Dr. Niklas Hegemann | From Charité Berlin to the Pharmaceutical Industry

Dr. Rhea Machado | From Technische Universität Berlin to scientist-entrepreneur

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Rhea Machado, a chemical engineer who transitioned into a scientist-entrepreneur, transforming academic research into a startup tackling some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.  As a co-founder of Porelio, Rhea is developing advanced materials to remove persistent pollutants—so-called “forever chemicals”—from water, contributing to a more sustainable and carbon-neutral future. Rhea shares candid insights into what it means to step into entrepreneurship without a safety net—and why, in her case, not having a Plan B became a powerful motivator rather than a risk. She reflects on navigating motherhood alongside building a company, and why strong support systems—both at home and professionally—are not optional, but essential. Importantly, she highlights the role of institutional support in enabling this transition. Mentorship and early-stage programs at TU Berlin, particularly the StarTUps initiative, played a key role in helping her move from research to real-world application. Beyond strategy and structure, this episode captures something often overlooked: the genuine joy of building something meaningful with a team. Rhea speaks about the energy that comes from working toward shared goals, and the sense of purpose that can emerge when scientific expertise meets entrepreneurial drive. The interview was conducted by Dr. Christina Ayazi from ZEWK at TU Berlin.

Dr. Niklas Hegemann | From Charité Berlin to the Pharmaceutical Industry

Our guest today is Dr. Niklas Hegemann, Medical Affairs Trainee at a leading global pharmaceutical company. Niklas's career path is anything but straightforward. He began with business administration - a choice shaped in part by family expectations - before a six-month internship at a major pharmaceutical firm sparked a lasting passion for medical science. This led him back into academia to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science at Marburg and a Master's degree in Genes, Drugs & Stem Cells – Novel Therapies at Imperial College London, followed by a doctoral thesis in experimental cardiology at Charité. In this episode, Niklas talks about how he leverages his academic training in data analysis, scientific literature review, and multidisciplinary collaboration in his current role in Medical Affairs. He reflects candidly on the setbacks he faced when first trying to move into industry, the role of mentorship and humility in finally making the transition, and what it takes to adapt to a corporate environment after years in academia. He also shares how he has maintained his ties to the cardiovascular research community as a visiting scientist and why he sees hybrid career paths as a real opportunity for scientists today. The interview was conducted by Dr. Christina Ayazi from ZEWK at TU Berlin.