Episode Description
"Four years at Penn State will fly by—embrace every moment, seek help when needed, and never underestimate the power of curiosity and giving back." Explore how Dr. Ryan Henrici ’15 Science transitioned from a student with a passion for science and sports to a pioneering physician, scientist, and entrepreneur driving groundbreaking biotech innovations. In this episode, Ryan shares his inspiring path, lessons on work-life balance, mentorship, and the transformative power of philanthropy.
Key Topics
- Ryan’s early ambitions: swimming, architecture, and medicine.
- The pivotal moments in medical research and clinical impact.
- Navigating lab opportunities and research at Penn State.
- The influence of mentorship and cultural lessons in science.
- The unique structure and advantages of UK and US doctoral programs.
- How AI and machine learning are shaping drug development.
- Integrating medical training with entrepreneurial ventures.
- The importance of storytelling and organizational skills in science.
- Strategies for maintaining balance and fulfillment outside of work.
- The value of philanthropy and giving back to the community.
Ryan Henrici ’15 Science is Vice President of Discovery Medicine at BigHat Biosciences where he is using machine learning and AI approaches to design safer and more effective antibody medicines for patients with cancers, infections, and rare diseases. Ryan was one of the earliest team members and helped grow the team to more than 100 employees today and raise more than $110 million dollars to support developing the BigHat therapeutic portfolio. He oversees the immunology research team and the creation of new drug programs through the initiation of Phase 1 studies in humans. Ryan is also an Adjunct Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine where he teaches foundational biology and medicine to first year medical students and supports clinical research activities at the intersection of inherited, benign blood disorders and infectious diseases.
He earned a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with Honors from Penn State’s Eberly College of Science in 2015, a PhD in Infectious and Tropical Diseases from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine as a Marshall Scholar in 2018, and an MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 2021.
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Credits & Notes:
This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Sarah Taylor '27. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.