Think FASTT

BenchSci

If you're founding, managing, or contributing to a fast-growing startup, Think FASTT—Focused, Advancement, Speed, Tenacity, and Transparency. These are the core values at BenchSci, where we're using machine learning to help scientists run more successful experiments and bring novel medicine to patients faster. This podcast explores our values through interviews with people at BenchSci who embody them, and other expert guests. We hope that this will help our colleagues and others working in fast-growing startups achieve greater success and a more meaningful impact on the world. PS: If these values resonate, maybe you'd be a good fit at BenchSci. Learn more about us and our culture at www.benchsci.com. read less
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James Malone, Senior Director of Engineering, Data, and Machine Learning, on Bioinformatics' Past and Future
08-12-2021
James Malone, Senior Director of Engineering, Data, and Machine Learning, on Bioinformatics' Past and Future
In this episode of the Think FASTT podcast, we speak with James Malone, BenchSci’s Senior Director of Engineering, Data, and Machine Learning. Topics include:Malone’s deep experience in bioinformatics, ontologies, and machine learningBig challenges in life sciences driving continued investment in computationExperimenting with new technologies and ensuring data quality within the healthcare spaceAlgorithmic transparency, and when it’s worth the tradeoff to not have itHow COVID research has benefited from advances in bioinformatics and data gatheringYou can learn more about Malone on his LinkedIn profile.To learn more about BenchSci, its culture, and open roles, check out careers.benchsci.com. PS: We're now actively recruiting in the UK!

Episodes

James Malone, Senior Director of Engineering, Data, and Machine Learning, on Bioinformatics' Past and Future
08-12-2021
James Malone, Senior Director of Engineering, Data, and Machine Learning, on Bioinformatics' Past and Future
In this episode of the Think FASTT podcast, we speak with James Malone, BenchSci’s Senior Director of Engineering, Data, and Machine Learning. Topics include:Malone’s deep experience in bioinformatics, ontologies, and machine learningBig challenges in life sciences driving continued investment in computationExperimenting with new technologies and ensuring data quality within the healthcare spaceAlgorithmic transparency, and when it’s worth the tradeoff to not have itHow COVID research has benefited from advances in bioinformatics and data gatheringYou can learn more about Malone on his LinkedIn profile.To learn more about BenchSci, its culture, and open roles, check out careers.benchsci.com. PS: We're now actively recruiting in the UK!
From India to the Yukon: Remote-first Experiences at BenchSci
15-11-2021
From India to the Yukon: Remote-first Experiences at BenchSci
BenchSci is now a remote-first company. In this episode of the Think FASTT podcast, four BenchSci team members talk about their remote experiences:Senior Data Engineer Jasmine Alkin moved to a cottage in the wilderness, writing code while deep in naturePrincipal UX Designer Matan Berson became somewhat nomadic, working while traveling through Canada and beyondSenior Scientific Liaison Stef Lucarelli moved across the country, switching locations and time zones without missing a beatSenior Data Partnership Manager Pratiek Matkar traveled to India to organize and then have his wedding, surrounded by familyLike what you heard? Be sure to learn more about BenchSci at www.benchsci.com, and about our culture at careers.benchsci.com.
Brad Suisham, Experience Designer and Working Traveller, on Mastering the Remote-first Lifestyle
13-10-2021
Brad Suisham, Experience Designer and Working Traveller, on Mastering the Remote-first Lifestyle
BenchSci is now a remote-first company. In this episode of the Think FASTT podcast, experience designer and working traveller Brad Suisham provides guidance on remote work based on living in more than 30 cities over five years. Topics include:Misconceptions about remote workThe importance of introspection and experimentation to designing your remote work lifestyleBecoming aware of what you give up without an office, and taking steps to consciously fill those gapsKey factors to keep in mind when considering which cities to work fromTips for maximizing success while combining work and travelEthical and environmental considerations of working travelCOVID, its impact on remote work, and guidelines for restarting travelYou can learn more about Suisham on his LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/brad-suisham-a06a796/.Like what you heard? Be sure to learn more about BenchSci at www.benchsci.com, and about our culture at careers.benchsci.com.
Casandra Mangroo, SVP of Product & Science, on a Career at the Intersection of Biology and AI
14-09-2021
Casandra Mangroo, SVP of Product & Science, on a Career at the Intersection of Biology and AI
In this episode of the Think FASTT podcast, BenchSci SVP of Product & Science Casandra Mangroo talks about her career path and approach to product leadership on technology involving both biomedicine and machine learning. Topics include:How she got interested in science, and the life event that stopped her becoming a doctorLack of female role models in STEM and her passion to fix thisWhy networking is critical and how it helped her land a job at BenchSciHow she learned to stop always saying yes—and what to do insteadPrioritizing, breaking through barriers, and having tough conversations to drive product successThe importance of radical candor and being direct and honestExploring options and experimenting to advance your careerYou can learn more about Mangroo on her LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/casandra-mangroo-57573539/.Like what you heard? Be sure to learn more about BenchSci at www.benchsci.com, and about our culture at careers.benchsci.com.
Vanessa Ribreau, Chief People Officer, on Human Resources in Hypergrowth
18-08-2021
Vanessa Ribreau, Chief People Officer, on Human Resources in Hypergrowth
In this episode of the Think FASTT podcast, BenchSci Chief People Officer Vanessa Ribreau talks about human resources with a perspective informed by more than a decade’s experience in fast-growing companies. Topics include:Why she’s so passionate about HRHow HR has evolved over the past decadeUnique HR challenges of hypergrowth companiesLong-term implications of the pandemic on the workplaceThe benefits of mindfulness and meditation for focusBest practices for work-related learningIncreasing hiring speed without sacrificing qualityFinding the right balance of transparency and privacyBuilding resilienceYou can learn more about Ribreau on her LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/vanessaribreau/.Like what you heard? Be sure to learn more about BenchSci at www.benchsci.com, and about our culture at careers.benchsci.com.
Eran Ben-Ari, Chief Platform Officer, on Product Management Best Practices
20-07-2021
Eran Ben-Ari, Chief Platform Officer, on Product Management Best Practices
In this episode of the Think FASTT podcast, BenchSci Chief Platform Officer Eran Ben-Ari provides insights into product management from his anthropology academic career and experience leading product development for some of the country's biggest technology success stories. Topics include:Why anthropology is extremely relevant to product managementKeeping product teams focused while capitalizing on unexpected opportunitiesThe importance of listening to customers as the foundation of product management successWhere the best ideas for new products and features come fromRest and rejuvenation as essential and underappreciated factors in long-term team effectivenessA simple technique to give product teams key context in five minutes per weekHow different levels of an organization should focus on different time horizonsYou can learn more about Ben-Ari on his LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/eran-ben-ari/.Like what you heard? Be sure to learn more about BenchSci at www.benchsci.com, and about our culture at careers.benchsci.com.
Leidy Klotz, Author of Subtract, on Our Bias to Add, the Value of Subtracting, and How to Do It More
15-06-2021
Leidy Klotz, Author of Subtract, on Our Bias to Add, the Value of Subtracting, and How to Do It More
In the third episode of the Think FASTT podcast, we dig deep into a topic important to our values of focus and advancement: subtraction. Leidy Klotz, author of Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less, talks about:Subtractive problem solving, including concrete examplesThe human bias to add and overlook opportunities to subtractHow frequent and widespread the bias is, including across culturesSome possible origins for our additive tendenciesWays to increase your use of subtractionYou can learn more about Leidy Klotz and Subtract at https://www.leidyklotz.com.Like what you heard? Be sure to learn more about BenchSci at www.benchsci.com, and about our culture at www.benchsci.com/careers.
Kari Sulenes, Leadership Director, on Leadership Traits, Myths, Development, and More
19-05-2021
Kari Sulenes, Leadership Director, on Leadership Traits, Myths, Development, and More
In the second episode of the Think FASTT podcast, BenchSci Independent Director of Leadership Kari Sulenes talks about:Her home in the mountains (and why she moved there)Three levels of leadershipThe importance of self-awareness to leading peopleUnexpected examples of great leadersDamaging myths about leadershipSelf-organizing companies, and whether they can workAnd more!Like what you heard? Be sure to learn more about BenchSci at www.benchsci.com, and about our culture at www.benchsci.com/careers.
Liran Belenzon, CEO of BenchSci, on Hypergrowth Startup Culture and Values
13-04-2021
Liran Belenzon, CEO of BenchSci, on Hypergrowth Startup Culture and Values
In the inaugural episode of the Think FASTT podcast, BenchSci CEO Liran Belenzon talks about:Entrepreneurship nature versus nurtureFinding domains you can dominateThe importance of dedicated business-oriented cofoundersThe essential role of culture in scaling startupsThe importance of BenchSci's FASTT values ("Focused Advancement with Speed, Tenacity, and Transparency") to its successAnd more!Like what you heard? Be sure to learn more about BenchSci at www.benchsci.com, and about our culture at www.benchsci.com/careers.