Transitioning from Academia to Industry

Students from the life-science programs at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University crowded into the Biotechnology Center today to learn how to make the challenging leap from an academic environment to an industry job.

The attendees got to network with post doctorates currently in the Center's Industrial Fellowship program and mingle with top industry executives from North Carolina's biotechnology companies.

In its second year, the Industrial Fellowship program currently has eight fellows getting a start to their careers with North Carolina companies. The event was created to inform potential applicants of the program; but more importantly, it provided an opportunity to learn from those that have been there. All eight fellows were in attendance today.

The event was followed by a luncheon for the fellows, with a presentation by Christy Shaffer, who recently announced plans to step down as president and CEO of Inspire Pharmaceuticals. Shaffer spoke about her own personal journey from academia to working in industry.

Afterwards the fellows had the opportunity to mingle with their mentors and Biotechnology Center staff members.