GBR Spotlight – Ryan

GBR Spotlight is a series where we highlight some of our team members so you (and we) can get to know them a little better. Today is the second time we interview a ‘Ryan’, except a different one from last time! He is part of the Entrepreneurship team and today he will tell us about his role within GBR and why he doesn’t like coffee. 

Hi Ryan! Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with us today. To start off could you please describe Yourself in a few sentences?

I am a soon-to-graduate PhD student in the Neuroscience program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore studying how genetic risk factors associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s contribute to functional mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and progression.

I am first and foremost a scientist, but also care deeply about how we move from bench side research to implementation of our findings from both commercial and regulatory perspectives.

Why did you choose to study neurodegenerative diseases?

I actually started undergrad interested more in evolutionary neuroscience, but kept working my way closer and closer to human models. When I started my postbac*, I joined a team working on stem cell-derived models of Parkinson’s Disease, and for the first time realized just how common and untreatable neurodegenerative diseases are. That combination of scientific challenge and social urgence was where things finally “clicked” for me, and I felt like I had an area I could spend my whole career on.

*Editorial note: a US specific program that begins after an undergraduate degree & is designed to support the transition towards PhD studies, in this case specifically a full-time research fellowship

Where do you see yourself in the near and more distant future?

In the short term, I’m just about to graduate from my PhD and am looking for postdoc positions right now! Longer-term – in some sort of role where I can lead a team to better understand the underlying biology of neurodegenerative disease, which I think is really critical for developing better diagnostics and therapies. Ideally, I see this as becoming an academic PI and running my own lab – but I could also see myself in roles at a research-centric biotech company or startup with a strong neurology focus.

All the best for your upcoming PhD defence then! Let’s move onto GBR. What is your role within the organization?

I’m one of our Entrepreneurship Directors, and cover the US & Canada for our Entrepreneurship team. My role involves recruiting sponsor and speakers for our flagship events, and developing new programs for GBR to offer.

How did you get involved with GBR?

Originally, I heard about GBR from some former classmates and was selected as a Leader of Tomorrow for GapSummit 2022. I also participated as a 2023 Global Ambassador and was a participant in the 2024 Voices of Tomorrow program, before jumping over to help bring these programs to future participants.

Can you describe a task/project you really loved working on?

Since I’m relatively new to the team, none of my projects are public yet! I’m currently working on one of our flagship events & pitching some new programming internally – hopefully everyone will get to see them soon.

Well, we will definitely be excited to see what it is! What do you like most about working for GBR and where do you see its benefit?

Getting a chance to help produce world-class training & networking opportunities to inspire trainees in both academic and industry biotechnology. We work in a field that can feel really tough at times – hard scientific problems, funding setbacks, and high risk in developing new products – so I think GBR’s ability to provide a sense of community and optimism that is an amazing strength of our organization.

We bringing together a global cohort of students and biotech professionals, across disciplines and job functions, who are all early in their careers and passionate about advancing the field together and GBR’s events and speakers are an excellent educational resource to learn more about how the entire biotech ecosystem functions.

Let’s move on to some more personal questions: What is the last dream you remember?

I’m the sort of person who rarely remembers dreams! The most recent one definitely reflects my current situation as a soon-to-graduate PhD student – I was fishing and stressing about my job search at the same time!

Very relatable! And when you don’t stress about job search, what are your hobbies outside of work and GBR?

• Cooking – I set myself a challenge earlier this year to cook a dish from every country in the world, and I’m about 50 countries in so far
• Outdoor sports – hiking, kayaking, skiing, and rock climbing especially
• Travel
• Hosting board game nights!

Tell me a fun fact about you!

I used to have a part-time job as a hiking guide!

What is the last book you read and would you recommend it?

Jade War, by Fonda Lee. It’s the second book in the series, so start with Jade City, but I would highly recommend it! They’re part of a trilogy of fantasy novels inspired by The Godfather and classic Hong Kong action movies.

Who is your favourite person in GBR to work with?

That would be the “Other Ryan” – Ryan de Sotto, our Head of Entrepreneurship. Every time I run an idea for a new initiative past him, he immediately wants to see how we can make it happen!

What is your favourite and what is your least favourite food?

My favourite would be any sort of spicy soup/sauce with noodles! A pasta arrabbiata, khao soi gai, dapanji – that sort of thing. And my least favourite – hot take, but coffee. I actually get sick when I try it, and it’s always hard to convince someone that even tiramisu isn’t something I can really have!

I actually completely agree with you on the coffee! Lastly, which three items would you take with you on a lonely island?

Assuming I’m there for vacation – a pair of hiking boots, a good book, and a kayak.

Ryan, thank you very much for talking with us today and all the best for the final stretch of your PhD!