Beatrice Tassone,PhD - Lab Head R&D

Beatrice Tassone, PhD - Lab Head at DSM-Firmenich

Where are you from, and what is your educational background?

I am an Italian national with a university degree in Molecular Biotechnology from the University of Turin. I subsequently obtained my PhD in Molecular Medicine at the University of Turin and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Lausanne (UNIL FBM / CHUV). I began my research career in Italy during my Master's and later PhD, working in Professor Calautti's lab at the University of Turin. In his laboratory, I focused on skin stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. I also collaborated with several research groups in the field of skin biology. Later, during my postdoctoral work in Professor Gian-Paolo Dotto's lab at Unil (FBM), I focused on skin cancers (melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and cancer-associated fibroblasts biology. During this five-year period, I worked on a project aimed at identifying genetic variants associated with increased cancer susceptibility in a population study comparing Caucasian and Black African ethnicities.

When did you transition into industry?

Two and a half years ago, I transitioned from academia to industry when I joined the former DSM company (now known as dsm-firmenich) as a Scientist.

What is your current position, and what do you do?

My current role is Global Senior Scientist and Head of the R&D Laboratory for Skin Biology. In this position, I manage the laboratory team, and we focus on developing new internal assays on various topics of interest (from skin barrier function to anti-aging claims) for the cosmetic industry. Our goal is to test the efficacy of new or existing skin actives for our portfolio. I am part of the Beauty and Care department at dsm-firmenich, within the Claim Substantiation team, with the mission of developing active ingredients for the cosmetic industry.

Is your job related to the work you did during your PhD and Posdoc?

In my current position, I have been able to leverage the knowledge gained during my PhD and postdoctoral research, as I have always worked in the dermatology field. The competencies I acquired in my previous roles are now key assets that I bring to my current position, aligning well with both my professional experience and the business objectives of my team.

How did you adapt to the cultural and operational differences between academia and your current role?

After my transition, I had to adapt my mindset—previously focused primarily on basic research—to fit within a business model where research is important and valued but also part of a structured strategy aimed at generating innovation and, ultimately, bringing products to market. Fortunately, I landed in a role that is not purely business-oriented but still allows me to explore new fields related to cosmetic sciences, build knowledge, publish scientific work, and attend conferences. At the same time, I collaborate with various stakeholders to develop active ingredients tailored to skin needs.

From this perspective, the transition was not too drastic, as I maintained a research-oriented approach while adapting to business requirements. Additionally, I learned to handle new tasks that I had never encountered in academia, such as working with marketing teams, conducting cosmetic clinical studies, and collaborating with various stakeholders.

What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of activities—from hands-on research in the lab to promotional activities for specific platforms and products. The broad skill set I have developed is a result of working across multiple domains rather than being confined to a narrowly defined role with limited job functions.

What challenges did you face during this transition and after?

When I transitioned from academia to industry, I faced numerous challenges—not only in developing new skills but also during the job search itself. Finding the right job descriptions to apply for was quite difficult because the required skills were often unfamiliar to me, or at least described in a way that differed from academia. It was only later that I realized there is a significant difference in how competencies and roles are defined in academia versus the private sector, making this transition less straightforward than expected.

What helped you succeed in your career transition?

During my career transition, I attended a few career events to better understand how to position myself in the job market and identify suitable roles. Ultimately, LinkedIn proved to be the most valuable tool in securing my current job. I applied to a job posting from the former DSM on LinkedIn, was contacted by the company, and completed the entire hiring process from there. In the end, it all started with a simple online application on LinkedIn.

What advice made the most difference in your professional development?

I believe the most important advice I received during my job search was not to limit myself to job listings that perfectly matched my profile. I was advised that I could still be a strong candidate for positions with slightly different requirements from my actual field of expertise. In fact, I was told that I had a good chance of landing a job even if my profile matched only 70–80% of the listed requirements. Therefore, I was encouraged to apply anyway to avoid missing potential opportunities.

Most job postings highlight only some of the required skills, and it is not always clear which ones are the most critical. Often, it is through live interviews and discussions about your experience that you realize you could be a good fit—even if this was not immediately obvious from the job description.

What can I wish you for the years to come?

In the years to come, I aspire to grow both personally and professionally in my field, aiming to be recognized and appreciated not only within my company but also more broadly in the cosmetic industry. I do not necessarily expect—or at least not at this moment—to change companies, as I enjoy my current role and align with the company’s values. However, I hope to continue growing within the organization, possibly taking on higher-profile roles that allow me to further develop and apply my skills.

Beatrice’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatricetassone/