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Explore Career Pathways in the Microbial Sciences

There are many career options available for individuals with a degree in microbiology—from industry to consulting to working in non-profits. Do you know what career options are available to you?  

"Career Pathways in ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥," is a 5-part webinar series that consists of virtual career panels, featuring diverse scientists in industry/biotechnology, climate change, bioeconomy and bioinformatics/data analysis. These sessions are for students, postdocs and anyone who is interested in learning about where a degree in microbiology can take you.
 
Join us for a series of live, 1.5-hour career panels, each with 3 expert panelists, covering topics such as career pathways in industry/biotechnology, climate change, bioeconomy and bioinformatics/data analysis. The career panel will explore the available roles, necessary experience and skills needed to enter the field, and where to look for job openings in the specific profession. The deadline to register for the series is Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Schedule

Wednesday, April 23, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Industry/Biotechnology

Speakers

Lauren Saunders, Ph.D.

Field Applications Manager, Ceres Nanosciences 
Saunders is a Ph.D. biochemist with experience in protein kinetics, natural products discovery and yeast genetics. She transitioned to industry after a postdoc with the USDA and has worked in research and development, marketing applications and field applications. Her current work focuses on sample preparation for genetic and proteomic analysis.

Nymisha Avadhanam, Ph.D., PMP

Scientist II, Diasorin Group
Avadhanam has her Ph.D. in molecular biology and 5 years of experience in the medical device industry in technical operations, assay deployment and product lifecycle management.

Irina Shilova, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist, Bayer Crop Science
Shilova is an environmental microbiologist. After her postdoctoral research at the Department of Ocean Sciences at UC Santa Cruz focused on understanding marine phytoplankton responses to environmental change, she worked at a biotech startup called Second Genome.

Wednesday, May 28, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Climate Change

Speakers

Allison Pieja, Ph.D. 

Co-founder and CTO, Mango Materials
Pieja received her Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from Stanford, with a focus on selection of microbes for the production of poly-hydroxyalkanoate from methane. At Mango Materials, she leads scale-up and process optimization of Mango Materials’ process to produce biopolymer from waste methane gas. 

Mallory Choudoir, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Soil Microbiome Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University
Choudoir earned her Ph.D. in microbiology from Cornell University. Choudoir's research interests include soil microbial ecology, microbial biogeography, agroecosystems and microbes and climate change. 

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways: Navigating a Career in Microbial Sciences

Speakers
Speakers coming soon. 

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Bioeconomy

Speakers
Speakers coming soon. 

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2-3:30 p.m. ET | Career Pathways in Bioinformatics & Data Analysis

Speakers
Speakers coming soon. 

Learning Goals

  • Explore the variety of careers in the microbial sciences other than tenure-track faculty careers.
  • Learn key skills and experiences needed to enter the profession.
  • Connect with mentors in different microbial science careers.
  • Understand how to identify which career paths are more suitable for an individual.
  • Learn high-level approaches to applying for a job in the microbial sciences.

Format:

  • Live, 1.5-hour career panels, each with 3 expert panelists, covering a broad range of topics and career pathways.
  • Each panelist will give a 15-minute presentation on their career path, followed by open Q&A from the audience for the remainder of the session.
  • Live attendees will receive a resource page on the top 3 communication, management and interpersonal skills needed for the job, where to look for jobs and top employers in the field.
  • Attendees will receive a link to each of the panelist’s 15-minute presentation.

Eligibility

You must be an ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ member to register for the webinar series. This series is for those who are interested in learning about career options available in microbiology for themselves or the students they teach. The primary intended audience is high school students, undergraduate students, master’s and doctoral graduate students, postbaccalaureate, postdocs and medical laboratory scientists.

Registration Details

You must be an ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ member to register for the webinar series. Join ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ today.

Deadline to Register is Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET.

Please note that you do not need to attend every session.

Contact Information

Shilpa Gadwal, sgadwal@asmusa.org