Wondering where a career in life sciences might lead you? Join us for a lively and honest conversation with professionals from across the industry—academia, biotech, biopharma, and clinical research—who will share how they got started, made career pivots, and built successful paths in their fields. This isn’t just about job titles but real experiences, challenges, and insights that can help you navigate your own journey. Students figuring out next steps, professionals thinking about a shift, or anyone curious about the possibilities in science and biotech will leave with practical advice and a clearer picture of what’s out there and how to get there.

Disclaimer: This event may be recorded. If so, your image and/or voice may be a part of that recording. If you do not wish for your image to be included, please turn off your camera.

Speaker Bios

Judit Kiss, PharmD, Principal Scientist at Open Book Extracts

Judit is a versatile R&D professional with over 20 years of experience across the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and cannabinoid wellness industries. Her career has spanned roles from compounding pharmacist to formulator for Estée Lauder and founder of Priya Apotheca, a plant-based wellness brand grounded in holistic healing. Today, Judit leads cannabinoid product development at Open Book Extracts, focusing on innovative, therapeutic formulations—from gummies to beverages—using advanced water-soluble systems. She is passionate about the power of plant-based medicine and is dedicated to creating functional, accessible products that promote well-being and improve lives.

Kelly Konemann, Head of Site Quality at CSL

A lifelong enthusiast of science, she has been passionate about the field since childhood. Encouraged and mentored by exceptional science teachers throughout high school, she went on to pursue a degree in Microbiology and earned a BS in biology from Michigan Technological University in 1991. Her career began in academic research at Wayne State University, where she contributed to studies on herpesviruses. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, launching what has become a 33-year—and counting—career. Her early professional years were spent at Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Company, supporting the manufacturing of flu vaccines, sterile injectables, and ophthalmic products. In 1996, she joined Centeon (now CSL Behring) in Kankakee, Illinois. Over nearly three decades at the Kankakee facility, she has held leadership roles across quality, manufacturing, and supply chain, including spearheading a major global ERP implementation project. This cross-functional background has equipped her with a well-rounded and strategic perspective. She currently serves as the Kankakee Quality Site Head, where she leads with a strong commitment to excellence and collaboration.

Chelsea Merkel, Product Manager at Revvity

Chelsea is a reformed academic with a PhD who has transitioned from the lab to the frontlines of healthcare innovation. She brings a deep foundation in research, critical thinking, and data analysis to her work, applying these skills to drive meaningful improvements across the healthcare ecosystem. From the bench to the desk to the bedside, Chelsea is passionate about developing evidence-based, human-centered solutions that enhance patient care, inform better decision-making, and bridge the gap between science and real-world impact.

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