Marissa Kuzirian's Journey from PhD to Investment Manager in Life Science Startups
Marissa Kuzirian transformed from a PhD candidate in Neuroscience to an Investment Manager at Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, providing support and capital to life science startups. Her career path showcases strategic decision-making, research skills, agile learning, fearless communication, and leadership development. Take inspiration to take control of your career and achieve your professional goals.
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PhD to investment manager: my path to providing support and capital to life science startups Marissa Kuzirian, PhD 15 Investment Manager Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse
Present day Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG) Non-profit investment group focused on life science startups Provides: Market research Business strategy Commercialization support Seed and early stage capital Investment Manager Member of the investment committee Due diligence on all investments Business support and commercialization strategy to startups in western PA Market research to understand trends in healthcare markets
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills-new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Leadership Management Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills-new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Leadership Management Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills-new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Leadership Management Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab 2011 Dropped my most productive project for strategic reasons August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills-new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Leadership Management Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab 2011 Dropped my most productive project for strategic reasons 2012 Discovered a mechanism relevant to epilepsy Learn about epilepsy Pilot 3 in vivo models August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills- new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Leadership Management Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab 2011 Dropped my most productive project for strategic reasons 2012 Discovered a mechanism relevant to epilepsy Learn about epilepsy Pilot 3 in vivo models 2014 Won SPROUT funding: buy equipment to scale in vivo work August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills- new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Leadership Management Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006: Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab 2011 Dropped my most productive project for strategic reasons 2012 Discovered a mechanism relevant to epilepsy Learn about epilepsy Pilot 3 in vivo models 2014 Won SPROUT funding: buy equipment to scale in vivo work 2015 Postdoc in neural circuits of pain All new field, many new techniques 3 papers, 2 grants in 1.5 years August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills- new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Management Leadership Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab 2011 Dropped my most productive project for strategic reasons 2012 Discovered a mechanism relevant to epilepsy Learn about epilepsy Pilot 3 in vivo models 2014 Won SPROUT funding: buy equipment to scale in vivo work 2015 Postdoc in neural circuits of pain All new field, many new techniques 3 papers, 2 grants in 1.5 years August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2015 New town Many networking events Leadership with Women In Bio 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills- new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Management Leadership Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab 2011 Dropped my most productive project for strategic reasons 2012 Discovered a mechanism relevant to epilepsy Learn about epilepsy Pilot 3 in vivo models 2014 Won SPROUT funding: buy equipment to scale in vivo work 2015 Postdoc in neural circuits of pain All new field, many new techniques 3 papers, 2 grants in 1.5 years 2015 Skills outside of Academia Consulting Business development August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2015 New town Many networking events Leadership with Women In Bio 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills- new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Management Leadership Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab 2011 Dropped my most productive project for strategic reasons 2012 Discovered a mechanism relevant to epilepsy Learn about epilepsy Pilot 3 in vivo models 2014 Won SPROUT funding: buy equipment to scale in vivo work 2015 Postdoc in neural circuits of pain All new field, many new techniques 3 papers, 2 grants in 1.5 years 2015 Skills outside of Academia Consulting Business development August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2016 Explored starting my own company 2015 New town Many networking events Leadership with Women In Bio 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills- new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Management Leadership Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab 2011 Dropped my most productive project for strategic reasons 2012 Discovered a mechanism relevant to epilepsy Learn about epilepsy Pilot 3 in vivo models 2014 Won SPROUT funding: buy equipment to scale in vivo work 2015 Postdoc in neural circuits of pain All new field, many new techniques 3 papers, 2 grants in 1.5 years 2015 Skills outside of Academia Consulting Business development August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2016 Explored starting my own company 2015 New town Many networking events Leadership with Women In Bio 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University 2017 Investment Manager PLSG Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills- new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Management Leadership Prioritization Take control of your career
My story Summer 2006 Course Assistant Neural Systems and Behavior Course Marine Biological Lab 2011 Dropped my most productive project for strategic reasons 2012 Discovered a mechanism relevant to epilepsy Learn about epilepsy Pilot 3 in vivo models 2014 Won SPROUT funding: buy equipment to scale in vivo work 2015 Postdoc in neural circuits of pain All new field, many new techniques 3 papers, 2 grants in 1.5 years 2015 Skills outside of Academia Consulting Business development August 2006-April 2008 Research Assistant MIT 2016 Explored starting my own company 2015 New town Many networking events Leadership with Women In Bio 2008-2015 PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Brandeis University 2017 Investment Manager PLSG Networking I m not happy in isolation Making strategic decisions to balance resources Research skills- new knowledge Agile- new skills Fearless Communication Management Leadership Prioritization Take control of your career
Advice Figure out what you love AND what you hate In a new job: identify which PhD skills work to your advantage AND disadvantage PRO: Quickly acquire new knowledge CON: Research too deeply Pay attention to your communication skills Practice speaking with people outside of academia from a variety of backgrounds Take control of your career, but don t obsess over the end goal
