Not every career follows a straight line, and sometimes the opportunities that take you furthest are the ones you never originally planned for.
For Olga Flamini, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Myrtelle, the journey into biotech leadership has taken her from practising medicine in Russia to neuroscience research in the US, and eventually to leading clinical development at a gene therapy company.
In this episode of People Behind Progress by SciPro, Women Building Bio co-founder Gianna Argento sits down with Olga to explore the experiences, decisions and unexpected opportunities that have shaped her career.
Olga began her career as an ophthalmologist in Russia before moving to the US to pursue academic research. After earning her PhD in Neuroscience, she continued building her experience across different areas of science and medicine, eventually joining Myrtelle in 2021 as one of its earliest employees.
Since then, she has progressed from Director of Clinical & Regulatory Program Operations to Chief Medical Officer, taking on new responsibilities and developing expertise along the way.
Throughout their conversation, Gianna and Olga discuss the importance of being willing to step outside your comfort zone, seek out mentors and build relationships that can open doors throughout your career.
They also explore what it takes to transition into leadership, why learning new skills independently can be just as valuable as formal experience, and how career progression doesn't always happen in the way you expect.
Beyond her professional journey, Olga shares her perspective on balancing career ambitions with family life, the importance of women supporting one another in biotech and why striving for perfection in every area isn't always realistic.
Her experience offers a reminder that building a successful career doesn't necessarily mean having every step mapped out from the beginning.
Olga Flamini, MD, PhD, is Chief Medical Officer at Myrtelle, a gene therapy company developing treatments for rare neurological diseases, including Canavan disease.
Olga began her medical career in Russia, graduating with honours from Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry before practising as an ophthalmologist.
She later moved to the United States to pursue academic research, earning a PhD in Neuroscience from Rowan University.
In 2021, Olga joined Myrtelle as one of its earliest employees, initially serving as Director of Clinical & Regulatory Program Operations. She has since progressed to Chief Medical Officer, where she helps guide the company's clinical development strategy.
Alongside her work in biotech, Olga is passionate about mentorship, supporting other women in the industry and encouraging professionals to embrace opportunities beyond traditional career paths.
Women Building Bio is a community founded by Gianna Argento and Nicole Arendt at SciPro, bringing together women across biotech and pharma to connect, share experiences and support one another throughout their careers.
Through community events, industry conversations and the People Behind Progress podcast, Women Building Bio creates opportunities to hear directly from women who are building careers, leading teams and contributing to progress across Life Sciences.
Olga's story is a great example of why we started this community. There is so much to learn from the experiences of other women in biotech, particularly when it comes to navigating career decisions, stepping into leadership and finding your own path.
Follow Women Building Bio on LinkedIn to stay connected with the community and hear about upcoming events, conversations and podcast episodes.
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