From Lab Bench to Launchpad with Dr. Carmen Banks
Replay Published: September 22, 2025
Startups move fast — and for scientists, they can be powerful accelerators for both innovation and careers. In this lightning talk, Dr. Carmen Banks, Ph.D. shares how working in biotech startups provides a launch pad for innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking beyond the lab bench. Drawing from her own journey, she highlights the unique opportunities startups offer — from taking on cross-functional roles to gaining direct exposure to fundraising, strategy, and product development.
This replay is from the live AdaMarie Career Navigation Summit, held on September 18, 2025.
Excerpt from the Replay
Dr. Carmen Banks (MelanInScience):
“Like many of you, when I finished my degree, I thought there were only two options: academia or big pharma. But I realized neither really captured what I wanted. To my surprise, there was a third option: biotech startups.
At my first startup, I was literally helping to create an entirely new area of science. The impact I could have as an individual was limitless—not only running experiments, but learning strategy, leading projects, and connecting science to real-world impact.”
Lightning Talk Highlights
Here are a few of the powerful takeaways Dr. Carmen shared:
“I found that I could use my expertise from the subject area that I was building, and then apply some of those skills and that type of thinking to a brand new subject area.”
“You will get the opportunity, no matter what level you’re in, to take leadership and ownership of the science—whether it is through managing interns or research associates, or pursuing a side project sparked by curiosity.”
“The brand you’ll build in startups will be one of adaptability and impact. And in my opinion, that’s what will make you stand out, and become marketable for other functions.”
Want to hear the full talk?
Replay the entire session inside the AdaMarie Professional Network, along with every lightning talk and panel from the 2025 AdaMarie Career Navigation Summit.
