Academia vs Industry

28 November 2024 - Ghent ICC

This interesting discussion is for MSc and PhD students and postdocs who are on the fence. Do you want to continue your career in academic research, or should you try working in the industry? In this session our academic or industry experts will discuss the pros and cons of both paths. At the end of the session, the audience (you!) will get the opportunity to get involved.

Joleen Masschelein | Assistant Professor | KU Leuven | Group Leader | VIB

Joleen Masschelein is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology at KU Leuven and a Group Leader at VIB, the leading Life Science Research Institute in Belgium. She is also a visiting Professor at the Tianjin Institute for Industrial Biotechnology in China. Her research is driven by a passion for discovering and developing new drugs and treatments, leveraging the extraordinary biosynthetic capabilities of bacteria. Joleen has a degree and a PhD in Bioscience Engineering, and has held postdoctoral  fellowships at the University of Warwick in the UK and the KU Leuven Rega Institute, supported by the European Commission and the Research Foundation Flanders. In 2023, she was awarded a prestigious 1.5 million EUR Starting Grant from the European Research Council to harness the power of beneficial gut microbes for the development of innovative cancer therapies that are more effective and safe. In just over three years, she has assembled a multidisciplinary team of 30 scientists from diverse backgrounds, including chemistry, microbiology, engineering and bioinformatics.

Liselot De Vlieger | Senior Researcher | Hogeschool VIVES 

Dr. Liselot De Vlieger is a senior researcher within the Research Group Food Processing at University College Vives. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and a bachelor's degree in Dietetics. Her doctoral research involved clinical trials on the reintroduction of hen's egg-containing foods in children with egg allergies, examining immunological responses and the role of food matrices in egg protein allergenicity. Currently, dr. De Vlieger oversees several international projects, including I3-4 Seaweed, which focuses on seaweed innovations across Europe, and the Erasmus+ Prochef initiative, aimed at integrating the protein transition into culinary education. She also co-leads the C3weed project with KULAK, focusing on seaweed's functional, sensory, and nutritional properties in food products. 

Tine Carmeliet | Senior Associate | A&O Shearman

Tine is an experienced lawyer at A&O Shearman passionate about life sciences. She specializes in life sciences patents litigation and advises clients on regulatory issues and commercial transactions in the life science sector. She works both with multinational companies as well as start-ups and research institutes in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical devices sectors on a variety of complex matters, including clinical trials, product approvals, regulatory incentives, market access, promotion and advertising, MDR and IVDR, digital health solutions, artificial intelligence, real world data and transparency regulations. She regularly assists clients with drafting and negotiating high value IP licenses, R&D collaborations, tech transfer and spin-out deals and have particular expertise with cell and gene therapy products. She has been selected several times by leading organizations as a leading practitioner, including by WIPR (most influential women in IP), LMG Life Sciences EMEA (regulatory rising star), Euromoney plc (rising star - leading practitioner) and Managing IP. She is an active speaker and writer on IP and life sciences topics and brings her comprehensive training in law, economics and political science as well as experience in the private and public sector to fruition in a legal and policy-making setting. Gender equality and diversity are close to Tine's heart. She is a proud member of ChIPs, a non profit organization advancing and connecting women in technology, law and policy; and a driving force in A&O Shearman's Women in IP and Diversity & Inclusion working groups.

Patrick Tjok Joe | Senior Business Development Manager | Akkodis

Patrick Tjok Joe, PhD, is a Senior Business Development Manager Life Sciences at Akkodis, a global tech company spanning across 30 countries and +50,000 science experts, where he works together with researchers, startups and global healthcare companies in providing them with innovative solutions & expertise for their (pre)clinical drug development, manufacturing, regulatory & commercialization strategy, talent needs, as well as funding opportunities. 

Before joining Akkodis, he worked at an international investment bank specialized in cross-border venture capital and strategic partnerships between biotech and pharma, where he brokered multiple investment, licensing and acquisition deals. Currently, he is also an Angel Investor in the regenerative materials startup Tocco, which is enhancing access towards sustainable biomaterials.

Patrick graduated as a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Brussels (VUB) in 2019, where he was involved in the € 7million iHivarna project, an EU-funded public-private partnership focused on innovative vaccines. During his PhD, he studied a Masters in Management at the Solvay Business School of Brussels. 

Prashant Kadam | Postdoctoral Research Scientist | Vrije Universiteit Brussel

I am a research veterinarian passionate about communication. My research focuses on cellular communication for improving human and animal health. I invest my free time in refining my leadership and interpersonal communication skills. With over ten years dedicated to preclinical research, I've discovered my passion: improving healthcare. As a researcher and FELASA-accredited veterinarian, I'm committed to the 3Rs: replacement, reduction, and refinement. I'm proficient in biomedical sciences, lab animal science, and project management. I've authored 22 peer-reviewed research articles and built global collaborations to foster innovation. Rooted in compassion, confidence, and courage, I believe in the power of mentoring to nurture future potential leaders. Let's connect if you're passionate about biomedical research, lab animal science, project management, or mentorship.