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The Lead Candidate

The Lead Candidate

By: Dr Simona Carbone
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Summary

In science we are taught how to become competent researchers. If you are talented and lucky enough to build a strong research profile, you become a leader in your field. This does not, however, automatically make you leader of people and yet so many roles that use science require real leadership. This podcast aims to understand what qualities and experiences make a great leader in different fields of science. What are the differences between those that fall into the role, versus those who were made for it?

© 2026 The Lead Candidate Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success Science
Episodes
  • Leadership with Dr Rachael Brake

    Leadership with Dr Rachael Brake
    May 10 2026

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    Today we have Dr Rachael Brake on the show! Rachael is currently Chief Scientific Officer of Abdera Therapeutics, but has more than 20years in biopharma in a career that has gone from academia-to big pharma and more recently the biotech space.

    She’s sharing how her experiences have helped form her leadership style which is centred on being open to vulnerability and always learning. For the early leaders trying to find your strengths and style, this episode is for you.

    Go to theleadcandidate.com for more info and the interview transcript

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    52 mins
  • Leadership with Prof Sharath Sriram

    Leadership with Prof Sharath Sriram
    Dec 18 2025

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    Today we have Professor Sharath Sriram on the show! Sharath is here to talk about his roles as Chief Scientist of Western Australia, Professor at RMIT University, and long-time advocate for improving Australia’s science and research ecosystem.

    He shares how he’s built a career along two parallel tracks: leading a research lab developing next-generation medical technologies, while also working at a national and state level to fix the systems that support researchers. From academia to policy, Sharath brings a practical, values-driven approach to leadership that’s focused on action, not titles. If you’re interested in leadership in science, research careers, and how policy really works, this episode is for you.

    Go to theleadcandidate.com for more info and the interview transcript.
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    55 mins
  • Leadership with Dr Madusha Peiris

    Leadership with Dr Madusha Peiris
    Sep 8 2025

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    Today we have Dr Madusha Peiris on the show! Madusha is here to talk about her roles as CEO of biotech company Elcella and senior lecturer and group leader at Queen Mary University of London.

    She’s sharing her stories of how Elcella developed over the past 10 years- starting as a basic science project from her academic research through to a product helping patients with weight management. If you’re interested in how a scientific idea can lead to a company, this episode is for you.

    Go to theleadcandidate.com for more info and the interview transcript.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
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