languages. Her work focuses on helping these worlds better understand one another by translating skills, expectations, and culture, and by equipping professionals with the confidence to navigate an increasingly fluid life sciences workforce.
Sneha is also a proud member of Women In Bio’s Capital Region chapter, where she actively champions the power of networking and community in building sustainable careers. She emphasizes that while technical skills are critical, relationships, mentorship, and visibility are often the catalysts that enable successful transitions and long-term growth in the life sciences.
About the Program
Career Catalyst
Career Catalyst is BioBuzz’s flagship weekly virtual series connecting life sciences professionals with experts and actionable insights. The program runs every Tuesday @ 12 PM EST for approximately 45 minutes:
20-minute expert presentation
25-minute live, open Q&A
Sessions rotate through four thematic tracks with new experts each week, ensuring content stays relevant for life sciences professionals at every career stage. Each track is community-led and hosted by our Career Community Ambassadors.
Tracks include:
➡️ Career Navigation — Networking, skill-building, and strategies to advance your career across all life sciences disciplines. Hosted by Crystal Richards, Principal & Owner, MindsparQ.
➡️ Focus: Emerging — Deep dives on trends, innovations, and opportunities shaping the life sciences ecosystem and their relevance to your professional growth. Hosted by Jake Rodriguez, Marketing Director, Triangle Biotech Tuesday.
➡️ Biomanufacturing — Insights into the backbone of biotech success, shaping the industry and your career. Hosted by Paris McKenzie, Manufacturing Technician, Longeviti Neuro Solutions.
➡️ CQV & Validation — Insights into compliance, quality systems, and operational standards that underpin high-performing life sciences organizations and support your professional growth. Hosted by Kayla Britt, Founder & Principal Consultant, Britt Biocomputing.
Sponsors
Bio-Trac
With over 30 years of expertise, Bio-Trac® workshops have trained more than 17,000 scientists and engaged 300 scientist instructors. Designed by active researchers and open to the scientific community, these workshops equip bench and research scientists with the latest lab techniques and provide training on cutting-edge biotechnology advancements to a global audience across all biotech sectors.
Workforce Genetics
Workforce Genetics (WGx) is a premier recruiting firm serving the life sciences, MedTech, and healthcare sectors, supporting companies from startup to commercial. The firm delivers transformative talent strategies through retained and executive search, contingent search, and outsourced talent acquisition.
Important Information
BioBuzz's Career Catalyst sessions are intended to provide insights, guidance, and support for professionals navigating their careers. These sessions are not a platform for selling services, recruitment pitches, or business solicitations. They are designed for job seekers and those looking to make connections and build community.
Please be respectful of fellow participants and help ensure this remains a valuable, trusted resource for all.
Participants who engage in solicitation, promotional activity, or behavior that disrupts the intent of the session will be asked to leave.
Repeated or serious violations may result in removal from the session and exclusion from future Career Catalyst events.
Want to be an expert guest?
If you’re interested in sharing your knowledge with the BioBuzz community, get in touch via hello [@] biobuzz.io.