This is week 1 of our Women in STEM series in collaboration with Shorla Oncology, where we introduce you to inspiring women making strides in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This week, meet Audrene, a dedicated professional at Shorla Oncology:
Hi Shona Project! My name is Audrene. I’m 30 years old and I was born and raised in Southern California, not far from Los Angeles. I’ve bounced back and forth between California and Ireland over the past 10 years and settled in Ashford, Wicklow about a year ago. I love to cook and to be outdoors and, while Ireland isn’t always great for cooking outdoors, there are loads of inspiration and ingredients in the outdoors to experiment with in the kitchen! There’s a lovely forest walk just up the road, so in my free time, I try to get out for a walk or run with my husband and our overly friendly and exuberant labrador.
From California to Ireland: Audrene’s Journey in STEM
If you told me when I was starting college at 18 that I’d be living in Ireland and working for an oncology company 12 years later, I definitely would have laughed! In high school, I loved physics and mathematics but I was very interested in becoming a doctor, so I focused on science in college and enrolled in the pre-med program. I studied Chemistry and Biochemistry in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, and I applied for medical school at the end of my final year. I was accepted to a school in California, but as I continued to learn more about the profession, I had some doubts on whether it was the right path for me.
Choosing a Career in Bioengineering
I deferred my acceptance to medical school and took a gap year after college to expand my horizons and learn more about my options before making the massive commitment to starting medical training. To keep a long story short, after seeking a lot of advice I ultimately decided not to become a doctor. I did, however, still feel passionate about working in the medical field and finding a way to contribute to the improvement of health and wellness in others. I found the Masters in Bioengineering program at Trinity College, which offered really interesting courses such as biomechanics and medical device design, and thought it provided the perfect opportunity to bridge my educational background with more relevant opportunities in industry.
What It’s Like to Work at Shorla Oncology
Fast forward 6 years and I’m working in pharmaceuticals at Shorla Oncology! I joined as the Pipeline and Portfolio Manager at the end of 2023, and I’m primarily responsible for identifying new oncology products to either develop internally or buy in from another company. I research different drugs and companies, but my research involves more than just the science. I’m looking into intellectual property, the market landscape, regulatory strategy, and many other aspects that feed in to identifying a suitable asset for a pharmaceutical business. Every day is different and every day is a learning day – this is one of my favorite parts about my job. I work within the Research and Development team and I really enjoy the opportunity for collaboration and camaraderie that being part of a team and a small company provides.
Advice for Aspiring Women in STEM
My career journey has been jammed full of discovering how much variety and opportunity there is in STEM. Every year has brought new opportunities, new exposure, and lots of learning. There are so many different aspects to working in STEM that I truly believe there is a perfect role for anyone who has an interest – it just may take time to find it! When I started college in 2012, I was on a one-way track to medical school. It wasn’t that I hadn’t considered other career options, I genuinely wasn’t even aware of them! There are so many interesting and fascinating careers and specialties available in STEM, but don’t be disheartened if you don’t find it on the first try. My advice would be to be curious, ask questions, and keep an open mind – you may be lucky enough to stumble upon a dream you didn’t know you had!
Are you inspired by Audrene’s story? Stay tuned for 4 more stories from women in Shorla Oncology over the coming weeks, and let us know if this is inspiring you to consider exploring your own path in science and technology! x
Shorla Oncology was established in 2018 by co-founders Sharon Cunningham (CEO) and Orlaith Ryan (CTO). Shorla Oncology is an Irish-US speciality pharmaceutical company that develops innovative solutions into effective oncology treatments to improve patients’ lives. The company has an advanced pipeline of innovative oncology drugs for orphan and pediatric cancers. Shorla is focused on indications where existing treatments are limited, in shortage or the drug applications are inadequate for the target population. The company’s growing portfolio brings accessible, affordable and life-saving treatments to patients, delivering a major contribution to patient care. Shorla currently markets two products, Nelarabine Injection for the treatment of T-cell Leukemia and JYLAMVO for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other indications. Recently Shorla Oncologys TEPYLUTE has been approved by the FDA to treat breast and ovarian cancer.
