LabOps Leadership_Anzhelika Kabro: this mp3 audio file was automatically transcribed by Sonix with the best speech-to-text algorithms. This transcript may contain errors.
Kerri Anderson:
By building a platform to share challenges, thoughts from leaders, and network together, the LabOps Leadership podcast is elevating LabOps professionals as well as the industry as a whole.
Samantha Black:
With the intent of unlocking the power of LabOps, we deliver unique insights to execute the mission at hand, to standardize LabOps, and empower LabOps leaders.
Kerri Anderson:
I’m Kerri Anderson.
Samantha Black:
And I’m Samantha Black. Welcome to the LabOps Leadership Podcast.
Samantha Black:
Welcome back, everybody. Today we’re here with Anzhelika Kabro, who is Associate Director of Paraza Pharma. Thanks for joining us today.
Anzhelika Kabro:
Thank you.
Samantha Black:
Awesome, so we’re excited, let’s jump right in. And can you tell everybody a little bit about your background and how you got to where you are today?
Anzhelika Kabro:
Oh, sure. Thank you for the nice introduction. By origin, I am a chemist and originally I got my PhD degree in Russia back in the years. And then I decided to move actually and to get some international experience, which was a few postdocs still in the different fields of organic chemistry, mostly organic and organometallic chemistry in a few different countries in Europe, like in Italy, France, Spain. And then I finally moved to Canada, where, in Montreal especially, there is a big hub of the biotech companies. So it was very attractive for any researcher, especially in the field of chemistry. And here I end up, I ended up, start to work at the early stage of the new company Paraza Pharma, as a scientist first, in the lab, and then over the years, so my, my personal career goals were very aligned with the company growth. And finally today, so I’m an associate director of chemistry department at Paraza.
Samantha Black:
Awesome, so can you just tell us a little bit more about what the company is doing and what their focus is?
Anzhelika Kabro:
Yeah, sure. So Paraza Pharma is a CRO, which normally we call a contract research organization where we’re working in drug discovery programs for different countries, with different clients from all over the world. And …, what we like to say about ourself is that we are not really a typical contract research organization, we are collaborative research organization, and that’s, differentiate us from other, was in Montreal or in Canada, if you wish. What we are doing, as I mentioned, so we are working for the projects, for clients where we are, on different programs, I would say anticancer, for example, or some other disease where we basically help our clients to develop the new drugs, so it’s a clean drug development.
Samantha Black:
From the chemistry perspective, since that’s your area of expertise, I’m wondering like, what challenges is your work like to overcome right now in the drug discovery field and in your organization? What is your particular group maybe innovating on and helping your clients to make their drugs better?
Anzhelika Kabro:
Unfortunately, I cannot say too much in details because the, all projects are confidential … for sure. But, what I can say that from the perspective of the chemist, who the …, or the researcher who is involved in those programs, the challenges are multiple, right? So we are working on the programs where, as a chemist, we synthesize new molecules and titles, so this is challenged by itself. And also there is a growing interest for the diseases that are less investigated, so it’s a lot of unknown things from all perspectives of the project, so that’s daily basis. On another hand, and I wanted to emphasize, so it is very important to collaborate together with the client, let’s say, because as I mentioned, we are a contract research organization at the end of the day, and it’s not always the case when somebody is asking you to help in the project and the data are shared between everybody and it’s a teamwork. So it’s not always as easy, and I think, but this is, I think, the key, and we believe everybody in the company that this is the key, because if information is not circulating, if you are not on the same page all the time together, so that could be just itself the barrier for advance the program, because we can try all together, everywhere in the world to do our little piece of work, but if all those pieces we cannot plug together, so that doesn’t work, it’s not that efficient. I don’t know if you, if it’s clear.
Kerri Anderson:
Yeah, absolutely. So on that note, on being efficient, something I’ve noticed is when LapOps or operations people have good relationships with the scientists, with the chemists. What’s some things that you see that help in order to have those relationships and how the lab operations people can help improve the science within the lab?
Anzhelika Kabro:
Yeah, it’s a good question. Actually, I thought about this before we can talk about this. Maybe hard to answer, but like I said, good relationship, it can start from just simple communication. Simple, because the people who are helping on the operational side, they are not specialists in what we are doing in the lab. And when I’m asking somebody to do, buy for me something to order, to, to provide me some service, so for them, they just don’t know what it is, right? So they just trying to find me what I’m asking them to do. And of course, it does help when those people have some background on the, on let’s say, chemistry or some close to that in this field, that at least they, when we ask them, they understand what we are talking about. So that’s definitely something that we also keep in mind and, because it’s helpful. And the second is really communication. It’s really because it’s not I ask and you order and you provide me, give me and we don’t understand each other. It’s really why do, I always, as I say to all my employees, I always take time to to explain people on all levels when I’m asking the question or more, or when I require something and always take time to explain why I’m doing that, not just do this, do that, and order this, it’s better to explain why, what is behind, for what it is. And then that’s how the experience is growing, right? And for a lab operations person second time to order the same stuff, it can even provide some suggestions because now they understand what it is for, and sometimes we’re looking for alternatives and just simple communication, it’s already good, I have to say. Because now it’s a lot of electronics and we just sending emails or doing teams and the list of tasks is growing and we just asking for me this, buy this, and if you never take time to explain, to talk, that really slow down process sometimes.
Kerri Anderson:
Yeah, yeah I agree. I think it surprises me how many people just go about their day and do things because they’re told to do them, but they don’t understand why.
Anzhelika Kabro:
Yes, exactly.
Kerri Anderson:
Surprising. Yeah, I agree that’s a really important one.
Samantha Black:
I think the personal responsibility, like it goes both ways, right? I think in operations sometimes you’re not, you may be not the expert, but you are an expert in what you do. And so I think having that like mutual respect and ownership is a very healthy relationship to have between team members. And I think it’s very important that everybody feels valued on the team and it’s a chemistry department or whatever department it’s in, but everybody’s a part of that team and I think that’s like a wonderful way to view like each member, regardless of what their title is. And I think we get caught up in that a lot, but it’s nice to have that view of we’re all in a team. And we all have our own areas of expertise.
Anzhelika Kabro:
Yeah, it’s interesting that you’re talking about this, and totally agree. And maybe it’s a good timing to mention also, you know, one just simple example, one project or some project is finished or update about it, what we’re also trying to do, each time, at the end of the presentation or something, there is always a list of people, or in the beginning, who’s participating and as much as you can, and I’m also talking to, within the company, as much as we can, we include the name of those people, not just people who are in the lab, make it worked, the people who helped on every level of that. I’m not talking about the calendar here, but I’m saying about that some people who make just some of this happen. But it is very useful, it is very healthy for everybody to feel it as a team, like you said, and to let them know those people that it’s, because my work was done because of them, right? They provided me what I was needed and they need to know about this. They need to be credit for that and it has to be highlighted at some point. So it is important, I’m happy that you mentioned that.
Kerri Anderson:
I love that because operations is something you often hear is a thankless job. It’s seen as customer service and you’re just in the background. So I think it’s amazing that you’re highlighting those people and taking the time to thank them and make them feel included.
Anzhelika Kabro:
Yeah, and then I can tell you at some point we had, let’s say, a monthly award or something, gift cards, whatever system you can have in the company to highlight the work. And I can tell you that most of the people, when we asked our employees, whom you would highlight for, whom you would highlight, and for the first time, mostly the lab operations people were highlighted as the ones that, because they are the ones that are supporting us on a daily basis and that we need to appreciate that.
Samantha Black:
Love that, I love that, that’s really special. I think for everybody to feel that way and to be the first ones, I think when you are like service center for other people, like internally, sometimes they can feel like you’re not being recognized. So for people to nominate them, I think that’s really cool, I think that’s really special. As a scientist, I’m curious, besides supporting in ordering and making sure everything goes smoothly in the lab, what is maybe an example of a time when the LabOps or operations professional helped you get to like a key point in a project? Because you’re working on these projects, that’s may be different than what of your customers, and so probably there’s a lot of time, deadlines involved. So maybe can you give one example of when, like an ops member like really was crucial for helping you get a project done and crossing the finish line?
Anzhelika Kabro:
Good question. I would say, and it all comes back to the communication, maybe a simple example, ordering. We need to continue to do our work. We need to order a lot of chemicals on a daily basis and from few companies, and of course, when we make our choice, we are trying to get with the company that deliver us the faster the possible, right? But sometimes it’s not the case, sometimes you order from somebody who is on another side of the road and, but you need it, okay? And that’s, then it comes to the, like I said earlier, to communication. … I have an example, when we order out, but I strongly suggest like, okay, let’s come to the company, let’s try to get, it was Christmas time. Okay, so you will get it before Christmas, right? Because, yeah. We are slower, everybody is slower. And then the tow and then the shipping companies are slow, but again, if you contact person and you try to explain the situation that you need it urgently, and then I have to say that in that crucial situation, everybody did excellent work in just communicating, just explaining, We need it as soon as possible. Other side, provider, tried to make it as soon as possible, so we get it as soon as possible. And the person who was in charge on our side did all what we could to provide us the chemical, let say, important chemical, the faster, possible, just making all possible connections, calling the companies, to make it just happen, to make people realize, realize, maybe to ask them that how important it is that the timeline is short, that would be better to get it sooner than later. And that can tell you that just that simple getting sooner than later can advance your project much faster because everything based on the data, right? We are scientists, we are doing something, but then we need the results. So everything, to move project we based on the data. So the faster you get the data, the …, the faster you advance. And I can tell you that, for example, as I said, during the Christmas time, communication, explanations, and trying just to be honest, not to be, not to stay on the papers. You order and it’s not a … business anymore. Just to be real.
Kerri Anderson:
Yeah, and I think that circles back to what you were saying about understanding your why. Because if operations people know that if I get this done as soon as possible, it moves the project forward, it helps motivate them as well.
Anzhelika Kabro:
Yeah, yeah, and yeah, I have to know that when we’re asking that, it’s not because we decided, it’s not because we’re pushy. So because I decided at home to do that, it’s because it is helpful, it is …, and that’s what makes us drive the job, the project, and they know this. Well, we try to let them.
Kerri Anderson:
What’s some advice you could offer to our listeners? I think you’ve had this incredible career, and listening to you, I think you’re an inspiring leader to your team, and so I’m sure they’d love to have some advice from you.
Anzhelika Kabro:
I think where I am, one advice I already said, please take your time to talk to people, to explain them, what are the reasons behind. And I think this is a very good beginning, just to start to put everybody on the same page, to invite everybody to participate, to have this team spirit, to make video of your, of the work that everybody is doing, and then when the work is done, also, it is very important to say how it was runnable and that things are happening because of everybody’s input. So just take time and highlight those things, take time at the beginning of the project …, any individual project, and take your time for appreciation at the end, once again explaining how, maybe explaining the impact, how it is. It was helpful, not just thank you, how it was helpful, how it helped to advance things faster than slower. I think that would be … I have something else to say and otherwise, maybe more practical, planification. I found that a lot, our first run in life, a lot of mandates per day, if you lost in the requires, in the work, so you will never get it done. Planification start to be really crucial and for some people, maybe middle age, not easy right now to learn new techniques, programs that could help, I was still making the posters, and which is good, but anything that can help you to be very organized and plan it well, that really …
Samantha Black:
Yeah, at any point in your career, it doesn’t matter if you’re starting or will establish a new career. I think that’s, yeah, pretty sound advice for everybody. Yeah, no, I think that’s awesome advice, and I think even outside of operations, I think anybody could value that advice. I know for me specifically, that’s one thing that I’m trying to do is take time to recognize people, even in my role. And there’s a lot of visibility that can be brought to the table that I think a lot of people just don’t take the time to do, so that’s one thing personally I’m trying to be better about, is everybody on my team, making sure that they get a spotlight because everybody deserves it, so I think that’s awesome. The last question we have is just where people can find out more about what you’re doing. If they can connect with you, learn from you more, maybe get some additional advice from you. How can people find you and connect?
Anzhelika Kabro:
I’m … you, and you could please share my LinkedIn account, of course. And we do have as a Paraza Pharma … has a website as well, which I can share and maybe can go on your website. Yeah, please, anybody, feel free to reach out and thank you for saying that I am inspiring leaders that, please … What I always say, I would never, feel free to come to contact me, anybody. So LinkedIn, I think it’s the best way, and I always take time to answer or to suggest something because personally I can, from personal experience, I can say that nothing can stop anybody to do anything. So I strongly believe that if you want something, if you, I don’t know, if you want to get the best job ever, if you want to move somewhere, if you want whatever the … you want to get, so it’s on you. Everything is possible, absolutely everything. And my personal career, my life is an example of that, so the moment you decide, it takes some work to do, of course, it’s not happening by itself, but anything is possible. And over the years, I found that contacts make life easier, contacts make life sometimes, just … contacts can, like you say, good advice, I don’t know, some information that you didn’t have before, can give you the idea how it can be different, what you can do, and then it’s just action is needed. So yeah, please free to contact. I’m available.
Samantha Black:
Yeah, I love that. I think everybody should reach out to you. We’re going to link that in the show notes for everybody, so it’d be easy, just one click away. So if anybody is listening this, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and you can find the links there. So I really appreciate this time. This has been great. I think that it’s wonderful to hear this, these concepts, and I think that people are going to be really excited to, to start implementing some of these tactics that you talked about. So thank you so much for joining us today. We are so grateful for you to join us.
Anzhelika Kabro:
Thank you very much, my pleasure.
Samantha Black:
Thanks.
Kerri Anderson:
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the LabOps Leadership Podcast. We hope you enjoyed today’s guest.
Samantha Black:
For show notes, resources, and more information about LabOps Unite, please visit us at LabOps.Community/Podcast. This show is powered by Elemental Machines.
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