The Life Sciences Leadership Show – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Life Sciences Leadership Show, host Michael Piperno sits down with Marianne Gill, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Infusion Solutions at BD. With nearly four decades at the company, Marianne brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to the conversation, reflecting on her journey from critical care nurse to executive leader.

Marianne’s path is a testament to the power of adaptability, empathy, and communication in leadership. Her story spans multiple mergers and acquisitions, cultural transformations, and the challenge of leading technical experts without being the subject matter expert herself. Through it all, she’s remained committed to building teams that thrive on trust, psychological safety, and shared purpose.

Michael and Marianne explore what it really takes to inspire excellence in life sciences organizations. They discuss how servant leadership and clear, intentional communication can unify diverse teams and drive meaningful impact—especially in complex, fast-evolving environments.

You’ll hear their candid conversation about:

• How to lead with empathy and build trust across functions
• Why psychological safety is foundational to team performance
• Lessons from serving as a “culture trainer” during major organizational change
• Strategies for leading experts when you’re not the technical authority
• The role of storytelling and clarity in cross-functional communication

Whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role or guiding large teams through transformation, this episode offers practical insights for cultivating resilience, cohesion, and high performance.

In this episode of The Life Sciences Leadership Show, host Michael Piperno sits down with Lauren Stevenson, Chief Scientific Officer & Co-founder and Head of Translational Sciences at Immunologix Laboratories.

Lauren shares her unique leadership journey—from her early days at the bench in academic labs to leading teams in the fast-moving world of biotech. Her path to the CSO role wasn’t linear, and that’s exactly what makes her story so compelling. Along the way, she’s learned that leadership isn’t just about results—it’s about how you communicate, how you grow, and how you bring others along with you.

Michael and Lauren dive into the critical role of communication in scientific leadership. They explore why data alone isn’t enough, and how audience-centric storytelling can elevate your message and your impact. Lauren reflects on her early skepticism about “soft skills” and how embracing management training helped her see leadership in a new light.

You’ll hear their candid conversation about:

• Why self-awareness is a leadership superpower
• How strengths-based leadership builds more resilient teams
• The importance of advocating for your team’s work—not just letting results speak for themselves
• Lessons learned from navigating the transition from scientist to executive
• How to ensure your message resonates with both scientific and non-scientific audiences

Whether you’re just starting your career or stepping into a senior leadership role, this episode is packed with real-world insights on growth, communication, and leading with intention in the life sciences.

The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of their employers.

In the next episode of The Life Sciences Leadership Show, host Michael Piperno is joined by Nathan Teuscher, President of Aplos Analytics and a globally recognized expert in pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacology, and drug development.

Nathan and Michael dive deep into the art and science of communicating complex scientific concepts—whether it's in high-stakes regulatory meetings, cross-disciplinary teams, or the often challenging spaces where science and business intersect.

You'll hear their candid conversation about:

- Translating technical data into clear, actionable insights for any audience

- The importance of tailoring your message and being audience-centric

- Using analogies, storytelling, and plain language to bring science to life

- Building trust and psychological safety in teams for better communication and innovation

- Lessons learned from real-world experiences in communicating science

Whether you're an established c-suite executive or an aspiring leader in the life sciences, this episode delivers valuable takeaways on how thoughtful communication can make or break your impact in the industry.

Welcome to another episode of The Life Sciences Leadership Show. In this insightful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Fernanda Arnaldez, Executive Director of Oncology R&D at AstraZeneca, to discuss her inspiring leadership journey from her early days as a pediatric resident, to leading teams in life sciences. 

Fernanda shares candid stories of growth—how she found her voice, learned to confidently take her seat at the table in the corporate world, and developed empathy as her superpower as a leader.

Together, we delve into the importance of intentionality in leadership, the balancing act between empathy and accountability, and the challenges and rewards of creating safe, inclusive environments where healthy debate and differing perspectives drive innovation. Fernanda also offers valuable advice for women and early-career professionals seeking to find their voice and advocate for themselves in the workplace.

Tune in for practical tips, honest reflections on leadership struggles, and memorable stories that will inspire you to embrace your own unique brand of leadership in the life sciences.

The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of their employers.

Intro Music by Swoop | ⁠https://uppbeat.io/browse/artist/swoop⁠

 Welcome to this episode of "The Life Sciences Leadership Show" where our host, Michael Piperno, sits down with David Esposito, CEO of ONL Therapeutics.

Join us for an insightful discussion about leadership in the life sciences industry, as David shares his 30-year journey from an infantry officer in the army to leading early and mid-stage biotech companies. Explore the intricacies of leadership communication, the importance of aligning stakeholders, and the unique challenges faced in the fast-paced world of early and mid-stage biotech.

Plus, hear David's valuable advice for life sciences leaders and insights into making the transition from big pharma to early-stage companies. 

Intro Music by Swoop | https://uppbeat.io/browse/artist/swoop