[Date: 22 October 2024]
Careers in IP, Innovation and Commercialisation
We invited Dr Shuwen Koh to share her career journey with our ECRs. Dr Koh is currently the Deputy Group Chief Technology Officer at the National University Health System (NUHS) and Director of Innovation, IP Management, and Commercialisation at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where she works with the extended research community to develop practice-changing innovations. She also manages Artemis Pte Ltd, the investment vehicle that supports promising NUHS Healthtech spin offs.
She shared her reflective journey through the PhD process, offering attendees practical strategies for navigating the complexities of career development and embracing diverse career paths.
Journey Through the PhD and Exploring Alternative Career Paths
Shuwen shared her background in material science (undergraduate) and biomaterials research (PhD), highlighting how she took a graduate-level immunology course during her PhD studies despite lacking formal prerequisites, as she did not have A-level or O-level biology. After completing her PhD, she chose not to pursue a postdoc, instead opting to change her career direction to expand her opportunities beyond academia. She felt that a career in academia would not be a good fit for her. She recounted observations that a peer completed three postdocs before finally securing a tenure-track position, illustrating the struggles and long winding paths often tied to an academic career. Emphasising the importance of self-care, she credited the graduate career office at the University of California, Los Angeles for providing essential guidance and resources that enabled her to align her career decisions with her values and goals. With their guidance, she became aware that there are various, diverse options for PhDs, such as medical writing, technology transfer, technology consulting, and patent law etc.
Shuwen started her career at the Economic Development Board (EDB) growing biomedical investments before moving to helm the Singapore office of ImaginAb Inc. She then took on the general manager and corporate strategy role at Endofotonics to restructure the then-fledgling start-up and raised $2M with a new business plan. Sharing her experiences at the EDB and with startups, she encouraged participants to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges and have the courage required to pivot into new fields while balancing sacrifices, such as starting with lower salaries, to gain long-term fulfilment.
She highlighted the importance of recognising transferable skills and embracing continuous learning to overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome. In today’s interdisciplinary scientific landscape, she stressed the value of problem-solving and data analysis skills across various fields.
The Importance of Self-Knowledge and Feedback
Shuwen emphasised self-awareness as a cornerstone of career development and discussed how identifying blind spots through feedback can foster personal and professional growth. Her adaptability and willingness to reinvent herself demonstrated the importance of lifelong learning in a dynamic career landscape.
Building a Career Network and Seeking Opportunities
Shuwen underscored the role of networking in career success, encouraging participants to cultivate relationships with industry professionals through internships and informal meetings. She also highlighted the importance of tailoring a CV to specific job markets to stand out in competitive fields.
Dr Shuwen Koh’s seminar provided attendees with an inspiring blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, emphasising adaptability, self-awareness, and proactive planning. Her candid reflections and actionable advice encouraged researchers to explore diverse career opportunities, embrace continuous learning, and take bold steps toward building fulfilling careers beyond academia.