By the ASPIRE Program Team
This April, a group of Vanderbilt biomedical graduate students and postdocs packed their bags and headed west for the 2025 edition of ASPIRE on the Road, landing in sunny San Diego, California.
Over three packed days, trainees under the guidance of Biomedical Research Education and Training staff members Ashley Brady and Mary Gray Lindstrom explored the vibrant biotech and pharmaceutical ecosystem of Southern California, connecting with alums, industry leaders, and innovative companies that are shaping the future of science. Brady is the assistant dean of biomedical career engagement and strategic partnerships, and Lindstrom is a program manager in the Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program.
“ASPIRE on the Road is a high-value program in our Office of Career Development,” said Walter Chazin, senior associate dean of BRET. “By taking trainees to biotech hubs, they obtain an in-depth understanding of the organization and inner workings of companies of all sizes. The trip introduces trainees to the multitude of career opportunities available in industry and the range of different cultures present, and gives them a chance to meet with Ph.D.’s in roles ranging from scientific staff to leadership. Each attendee also begins to build a network with the companies they have visited and connects with our alums in the area. This event provides a truly transformative experience for our trainees.”
Day 1: From Nashville to Neurelis
The journey began with a flight from Nashville to San Diego. Once on site, the trainees kicked off their professional immersion at Lilly Gateway Labs, where Kathleen Lin, senior director and site head, welcomed them with insights into how Lilly supports Biotech start-ups through their innovative accelerator model.
Next, the group headed to Neurelis, a clinical stage company where Vanderbilt alumnus Richard Gustin, PhD’10, senior director of innovation and strategic initiatives, and colleagues offered a deep dive into the company’s journey and its flagship product, VALTOCO.
“When setting the agenda for the visit, we wanted to ensure that the trainees would gain an appreciation for the scope of opportunities that exist for biomedical Ph.D.’s within the pharmaceutical industry and the value that they can bring, cross-functionally, at a biotech or pharmaceutical company,” Gustin said.
“It was so inspiring to see a company that puts helping patients front-and-center in their company culture, and it really motivated me to get more involved in the communities for my disease of interest here in Nashville,” said Margaret “Maggie” Fye, a Ph.D. candidate in cell and developmental biology who attended the trip.
A standout moment at Neurelis was the career panel, featuring leaders from clinical development, corporate strategy, and human resources, who shared candid advice on navigating careers in industry. “It gave me a great example of what kind of company I’d like to work at and what to look for in a potential workplace. Their commitment to the patient really shows and makes me glad that there are places like that where I can work in the future,” Fye said.
“The team at Neurelis really enjoyed spending time with the Vanderbilt group,” Gustin said. “They were impressed with the breadth and depth of research being conducted by the trainees and the level of engagement they had throughout their visit.”
The day wrapped with a thoughtful discussion on the cross-functional nature of biotech work and the real-world impact on patients.
Day 2: From molecules to market
Tuesday began with breakfast and a short ride to Eli Lilly’s San Diego site. Lina Aboulmouna, BE ’11, research scientist at the Medicines Innovation Hub, hosted a session on the company’s research pipeline and career opportunities.
The group then visited Biocom California, where Miguel Motta, vice president of strategic operations and San Diego head, provided an overview of the region’s biotech landscape and Biocom’s role in supporting innovation.
The afternoon was spent at Radionetics Oncology, where trainees toured labs, met with scientists across disciplines, and participated in breakout sessions with small teams. The visit offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at how early-stage oncology research is translated into clinical strategies.
The day concluded with a BRET Alumni Happy Hour at Viewpoint Brewing Company in Del Mar, where current trainees mingled with Vanderbilt alums now thriving in San Diego’s life sciences sector. “The excitement and warmth of the alums at the happy hour were contagious!” said Chiamaka Okoye, a graduate student in the Microbe-Host Interactions graduate program. “Their passion for sharing their journeys—raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal—created an atmosphere of openness and connection that left a lasting impression on me.”
“I was blown away by how helpful and engaged the Vanderbilt alumni community was. It was encouraging to see how the skills that they developed at Vanderbilt, both on and off the bench, are now being applied to their jobs in a diverse range of positions,” Anna Schwarzkopf, a Ph.D. student in cell and developmental biology, said. “Connecting with them helped me to feel more confident that I have the skills I need to be successful in a career in industry [research and development].”
Day 3: Wrapping up with Neurocrine Sciences
Wednesday morning brought a visit to Biolabs, a shared lab space supporting biotech startups. Abu Jalloh, site head, shared how Biolabs fosters innovation through flexible lab infrastructure and community support and brought in members of two of the resident start-ups to share their career stories and answer questions.
The final stop of the trip was Neurocrine Biosciences, where trainees toured the new and expansive campus and met with various scientists, including Elijah Trefts, PhD’19, and Ana Sias. The visit highlighted Neurocrine’s focus on neurological and endocrine disorders and offered a glimpse into the company’s collaborative culture.
After a whirlwind three days, the group flew back to Nashville, energized by new connections, fresh perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the diverse career paths available in the life sciences.
“This trip was truly one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had so far in grad school. I got to hear from people with different job titles at various sized companies and about what impacts the field. I came away from this trip very confident that I could develop and refine the skills I learned to be valuable on our visits and leverage the network I made from this trip when I start applying for jobs soon,” said Jaybree Lopez, a graduate student in the neuroscience program. “Ashley and Mary Gray were such great leaders and people to interact with. I couldn’t recommend this program/trip more!”