Industry Postdocs: Launching Careers in Biopharma
Monday, June 1st, 2026; 5:30 – 6:30 PM CST
(Virtual)
Industry postdoctoral programs provide an opportunity to continue research while gaining experience in an applied, collaborative environment. Join us for a panel discussion with scientists who have pursued postdoctoral training in industry settings such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and technology companies. Panelists will discuss how industry postdocs differ from academic positions, what skills are valued in these programs, and how these experiences can serve as a pathway to long-term careers in industry research.
Himasha Perera, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist at Novartis
Dr. Himasha Perera is a Principal Scientist in Oncology Translational Research at Novartis, where she leads multiple initiatives in the translational immuno-oncology space, including designing the clinical biomarker strategy for programs in hematologic malignancies. Prior to this, she completed an Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship at Novartis in Oncology Drug Discovery and Biologics research, supporting pipeline projects. She holds a PhD from Baylor University in Texas, where she developed a strong foundation in DNA replication and repair pathways.
Kyra Laubach, PhD
Medical Science Liaison at Hologic
Dr. Kyra Laubach received her PhD in Integrative Pathobiology from the University of California, Davis, and her B.S. in Biology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Her PhD work was centered in cancer biology and leveraging multi-omic approaches to study the intersection of oncogenesis and metabolism. Before her current role, Kyra completed her postdoctoral training at AbbVie in South San Francisco, where she was part of both Computational Oncology and Immuno-Oncology within discovery sciences.
