Join us for this session of Postdoc Success Talks (Pst!) featuring Nicole Davis from Ultragenyx, Srijan Ranjitkar from Anvia Therapeutics, and Sovanda Som Kaing from Takeda. They will share their professional journeys, discuss the wide range of roles in biotech, and offer insights into how postdocs can transition into this impactful and continuously evolving industry.
Careers in Biotech
Pst! Listen!
Postdoc Success Talks is a professional development series designed to amplify the career readiness and personal growth of postdocs (and PhDs) at the University of Kentucky. Each session spotlights practical insights and diverse career pathways—from industry to entrepreneurship, science policy, and beyond. Whether you're exploring teaching opportunities, navigating professional etiquette, or learning about fellowships and consulting, Postdoc Success Talks is your invitation to listen, learn, and launch your next step.
⬇️ Registration below ⬇️
Careers in Biotech Curious about careers that are at the fringe of innovation?
Nicole Davis
Nicole Davis, PhD, is the Associate Director of Clinical Biomarkers based in Brisbane, CA. She earned her PhD from Case Western Reserve University and completed her postdoctoral training at UCSF, where she deepened her expertise in translational science and biomarker development. Nicole has held key roles in diagnostic development at Veracyte and NanoString, contributing to innovative platforms that bridge molecular insights with clinical decision-making. At Ultragenyx, she leads biomarker strategies to support clinical development where her work continues to drive precision medicine forward through thoughtful integration of science and strategy.
Sovanda Som Kaing
Sovanda Som Kaing, M.S., is the Head of Pharmaceutical Sciences R&D Data Digital and Technology based in Cambridge, MA. She earned an M.S. in Bioinformatics from Northeastern University, during which she co founded a translational lab at The Forsyth Institute focused on microbiomes and photodynamic therapy. Choosing industry over a PhD, she joined Novartis, where she honed her ability to build digital solutions at an enterprise level—translating complex scientific needs into scalable technical solutions—and broadened her expertise across the drug development lifecycle. She has since led teams and digital strategy at small biotechs, including LifeMine Therapeutics and Ultragenyx, and at major pharmas such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda, and Merck—moving from discovery into development and manufacturing and progressively expanding her leadership and impact across the R&D value chain. Today, Sovanda leads a high performing team at Takeda to build scalable, AI ready data foundations—drawing on a career long passion and proven excellence at the intersection of science and technology—to drive innovation across R&D.
Srijan Ranjitkar
Srijan Ranjitkar, M.S., is a Senior Scientist in Lead Discovery at Anvia Therapeutics in New York City. He earned his M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Northeastern University and brings more than two decades of impactful contributions across drug discovery. Throughout his career, he has delivered significant accomplishments at leading biotech and pharmaceutical organizations—including the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Kymera Therapeutics, and Epizyme—where he advanced early discovery efforts through innovative biochemical and biophysical approaches. Driven by deep scientific curiosity and a strong ability to translate complex research questions into actionable insights, he has played a central role in progressing small-molecule programs, mentoring scientists, and contributing to cross-functional initiatives spanning infectious disease, oncology, and targeted protein degradation.
Registration
Registration is required and you can attend in person (bring your own lunch - refreshments provided) OR you can attend online (via Zoom).
Registration closes on December 9, 2025 at midnight.