Leaving Academia and the Journey Back
Monday, April 29th, 2024, 5:30 – 6:30 PM CST (Virtual)
Are you curious about the journey back to academia after pursuing a career in industry or government? This week’s “What Can I Do with My PhD?” Career Panel will feature academics who have successfully transitioned back to academia following their experiences in industry or government roles. Join our panelists as they share their inspiring journeys of returning to academia, navigating the challenges, and seizing the opportunities in their transition, and gain valuable insights as you pave your career path.
Lauren Kokai, PhD
Scientist and Consultant | Now Assistant Professor at University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Kokai received her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pittsburgh. Following completion of her degree, she took a Scientist position in industry at a major International pharmaceutical company, Allergan, which is now part of Abbvie. She has extensive research experience in soft tissue engineering, wound healing and in tissue-derived medical products. Currently, she is the codirector of the Adipose Stem Cell Center at the University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Plastic Surgery, and an internationally recognized thought leader in adipose-derived therapeutics. She is a recent past President of the International Federation of Adipose Therapeutics and Science, the primiere scientific and clinical society focused on improving health through basic science and clinical research with adipose tissue. In her current leadership role, she provides essential laboratory support for clinical-sponsored research studies, NIH and DOD supported programs, and in multiple projects receiving private foundation awards.
Olivia Lu, PhD
AbbVie and AstraZeneca Scientist | Now Associate Professor at UCSF
Dr. Rongze “Olivia” Lu is an Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and Brain Tumor Center at UCSF. Her lab is focused on investigating the molecular mechanisms of immune suppression and evasion in brain tumor microenvironment with the goal to develop novel immunotherapeutic for brain tumor. Dr. Lu’s previous research has identified that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulates immune suppression and evasion in cancer cells, macrophages and T cells in multiple tumor models. Based on those findings, a Phase I/II trial (NCT03027388) of PP2A inhibitor in recurrent glioblastoma and Phase I/II( NCT06065462) of PP2A inhibitor combined with PD-1 antibody for ovarian cancer were initiated.
Dr. Lu received her Ph.D in Cancer Immunology from Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope. After her post doctorate studies at Genentech, she was research scientist and group leader at AstraZeneca and AbbVie before moving back to academia as a tenure track assistant professor at UT Austin. She serves on the Early Career Scientist Committee since 2020 and has organized grant writing workshop for SITC annual meeting since 2020. She has received Career Development Award for Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program from Department of Defense, Early Career Investigator Award from Keystone conference, NIH SPORE award and a RO1 award.
Amir Bahadori, PhD
NASA Scientist | Now Associate Professor at KSU
Dr. Amir A. Bahadori received his MS in nuclear engineering sciences in 2010 and his PhD in biomedical engineering in 2012 from the University of Florida. He worked at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center as a contractor from 2010-2013 and then as a civil servant from 2013-2015. Prof. Bahadori began his professional career in academia as an assistant professor at Kansas State University in 2015, earning tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2021. His research program is focused on characterization of radiation environments, understanding the response of humans and electronics to radiation exposure using experimental and computational techniques, and radiation imaging.