In this episode, I sit down with two early-career researchers and open science advocates: Harini Lakshmi Narayanan, a postdoctoral researcher in cancer diagnostics at University Hospital Zurich, and Madita Determann, a postdoc studying liver-related diseases who began her career as a surgical assistant in Germany.
Both are leaders in OILS (Open Innovation in Life Sciences), a volunteer-run organization that promotes transparency, reproducibility, and collaboration in scientific research. They share how navigating risky career conversations—like negotiating time for unpaid passion projects or walking away from stable jobs to pursue higher education—helped them step into more aligned, impactful roles.
We explore what open science really means (spoiler: it's not yet the default), why reproducible research matters for public health and innovation, and how community-driven efforts like OILS are equipping early-career scientists with tools, confidence, and global connections.
Key takeaways for ambitious women in STEM and leadership:
- Self-advocacy is a service—especially when it aligns you with purpose-driven work.
- “Brazen audacity” is sometimes necessary (and underrated).
- Open, inclusive spaces fuel innovation—and your voice matters in shaping them.
Bonus: Harini and Madita also reveal their favorite hiking spots in the Swiss Alps.
🔗 Learn more about OILS: https://www.openinnovationlifesciences.com/
🔗And their upcoming hybrid conference at OILS 2025 here:
https://www.b2match.com/e/oils2025
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