The Biotech Startups Podcast Cultural Adaptation: A Secret Weapon for Biotech Success | Eswar Iyer (Part 1/4)
Sep 1, 2025
38:02
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"I was just very naive, and I just wanted to get down and do things. I was not thinking of how to finish my PhD fast; I just wanted to do something that was meaningful."
In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Eswar Iyer takes us from his curious childhood in India through academic ups and downs at BITS Pilani and George Mason University to co-founding Aikium, a leader in AI-driven synthetic biology. Eswar shares how creative problem-solving, building custom scientific tools, and resourceful learning environments fueled his growth, while supportive mentors and cultural adaptation guided his path.
His story reveals how adversity and persistence, combined with a resourceful “startup” mindset, inspire innovation and resilience for biotech founders at every stage.
Key topics covered:
- Pivotal Childhood Experiences: Curiosity and hands-on tinkering ignited Eswar’s scientific drive.
- Overcoming Academic Setbacks: Failing ninth grade fueled resilience and deeper learning.
- Mentorship and Inspiration: Support from family and professors guided Eswar’s growth.
- Resourcefulness in Research: Creativity flourished amid constraints and tool-building.
- Navigating Cultural Transitions: Adapting to new environments powered personal and professional evolution.
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Subscribe to the Podcast:
Find our guest, Eswar Iyer, at these links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eswar-iyer/
Website: https://www.aikium.com/
Find our host, Jon Chee, at these links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchee
Learn more about Excedr:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excedr/
Website: https://www.excedr.com
Intro & Outro Songs Created by OkKyojin, Owned by Excedr:
Website: https://flow.page/kyojin
Resources & Articles:
Laser Capture Microdissection Technique: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_capture_microdissection
Microarray Technology: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3467903/
CRISPR Screening Fundamentals: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7036479/
Companies, Universities, & People mentioned:
BITS Pilani: https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/
George Mason University: https://www.gmu.edu/
Lance Liotta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-liotta-5788559b/
Emmanuel Petricoin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emanuel-petricoin-8b4aa04/
Virginia Espina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-ginny-espina-187baa7a/
Ancha Baranova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ancha-baranova-4227b21b/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:01 Eswar's Upbringing in India: A Childhood of Tinkering and Curiosity
06:12 The Pivotal Moment: Failing Ninth Grade and Finding Resilience
08:58 Embracing Curiosity and the Entrepreneurial Mindset
10:36 Early Lab Experience: Challenges and Self-Introspection
13:36 Influential Mentors: Family and the Power of Great Teaching
17:10 Choosing Graduate Studies: Following Passion Over Options
19:56 Getting into George Mason University: Stars Aligning
21:41 Cultural Transition: Moving from India to Virginia
23:49 Finding the Right Lab: From Proteomics to Developmental Biology
29:18 The Startup Lab Experience: Resourcefulness and Innovation
33:13 PhD Challenges and Triumphs: Patents and Problem-Solving
36:44 Outro
The Biotech Startups Podcast gives you a front-row seat to the business and science of building a biotech. Hosted by Jon Chee, CEO of Excedr, the show features honest conversations with founders, execs, and investors about their work, their companies, and how they got there. From scientific breakthroughs to startup lessons, each episode explores what it really takes to grow a life science company—from pre-seed to IPO.