From Lab Bench to Leadership - Finding Purpose and Sustainability Beyond Academia

Episode Overview PhD holders Elle Campbell (Lab Renew) and Patrick Penndorf (Re:Advance) share their journeys from lab benches to leading sustainability initiatives in science. Discover how scientific skills fuel entrepreneurship, reduce lab waste, and build purpose-driven careers beyond academia. Ideal for PhD students exploring non-academic paths, lab managers optimizing workflows, and scientists passionate about green research. Guests Elle Campbell: Master's in Bioanalytical Chemistry (University of Warsaw); leads Lab Renew, a nonprofit helping research labs cut environmental impact through programs, funding, and sustainable strategies in Canada's bioeconomy. Patrick Penndorf: Biochemistry and molecular medicine background; founder of Re:Advance, a German sustainability consultancy teaching scientists greener workflows; popular LinkedIn voice on lab sustainability and science communication. Timestamps 00:00: Intro to Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD – redesigning the lab ecosystem. 00:29: Elle Campbell's pivot from PhD to environmental mission. 01:07: Patrick Penndorf's serendipitous path to Re:Advance. 04:00: Finding purpose: Sustainability as a "why" for scientists. 12:00: Lab-to-CEO: Networking, volunteering, and iterative steps. 17:00: Founder vs. CEO – drive, blissful ignorance, and growth. 21:00: Transferable PhD skills: Problem-solving, data, adaptability. 28:00: Mentorship, family influence, and shifting mindsets. 37:00: Market needs vs. academic rigor in entrepreneurship. 52:00: Overcoming doubts, listening to your path. 54:00: Connect – LabRenew.org, LinkedIn profiles. Key Takeaways Entrepreneurship mirrors PhD research: Set goals, iterate experiments, adapt to data – just like building sustainable programs. Scientists excel in granular problem-solving; break big sustainability challenges (e.g., lab waste) into actionable steps for impact. Networking via societies and volunteering reveals adjacent careers; sustainability differentiates PhD resumes in bioeconomy and consulting. Shift from "truth-chasing" to market solutions: Prioritize efficiency, seek mentors outside academia for faster pivots. Links & Resources Lab Renew: labrenew.org Elle Campbell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elleacampbell/ Patrick Penndorf on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-penndorf/ Re-Advance: https://re-advance.com/ Podcast: Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD Subscribe for more PhD career stories, share if this inspired your green lab transition, and connect with guests on LinkedIn! #PhDCareers #SustainableScience #ScientistEntrepreneurship