Careers in Discovery

We're bringing you something a little bit different this week... After 6 years and almost 200 episodes of Careers in Discovery, Singular CEO Tom Froggatt is passing the torch to a new host - and we're delighted to introduce Tyler Olding. In this episode, the tables have turned, and the transition begins with - for the first time - an interview with Tom himself. Listen in to learn more about the brilliant career that has been behind Careers in Discovery, and the exciting times ahead for Tom. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To download your free eBook, click the link here: The Global Hiring Blueprint [https://book.singular-biotech.com/the-global-hiring-blueprint]

From the moment he walked out of a cinema showing Jurassic Park aged 10, Samir Ounzain knew he wanted to work with DNA. That early obsession turned into a career dedicated to understanding the 98% of our genome that doesn’t code for proteins - what’s often referred to as the “dark genome.” In this episode, Samir shares the personal and scientific journey that led to founding HAYA Therapeutics, a Biotech trailblazing an entirely new approach to treating common and chronic diseases. He explains how HAYA builds backwards from unmet patient needs, and forwards with a first-principles view of biology - putting the cell, not the target, at the centre of drug discovery. This is a story about biology, yes - but it’s also about clarity, courage, and commitment to a new model of Biotech.

When it comes to brain health, few people have dedicated more of their career to pushing the field forward than Rafal Kaminski, Chief Scientific Officer at Angelini Pharma. In this episode of Careers in Discovery, Rafal shares the journey that’s taken him from medical school in Poland to leading R&D efforts across UCB, Roche, and now Angelini. Along the way, we explore his deep commitment to neuroscience, the lessons of building research teams across academia, biotech, and pharma, and the transformation taking place at Angelini - from a 100-year-old company into a focused innovator in brain health. We dive into why Angelini is investing in both cutting-edge science and public awareness, how Rafal made the leap from academia to industry, and what he looks for in people when building high-performing teams. He also reflects on the value of ambition, cultural perspective, and scientific humility when navigating a career in life sciences.

This week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Martin Brenner, CEO and CSO of iBio and one of Biotech’s most experienced R&D leaders. Martin shares his journey from pharmacologist to global R&D executive, with leadership roles at Pfenex, Recursion, AstraZeneca, and Stoke Therapeutics. Now at iBio, he leads a company developing gene therapies for rare diseases - while applying lessons from decades of drug development to a new generation of science. We talk about the power of simplicity in communication, why leaders need to create space for science to breathe, and how to build R&D teams that are lean, smart, and focused on what matters most.

This week on Careers in Discovery, we’re joined by Erica Barnell, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of Geneoscopy. Erica shares how Geneoscopy is transforming gastrointestinal health with a platform that uses RNA biomarkers from stool samples to diagnose, monitor, and help prevent colorectal cancer and other GI diseases. She talks about the inspiration behind the company, building a patient-friendly alternative to colonoscopy, and why early detection is key to changing outcomes in colorectal cancer. We also dive into Erica’s journey from MD-PhD student to entrepreneur, the challenges of shifting from product development to commercialization, and how she navigates the balance of leadership, family, and growth in a dynamic start-up environment.