Accomplished scientists connect with doctoral students and postdocs through QB3-Berkeley’s Professionals in Residence (PIR) program: each semester, PIR mentors visit campus for daylong residencies that feature career talks, small group advising, and one-on-one opportunities for mentorship for graduate students and postdocs. These accomplished scientists share their expertise on career exploration and job searching with UC Berkeley’s bioscience trainees, covering a wide range of career paths that utilize advanced scientific training.

2023-2024 PIRs

Natalia Caporale, PhD

Associate Professor of Teaching, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

UC Davis

Natalia's event info

Annie Tsong, PhD

Chief Strategy and Product Officer

Amyris

Annie's event info
Headshot of Jaime Yassif.

Jaime Yassif, PhD

Vice President of Global Biological Policy and Programs

Nuclear Threat Initiative

Jaime's profile & advice

Arne Bakker, PhD

Director of Meetings and Community for Science

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Arne's profile & advice

Kara Norman Lino, PhD

Director of R&D, Diagnostic Development

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Kara's Event Info

2022-2023 PIRs

Elizabeth Alcamo, PhD

COO Seawolf Therapeutics and Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Versant Ventures

Katja Brose, PhD

Science Program Officer

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Katja's profile & advice

Miki Yamamoto, PhD

Vice President and Head Of Regulatory Affairs

Arrivent Biopharma

Miki's profile & advice
Headshot of Andy Hsieh.

Andy Hsieh, PhD

Senior research analyst and partner

William Blair & Company, LLC

Andy's profile & advice

Bilge Ozaydin, PhD

Director, Strain Discovery and Development group

Pivot Bio

Bilge's profile & advice

Interested in becoming a PIR? This is what our accomplished scientists are saying about their experience:

  • “My day at UC Berkeley as a PIR reminded me once again about the incredible pool of talent at the University.  The opportunity to encourage them to consider the industry as a career choice hopefully provided them with a more balanced view of the professional opportunities waiting for them to explore.”
  • “This was a great experience…the immediate feedback from the students made it very rewarding.”
  • “I like the idea of giving back to Berkeley… If I can participate in this and help even one person, then I think it’s worthwhile and paying back to all those before me who helped me.”

List of Past PIRs

For more information about the QB3-Berkeley Professionals in Residence program, contact Rosanne Lurie at rlurie@berkeley.edu.