SCPDG Announces our June 11, 2026, Meeting
About this Event
Jumping the Canyon: Transitioning from Academia to Industry
Presented by
Eric Samuels, Ph.D.
Sr. Research Scientist II
AbbVie, Irvine
Abstract: For many recent graduates and postdocs, the transition from academia to industry can feel overwhelming. What exactly does industry expect, and what can early-career scientists expect in return? How does an academic background translate to an industrial setting, and why do entry-level postings often seem to require prior industry experience? These are common questions, but they do not need to be barriers. This presentation will explore the path into a first industry role, from the challenges of applying and interviewing to understanding industrial workflows and the key differences between academic and industrial environments. Ultimately, the presentation will provide practical insights to help navigate the transition to industry, making the path feel more accessible and less intimidating.
Biography: Dr. Samuels received his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of California, Irvine, where, in the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Poulos, he rationally designed cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors as pharmacoenhancers. Following completion of his doctorate, Dr. Samuels joined the USC-Allergan postdoctoral fellowship in small molecule product development and was hired as a scientist shortly thereafter. He is currently a Senior Scientist II in the Analytical R&D group at AbbVie in Irvine. He has an extensive research background in both drug discovery and development and has authored several publications in analytical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, and structural biology. He has contributed to several preclinical and clinical programs across multiple disease areas, with a particular focus on sterile liquid programs, and currently serves as an analytical lead within CMC. He is passionate about student outreach, particularly life after the Ph.D., applied science, and the transition from academia to industry.
Presentation 2 (45 Min)
Transforming Clinical Development with AI: Protocol Digitization, CSR & CTD Automation, and GxP Reviews
Presented By
Mr. Srikanth Bogadapati
Head of Life Sciences
Ascendion
Abstract: Clinical research and drug development timelines continue to span many years due to the complexity of discovery, clinical trials, regulatory requirements, and operational inefficiencies. Emerging AI and Agentic AI capabilities are creating new opportunities to accelerate and optimize the end-to-end R&D lifecycle while maintaining regulatory rigor and human oversight.
AI can significantly enhance key areas across clinical development, including Clinical Development Plan (CDP) optimization, intelligent site selection, patient recruitment and matching, site risk scoring, Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) generation, automated document authoring, Health Authority Question (HAQ) response generation, protocol digitization, document intelligence, and GxP review automation.
In this session, we will showcase an end-to-end demonstration of how AI, combined with a “human-in-the-loop” operating model, can streamline and accelerate critical clinical and regulatory workflows. The presentation will highlight practical applications in protocol digitization, automated generation of regulatory and clinical documents (including CTDs and CSRs), and AI-driven GxP review processes designed to improve efficiency, compliance, quality, and speed-to-market.
Biography: Srikanth Bogadapati is the Head of Life Sciences at Ascendion, bringing over 26 years of experience across the life sciences and technology sectors. He has led AI and digital transformation initiatives spanning clinical, regulatory, commercial, manufacturing, and quality domains, with a strong focus on AI and Agentic AI–driven innovation.
Over the course of his career, Srikanth has collaborated with leading pharmaceutical and technology organizations, including Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Microsoft.
Srikanth holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and has earned professional certifications from MIT Professional Education, including programs in AI in Drug Discovery and Making Data-Driven Decisions with AI.
Ascendion is an Agentic AI transformation company recognized by Gartner for its Agentic AI platforms and accelerators.
Agenda: This is a hybrid event. On-Site check-in and Networking from 4:00-4:30PM PT. Zoom login will open at 4:15PM PT. Presentations and Discussion will be from 4:30-6:00PM PT. There is no charge for on-site or virtual attendance.
Registration: Please register by 5:00 PM PDT, Tuesday, June 9
Important Notes: You must register to receive an emailed Zoom link for virtual attendance. You will receive the Zoom link after registration closes. If you need assistance logging in or during the presentation, please text me at 714 606 5907.
Social Media Links:
Past Presentations and Calendar of Events are located on our web page at:
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Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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