Packed House at BCHSI Career Panel

More than 55 attendees gathered this Tuesday, October 6, 2026 for the BCHSI Career Panel. Panelists Karthik S., PhD, (SAP) and Jacob Glanville, PhD, (Centivax) shared their experiences and perspectives in the fields of biomedicine and computation. Marina Sirota, PhD, & Angela Rizk-Jackson, PhD, (UCSF BCHSI) served as co-moderators for this thoughtful conversation! 

Some valuable takeaways: Soman spoke about the importance of understanding AI from both the practitioner and consumer perspectives -staying current with evolving frameworks while also understanding the strengths, limitations, and idiosyncrasies of different AI models. One message that especially resonated was the importance of keeping sight of the big picture throughout your career; looking back, separate experiences can connect and build on one another in a powerful “snowball effect.”

Glanville offered an important perspective on AI in science: biologists who also understand computation are in a particularly strong position. He emphasized creating systems where we can check the work, being mindful of hallucinations, and using AI to enhance our work without surrendering our own thought process and expertise. He also shared insights on the increasingly porous boundary between academia and industry and how publishing high-quality research can strengthen a company’s credibility, partnerships, and visibility.

Sirota highlighted an important consideration for researchers - think about intellectual property early. What you are discovering in the lab today may have potential for translation or even a company down the road, making resources such as UCSF Innovation Ventures important to keep in mind.

The panel concluded with a candid discussion about career setbacks. Glanville described building a “stack of credibility” over time reminding us that setbacks can ultimately become strengths if we keep moving forward.