My interview with Women+ in MedTeCH

Last December, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Women+ in MedTeCH.

The mission of Women+ in MedTeCH is to highlight and celebrate the work of underrepresented individuals and companies in the Medtech industry, while sharing cutting-edge news, projects, and solutions that prioritize diversity and inclusivity. Through their articles and posts, they aim to foster awareness, encourage collaboration, and drive positive change in the world of medical technology.

W+MT: Can you provide a brief overview of your background and how you entered the field of pharma and medical technology?

Laurence: I earned a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Biology from CY Cergy Paris Université in 2015. I then pursued a Master's in Immunology at Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), graduating in 2017, and completed a PhD in Cancer and Immunology at the University of Lausanne in 2022.

From 2019 to 2023, I was actively involved in the nonprofit organization BSNL BioScience Network Lausanne, serving as President for two years. During this time, I provided leadership to BSNL members, overseeing events.

I entered the Biotech, Pharma, and MedTech sectors through my role as an innovation scout at Biopôle Lausanne, where I was responsible for identifying innovations for Biopôle’s corporate partners.

W+MT: What inspired you to pursue your current career?

Laurence: My work with the Bioscience Network Lausanne (BSNL) has been a significant source of inspiration. I had the opportunity to learn more about various fields, such as MedTech, Biotech, and Pharma, through the speakers invited to the events we organized. A particular collaboration between BSNL and my current employer, Biopôle SA, played a pivotal role in shaping my career. Collaborating with Biopôle SA while being part of the association allowed me to discover what a life sciences hub is and understand the crucial role it plays in the Swiss Life Sciences ecosystem.

W+MT: What challenges have you encountered in your career, and how did you overcome them?

Laurence: Transitioning from my doctoral research at the university to my role as a project lead in the private sector was challenging. I had to learn an entirely new set of jargon that was completely different from my PhD experience.

 It was uncomfortable at first not to understand everything, but I made it a point to ask questions whenever something wasn't clear. Over time, I gradually learned what I needed to know, and I’m still learning every day.

Another key difference I discovered in the private sector was that, even as a project lead, decision-making is collaborative. Colleagues and stakeholders each have their own roles in the project, and decisions are made together. Now, I truly appreciate this collaborative aspect.

W+MT: What is your current status and next big milestones?

Laurence: I am currently a Project Lead in Business Intelligence, responsible for innovation scouting for Biopôle's corporate partnerships, including large MedTech, Biotech, Pharma, and clinics. My role involves conducting in-depth data analysis to ensure Biopôle SA's alignment with its long-term goals. Additionally, I am the lead organizer of the Biopôle Discovery Day—an annual event designed for Master’s and PhD students, young professionals, and academic researchers interested in exploring career paths beyond academia, much like the work I did at BSNL.

My next major milestone is stepping into the role of Business Intelligence Manager at Biopôle SA. This is an exciting new phase in my career, and I am eager to see what opportunities it will bring.

W+MT: Are there emerging technologies that you find particularly exciting or promising for the future of Life Sciences?

Laurence: During my innovation search and evaluation, I am seeing a lot of emerging technologies that I find promising for the future of Life Sciences. I find particularly exciting what is happening in the field of digital health.

With the emergence of technologies such as wearables, mobile health apps, and cloud-based platforms, digital health is enabling continuous monitoring of patients, faster diagnosis, and personalized medical interventions for instance.

W+MT: What advice would you give to individuals aspiring to enter the field?

Laurence: It is important to stay curious—actively seeking information on LinkedIn or at events. Don't hesitate to conduct informal interviews with professionals already working in the field. Your first job might not be your dream role, but it's still valuable work experience that will provide plenty of learning opportunities. So, stay open-minded and embrace each experience as a chance to grow.

W+MT: Are there specific skills or qualities you believe are crucial for success in the Life Sciences industry?

Laurence: I believe that luck plays a significant role in success in life. It's important to acknowledge the impact of being in the right place at the right time. However, beyond luck, I would say that passion for the field, curiosity, and a love for continuous learning are essential for thriving in the Life Sciences industry. Having good mentors to seek advice from is also crucial for personal and professional growth.

W+MT: What motivates you? What is your why?

Laurence: Helping those around me is a major source of motivation for me. I am where I am today because others chose to support me throughout my life, so I believe it's only fair to pay it forward. I truly believe that by helping others, we also help ourselves.

Additionally, my desire to understand how things work and satisfy my curiosity has always driven me. I've been asking questions about the world around me for as long as I can remember. This curiosity led me to pursue a PhD, where I could explore numerous questions and test hypotheses through experiments. As long as I’m learning and applying what I’ve learned, my motivation remains strong.

W+MT: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations or goals within the Life Sciences industry?

Laurence: I’ve always been driven by a curiosity for the complexities within the Life Sciences field, so my goal is to keep learning and evolving, I am particularly interested in contributing to areas where advanced technologies intersect with medical innovation, such as MedTech and digital health solutions.

Ultimately, I aim to make a meaningful impact by supporting projects that lead to more effective, efficient, and accessible healthcare solutions.

W+MT: How do you approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work?

Laurence: Due to my origins, I have always been sensitive to issues of diversity and equity in life in general. My approach is primarily personal, particularly through my readings, as many have already explored this topic, and it is worthwhile to draw inspiration from their work.

In my current job, I can provide an example of how I pay attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As I said above, every year, we organize Biopôle Discovery Day, I actively ensure the diversity of the speakers' profiles so that all participants can see themselves and identify with the backgrounds of the speakers.

I am at the beginning of my career, but I hope I will always pay attention and be proactive in ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in my work.